Sir, - Catholic canon lawyer Dr Maurice Dooley makes an important valid point, in my opinion, in relation to our State's new marriage regulations, though I think he could have put his point better.
Essentially it is the difference between "may" and "must". Our church officials may refuse to officiate at the marriages of couples aged under 18 or who have not given three months' notice. Under the new regulations our State officials must refuse to officiate in such cases, unless the couples are exempted after the expense of a judicial hearing.
Our church presumes that couples are qualified to marry unless they (church officials) can prove otherwise, that is, they are presumed innocent until proven guilty (by the officials). Our State presumes they are not qualified unless they (the couple) can prove otherwise, that is, they are presumed guilty until they (the couple) can prove innocence. - Yours, etc.,
Sandford Road,
Ranelagh,
Dublin 6.