Economy: Owerri Catholic Archdiocese pegs wedding fees at N22,500 …Abolishes certain fees

By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

In view of the economic situation of the country, the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri has given directives on fees that should be paid for weddings in it’s dioceses, saying it cannot be more than N22,500.

They also in the same vein abolished certain charges such as Marriage Course registration fees, fuel/diesel fees, among others

This was disclosed in a letter dated Thursday, August 15, 2024, signed by the Archbishop of Owerri, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, and made available to Newsmen.

The letter which its content is said to take immediate effect reads:

“To ensure uniformity, equal access to the sacrament of marriage and unambiguity in the collection of its stole fees in Owerri Archdiocese, I, Iucius Iwejuru Ugorji, Archbishop of Oweri, hereby give the following directives:

“The official stole fee or the Sacrament of Matrimony as ratified by the Catholic Bishops’ of Owerri Ecelesiastical Province is N 2.500.00 (cf. Can.1264, 2”). This is the basic stole fee for all parishes, chaplaincies and special jurisdictions within the Archdiocese of Owerri, till further notice.

“Parishes, chaplaincies and special jurisdictions may also collecet the following fees from intending couples for marriage:
“N10,000.00 for the Choir, N5,000.00 for the CYON (N 2,500.00 for parish ad quem and N 2,500.00 for parish ad quo), N5,000.00 for the Mary League Girls’ Association (non-Member): (N 2,500.00 for parish ad quem and N 2,500.00 for parish ad quo).

“Therefore, the total amount of money that may be colected for Marriage in Oweri Archdiocese is N22,500.00 ONLY. No parish priest, chaplain or Administrator of special jurisdiction is permitted under any guise to collect any amount of money that exceeds the above stipulated amount (Can. 848).

“The practice of collecting money for registration of wedding transters/reception of file, clerical work, marriage course and fuel/diesel, is hereby abolislhed.

“The reply to Banns of Marriage should NEVER be accompanied with a particular sum of money from any parish or priest. In the event of any imposition or forceful collection, the couple is free to apply to the Archbishop for dispensation from the Banns of Marriage.

“Mass or Retreat Weddings are to be conducted free of charge. There should be no collection of any levy whatsoever for this purpose. This is to ensure that the needy are not deprived of equal access to the sacrament of marriage (cf. Can. 848)

“The practice of unauthorised post-nuptial thanksgiving after post-communion prayer as well as calls for cash donation and support at Wedding Masses is hereby abrogated. Couples are however free to come for thanksgiving on the Sunday after their wedding.

“These directives should be taken seriously by all parish priests, chaplains and administrators of special jurisdictions. The lay faithful are hereby mandated to report any irregularities contrary to these directives.”