AN ACTio amend Ih~ Marriag/! Ad, Cap. 255. (rjkonnui)

I assent.

Uoo MIFSUD BONNIC!

President

3rd March, 1995

ACTNo.lofl99S

AN ACTio amend Ih~ Marriag/! Ad, Cap. 255.

BE IT ENAC I EO by the President, by and with the advice and

con~nl of the House of Representatives, in this present Parliament

assembled. and by the authority of the same , as follows:-

(I) This Act may be cited as the Marriage (Amendment)

Act, 1995, and shaU be read and construed as one with lhc Marriage Act,

hereinafter referred 10 as " the principal Act".

(2) The provisions of this Act shall come into force on such

dale as the Minister responsible for justil.:e may by notice in the Gazelle

establish and different dales mlly be so established for different pro-

visio ns and differen t PUt poses of this Act.

Subsection (I) o f section 2 o f the principal Act shall be

amended as foll ows

(a) immediatel y after the definition "act of marriage" there

sha ll be inserted the fOllowing

.. " Agreement" means the Agreement between the Holy

Sec: and Malta on the Recognition of Civil Effects to Canonical

Marriages and to the Decisions of the Ecclesiastical

Authorities and Tribunals about the Same Marriages, as well

as the Protocol of Application thereto, both signed in Malta o n

the 3rd February 1993, as we ll as the Second Additional

Protocol the reto signed in Malta on the 6th January , 1995,

which Agreement and protocols are reproduced in the

Schedule to this Act ;",

"Canon law" means the Code of Canon Law promulgated

by the competent organs of the Catholic Church an d any other

rule of law sohowe\'er called of the said Church relative [0

marriage;

"Catholic Marriage" mea ns a marriage celebrated in

accordance with the nonns a nd fonnalities o f Canon Law or

with a dispensatio n there from granted by the competent o rgan

in accordance with Canon law ....

(b) immediately after the defin ition " Minister" the re shall be

inserted the following defin ition

.. "parish priest" for the purposes of this Act includes also

a ny ecclesiastic who according to Canon Law. is eq uivalent to a

parish priest o r substitutes a parish priest;" and

(c) immediatc'iy after the definition " Registrar" there shall

be added the following defin ition

•• "Tribunal" for the purposes of sections 23, 24, 29and 30

means the competent cou rt o r co urts which in accordance with

Canon Law applica ble at the time can pronounce 00 the

validity o f a Catholic Marriage ....

J. For section 3 of the prin ci pal Act the re shall be substituted the

following

( I) A marriage contracted between pe rsons either

of whom is und er the age of sixteen shall be void .

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-

sectio n (I) of this section, a person who is subject to pate mal

aut ho rity or 10 tutorship may no t validl y contract marriage

wit ho ut the consent of the person aercising such authority,

o r of the tutor, as the case may be .

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection

(2) o f th is section the Court of Voluntary J urisdiction within

whose jurisdiction the minor habitually resides, may upon

good cause being shown, authorise the celebration of a

marriage referred to in th at subsection, where the consent of

th e person exercising patemaJ authority or of the tutor. as the

case may be, is not fonhcoming; and for the purposes of

proceedings in connection with this subsection paragraph (a)

of section 781 of the Code of Organisation and Civil Pro-

ced ure shall not apply.".

Section 5 o f the principal Act , shall be amended as follows

(a) the present provision shall be re numbered as subsection

(1) lhereof;and

(b) immediately afte r suhscction (1) as renumbered there

shall be added the followi ng

"(2) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section .

the relationship o f an adopted person shall be deemed to

subsist both with reference to his natural and to his adoptive

family.

"(3) The Court of Volun tary Jurisdiction within whose

jurisdiction ei th er of the spouses resides may upon good cause

beins shqwn dis pe nse from the provisions of paragraphs (c)

and (d) o f subsection (1) of this section.".

S. In subsection (8) o f section 7 of the principal Act . for the

words "has been produced to him" there shall be substituted the words

" has bee n produced to him ; and that certificate or a ccrti(kate issued in

terms of section 10 o f Ihis Act shall be final and conclusi ve proof of its

contents.".

For section 12 of the principal Act there shall be substituted

the follow ing

( I) Registration is not esse ntiaJ to the vaJidity of

"Rcs''''' -

lio<J of

marriage.

marriall'"

(2) Registration shall no t opera te as to vaJidate a

marriage which. indepe ndently of such regist rat ion is null.

(3)

A marriage shall not have effect for any

purpose o f Jaw unless and unti l the appropriatc act of

marriage is completed and de live red for registration in

accordance with the provisions of sections 293 and 294 of the

Cap. t6.

Civil Code .··.

7. For the words " A religious marriage" in subsection (1) of

section 17 o f the pri ncipal Act there shall be substitu ted the words

"Saving the provisio ns of section 21 of this A ct . a reli giOUS marriage".

8. lm med iatcly after section 190f th e princi pal Act the re shall be

added th e following ncw section

"A nnul-

( I) A valid marriage may be annulled at the

ment of

marria3<' on request of o ne of the spouses on the grounds that the othe r

w ... ~ party has refused to consummate the same .

of """...,.. .

... mm'lion.

(2) The provisionsof subscetion (2) of section 19

shall app ly to an action for the aim ulm ent of a marriage

referred to in subsectio n (1) of this section as it appli es to an

actio n for the an nulmen t of a marriage th erein referred to.

(3) An action for the annu lment of a marriage

unde r th is section may not be instituted before the lapse of

three months from the date of the celebrJtion of the

•

marrmge

9. Sections 2 1. 22. 23 and 24 of the pri nci pal Act shall be

renumbered respectively as sections 33. 34. 35 and 36.

10. Immediately afte r section 200f the principal Act the re shall be

inserted the following new sections

" Catholic Marrlllle!l

( I) A marriage celebrated in Malta after the

coming in to force o f this section , in accordance with the

M.m.,.. no rms and fo rm alities established by Canon Lawshall as from

the mome n! of its celebration , be recogn ised and have the

same ci vil effe~ts as a marriage celebra ted in accordance with

the nonns and formali ties of th is Act.

(2) The provisions o f SUbsection (1) of this section

shall apply only where

(a) The ba nns req uired by this Act have been

either published o r dispensed with in accordance wi th

sections 7 to 10 of this Act and the Registrar has issued a

ce rti ficate altesting such publica tion or dispensatio n;

(b) the parish priest who in accordance with

Canon Law has j urisdiction in the place wbere the

marriage was celebrated transmits to the Director of the

Public Registry an Act o f Marriage in the form as may be

prescribed duly signed by such aut hori ty as is provided

for in the Agreemen t; and

(c) no im pedi men t to the marriage as is referred 10

in sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Act, subsists. So howeve r

th at the competen! o rgans of the Catholic Church may

for the purpose o f Catholic Marriages under this Act

grant au thorisations or dispe nse from the restrictions in

subsection (2) of section 3 and paragra phs (c) and (d) of

subsection (I ) of section S.

(3) The ce rtificate referred to in paragraph (a) of

subsection (2) he reof shall constit ute defin ite and wndusive

proof of its contents.

(I) Notwi th standin g anything contained in this

Act o r in th e Civil Code rela tive to the procedure whe reby,

Marriage. and the term in wh ich . an Act of Marri age is to be registered .

the Parish Priest referred to in paragraph (b) of subsection (2)

of section 2 1, shall transmit to the Public Registry the Act of

Marriage therei n referred to for registration within five

working days of the celebration o f th e marriage.

(2) Fail ure 10 transmit the Act of Marriage for

registra tion as is provided for in subsection (1) of this section

shall not be a n obstacle to such tra nsmission after the lapse o f

such te rm . Eithe r spouse may at all times demand tha t such

tran smission be effected by the Parish Priest who shall remai n

at all tim es obliged to effect such transm ission.

(3)

W hen the Act of Marriage has bee n trans·

mitted to the Pu blic Registry, the Director of the Public

Registry shall ascertain that the provisions o f seclion 21 of this

A ct apply to the marriage, and upon having so ascertained he

shall register the Act which shall be deemed for all effects at

law to be an Act of Marriage referred to in section 12 of this

Act. Upon registration of th e: Act of Marriage the Director of

the Public Registry shall, as soon as may be , give notice o f

such registration to the Parish Priest transmitting the Act of

Marriage .

(4) A marriage which is recognised in accordance

with section 21 of Ihis Act shall upon transmission and regis-

tration of the Act of Marriage be recognised as from the

moment of its celebration. Such recognition shall nol, how-

ever, prejudice any property righ ts lawfully acquired by third

parties in good faith before the transmission of the Act of

Marri age as aforesaid in this section, where such Act of

Marri age is lransmilted aher the expiry of the term refe rred to

in subsection (I) hereoL

(1) A decision which has become executive, given

by a tribunal, and declaring the nullity of a Catholic Marriage

shall , where one of the parties is domiciled in, or a citizen of,

Tribo.uIab. Malta , and SUbject to the provisions of section 24 of this Act

be recognised and upon its registration in accordance with the

said section 24 shall have effect as if it were a decisio n by a

Court and which has become fa j udicata.

(2) An executive decision given by a tribunal and

uphOlding the validity of a Catholic Marriage shaJl, where o ne

of th e parties is domiciled in, or a citizen of, Malta, and

subject to the provisions of section 24 of this Act be

recognised and upon its registration in accordance with the

said sectio n 24 shall have effect as if it were a decision by a

Court and whi ch has become re; judicalQ and as such shall not

be subj ect to re-exami nation on the same grounds.

(I) Registration of a dc\:ision as is referred to in

sectio n 23 o f this Act shall be effected by the Court of Appeal .

(2) A req uest for such registration shaJl be made

by application filed in th e Registry of the said Court, and

which shall be served on thc Director of th c Public Registry

and where it is presentcd by one only of the spouses, on the

othe r spouse.

(3) The respondents shall have a right 10 file a

reply within twelve worki ng days o f the service upon them o f

the application .

(4)

Toget he r wit h the applicat ion, the applica nt

shall file

(a)

an authe nt ic copy of Ihe decision

(b) a decla ration of executivilY acco rding 10

Ca non Law issued by thc Tribunal that has givcn the

decision.

(5) The Court of Appeal registers that decision by

givi ng a decree declaring the decision enforceable in Malta;

such decree shall not be given unless th e CoUTt of Appeal is

satisfied that

(i)

the Tribunal was com pete nt 10 judge the case

o f nullity of the marriage insofar 85 the marriage was a

Catholic Marriage ; and

(ii) duri ng and in the proceedings before the

Tribunal the re was assured 10 the parties the right o f

action and defence in a ma nner substan tially not

dissimilar to the principles of the Constitution of Malta;

.od

(iii) there does not exist a contrary judge ment

binding the parties pronounced by a court , and which has

become res judicata, based on the same grounds of

nullity; and

(iv) in the case of a marriage celebrated in Malta

after the 11th August. 1975, there has been delivered or

transmitted 10 the Public Registry the Act o f M arriage

laid down by this Act; and

(v) in the case of a decision delive red o n or a fter

the 16th J uly , 1975, but before the coming into force of

this section , the request for recognition is presen ted by

both spouses; o r where it is presented only by one of the

spouses it is satisfied that the other spouse does nOI

o ppose the registration of th e decision .

(6) Notwi thstand ing the provisions of paragraph

(v) of subsection (5) of this section where a request for the

registration of a deciston as is referred to in subsection (1) of

section 23 of this Act issued by a tribunal on o r after the 16th

J uly, 1975 but before the coming into force of this sectio n , is

made by one only of the spouses, and the o ther spouse

o pposes such registratio n , the Court of Appeal shall give the

spouse opposing such registration a term nOI exceedi ng two

months within which the spouse opposing such registration

may prese nt a plea, in accordance with Canon Law

applicable, befo re the competent Tribunal 10 have the

decision revo ked; and the Court of Appeal shall o nly registe r

that decision where the party opposing the registra tion has

not entered the plea in the term established , or has en tered

the plea bu t the same was rejected or the decision declaring

the marriage null was confirmed by the Tribunal.

A decree given by the Ro man Pontiff " rupu

matr;monio ralO et non cOl'ISumnuzto", w hcn one of the

spouses is domiciled in or is a ci tizen o f Malta, shall, subject to

the provisions of section 26 o f this Act, be recognised and

upon its registration in accordance with the said section 26,

shall have effect as if it were a decision give n by a Court and

which has become rts judicata an nulli ng a marriage o n the

grounds o f non-consumma tion, in accordance with section

19A of th is Act.

( I) RegisIT3tion of a decree as is rderred to in

section 2Sorthis Actshall be effected by the Court of Appeal.

(2) A request for such registra tion shall be made

by application accompanied by an authentic copy of the

pontirical decree filed in the Registry of the said Coun, and

wh ich shall be served o n the Di rector o f the Public Registry

and where it is presented by one only of the spo uscs, on the

othe r spouse.

(3) The responde nts shall have a righ t to file a

repl y within lWelve working days of service upon the m of the

application.

(4) (a) Regist rat io n shall be effected by an order

of the Court of A ppeal decl aring the decree of the

Roman Pontiff enforceable in Malta.

(b) The Court o f Appeal sha ll register the

decree ifit is satisfied that it refen to a Catholic Marri age

which was celebrated after the coming into force of this

section and either o f the spouses is domiciled in or is a

citizen o f Malta.

(5) Notwithsta ndi ng the provisions of subsection

(4) hereo f. the Court o f Appeal shall give a decree which

re fen to a Catholic marriage celebrate~ before the coming

into force o f th is section where the applica tion therefo r is filed

by both spouses, or where it is filed by one only of the

spouses, the o ther spouse does nOI oppose the registrat ion.

The provisions o f subsection (2) of sec tion 19 of this

Act shall apply to applica tions made in terms of sections 24

and 26 of this Act .

In the course of an application under sections 24

and 26 o f thi s Act the Co urt of Appeal shall no t go into the

merits of the case leadi ng to the decision o r the decree the

registra tion of which is dem an ded in the ap pl ication but shal l

limit itself to ascertain if the requirements of this Act for the

registra tion req uested exist.

(I) Whe re Ihe evidence of any person is required

before a Tribunal. any of the parties may requcst the Civil

Court , Firsl Hall to order that the evidence of such person be

heard by o nc of the su pplementary judges or magistrates

according to the residence of the wilness, and upon such

order being given the Court shall fix a dale for the hearin g o f

the witness before the supple mentary judge in the manne r

provided in sections 606 and fIJ7 of the Code ofOrganivltion

and Civil Pi\Xtdure.

(2) The parties to the case before th e Tribunal

shall be notified o f the date fi1l:ed for the hearing of the witness

before the supplementary judge or magistrate and may be

present and be assisted by an advocate or legal procurator.

(3) Any deposilion taken in the manne r provided

in the preceding subsectio ns shall also be signed by the

supplementary judge or magistrate and deposited in the

Registry of the Court. The Registrar shall give official copies

of any evidence so registercd to any of the parties or the

Chancellor o f the Tribunal .

(4) Subseclions (4) and (5) of section 610 of Ihe

said Code shall apply to evidence taken under this seelion .

(5) All the provisions of the Code o f Organisatio n

and Civil Procedure and of any other law relating to the

admissabili ty of evidence and 10 the competence and

compellability of witnesses. as well as to privileged

comm unicat ions, shall apply to evidence taken under this

section as they apply to evidence of witnesses before the Civil

C(XI rt First Hall.

(1) Where Ihe Tribunal decrees the acceptance of CounoIO

a petition whereby a case for the declaration of nullit y of a ....,..-ne!

Catholic Marriage celebrated after the coming into force o f :"he":'

this SCelion, is iniliated before sueh Tribu nal, the Chancellor .... "r. if,

of the Tribunal or his substitu te shall deliver a certificate of before I

sueh acceptance, duly authenticated , to the Registrar o f the

Superior Courts who shall keep the same in an appropriate

register.

(2) Upon the registration as is refened to in

subseelion (1) o f this section, Ihe Court shall ccase to be

competent to deal with the matter; and where an aelion is

pending before the Court for the declaration o f nullity of a

marriage in relation to which a certifate has been delivered

to lhe Registrar in accordance wilh subsection (1) , the Court

shall suspend the hearing of the case before it , and may not

resu me hearing lhe case and, in any CI$C, shall not again be

competent until the said case has, in accordance with the

procedures o f the Tribunal, been withdrawn horn before the

Tribunal or been declared abandoned .

(3) It shall be the duty of the Registrar 10 bring 10

the noticc of the Court any certificate wtrich refers to that

case, delivered to him in aCQ)rdance with subsection (1) of

this section, as weU as any decision relative thereto,

registered in terms of section 24 of this Act.

(4) Where an action for the declaration of nullity

of a Catholic Marriage is brought before a Court, the Court

shall ascertain its competence in tenns of this Act.

(1) Where a person who is served with a n

application as is refe rred 10 in sections 24 and 26 of this Act

does not oppose the req uest for registration within the lerm

prescribed for filin g a reply, he shall be deemed to have

admitted the application.

(2) When all the parties to an application have

admi tted the same, the Court shall not put the application for

hearing but shall give the re lative decree " in comtro".

Sections 11 to 17 of this Act shall not apply 10

Catholic: Ma rriages celebrated a fter the coming into force o f

this section ....

11 . In section 35 of the pri ncipal Act. as renumbe red by this Act .

for the wo rds "Canon Law shall" there shall be substi tuted the words

" Without prejudice to sections 21 to 31 of this Act , Canon Law shall".

12. In section 36 of the principal Act as renumbered for the words

"sections 18. 19 and 20 and o f subsectio n (1 ) of section n " the re shall be

substitut ed the words "sections 18. 19, 19A, 20 and 35 of this Act ".

13. Immediately after section 36 o f the pri ncipal Act as

ren umbered . th ere shall be added the following new section

( I) The Governme nt may e nter into agreements

wit h ot her churches, religions o r denominatio ns rega rding

the recognition of marriages celeb rated in accorda nce wit h

the rules and no nns of that church . religion or de nomination ,

and declarations of nullity or annu lment of such marriages by

the o rga ns of such church, religion o r denomination having

authorit y in acco rdance with its rules .

(2) Such agreements shall confonn substantially

to thl: provisions of th e Agree ment between th e Holy See and

Malta re ferred to in this Act.

(3) When an agreement as is referred to in the

preceding subsection has been entered into by the

Government, the Minister responsible for justice may make

an order extending the provisions of this Act, with such

modifications as may be req uired, 10 marriages cdebrated in

accordance with the rul es and norms of such church, religion

or denomi natio n, and its declaration of nullity o r

annulment ... .

14. For the purposes of the Ratification of Treaties Act, the A.,ilic:lliooo

Government is hereby aUl horised 10 .r~tify the ~~reeme nt between ,the ~-;:m<n' .

Holy See and Malta on tbe recogmllon of CIVIl effects to canonical

marriages and to the decisions of the ecclesiastical au thorities and

Tribunals about the same marriages.

IS. Immediately after section 37 of the principal Act , there shall Addition 01

be added the following Schedule

"SCHEDULE

(Section 2)

AGREEMENT BETWEEN

RECQGNmON OF ClVlL

AND TO DECISIONS OF

AU'IliORlTIES AND

TRIBUNALS ABOUT TIlE SAME MARRIAGES

(The Agreement is in the Italian and E nglish languages).

La Santa Sede e la Repubblica di Malta,

-

tenendo conto, da parte de lla Santa Sede, della douri na cauolica sui

matrimonio, come ~ anche espressa nel Codice di Diritto Canonico, nonche

dell'insegnamemo del Concilio Ecumenico Vaticano 1I sulle relazioni Ira la

Chiesa e 10 Stato e, da parte della Repubblica di Malta, dei principi sanciti nella

Costit uzione di Malta;

-

volendo assicura re, nel rispeuo dei diriui fondamentali dell'uomo e dei

valori della famiglia basata suI matrimonio, una libera scelta in mate ria

matrimonia1e;

hanno riconosciuto l'oppon unittl di addivenire ad un aecordo sui riconoscimento degli

effetti civili ai matrimoni canonici e aUe decisioni delle Autorittl e dei tribunali

ecclesiastici circa gH stessi matrimoni.

A tale fine la Santa Sede, rapprcse ntata da Mons. Pier Luigi Celata , Arcivescovo

titolare di Doclca. Nunzio Apostolico a Malta, e la Repubblica d.i Malta, rappresentata

dal Pro f. Guido de Marco, Vice Primo Minist ro e Ministro per gli Affari Esteri , hanno

stabilito, di comune inlesa , quanto seguc.

Articolo I

Sono rioonosciUli gti effeni civiti ai matrimoni c:elebra ti I Malla secondo le norme

I.

canoniche della Chiesa Cattolica'. da l momento de la loro cclebrazione, a ccndizione

che

a} risuhi da un atteslato del "Marriage Registrar che sono stale eseguilc le

H

pubblicazioni richiestc dalla Jegge civile. 0 che vi t 51ata dispensa dalle Slesse,

costit uendo tale allestato una prova definitiva cd insindacabile della regolarit! delle

pubhlica:tioni 0 dell. dispensa daUe stesse

b) il Parroco delluogo dove t stalo celebrato il matrimonio trasmetllll Regislro

Pubblico un ese mplare originale dell ' allO di malrimo nio redano nella forma stabi lils di

oomune intesa fra le Alle Parti , e sottoscrillo dall'Ordinario delluogo 0 dal Parroco 0

dalloro Delegato, che ha assistito alla celebrazione del matrimonio.

2. La Santa Scde prende allo che la RepubbJica di Malla ricoOOSCC' gli elfe: ni civili

dei ma lrimoni tanonici quando non sussista fra i contrae: nt i un impedimento che,

sc:condo la 1egge: civile, produca la nu lliti!. de: I malrimonio e: che la sless. legge civile

consideri inde:rogabile: 0 no n dispensabile.

Anicolo2

I. L'atto di matrimonio de:ve essc:re Irasmesso al Regislro Pubblico per la debita

trascritione enlro cinque giomi util i da lla celebrazione del matri monio.

2. Qual ura la Inlsl1li~ ionc llcU'allo di nmuirnoniu nlln venga dfetl uatll cntm iI

tcrmine stabilito, rimane: robbligo de l Parroco di e Uetllmda al piu presto pmsibile, Le

pa n i, 0 anche una di esse, hanno se: mpre: il diritlo di chiedere lale trasmissione, La

trasmissione: tard iva non osta alia Irao;criliune,

3. Ove consti che le: condizioni Slabilile neU'anicolo I siano state soddisfatte, il

Dirc:uore: de:I Re:gistro Pubblico trascrive ra tto di matrimonio e, I1 piu presto possibile,

ne di!. notizia in iscriuo al Parroco,

Articolo 3

La Repubblica di Malla riconosce per tuni gli effe:tti civili , nei lennini del presente

Accordo, le sc:nte:nze di nullh.l e i de:creli di ratifica di nullitl di matrimonio e:messi dai

lribunali ecc1esiaSlici e dive:ntati ese:cutiyi.

An icolo 4

I. Ai fini del riconoscimento degli elfetti civili di cui aU'a rticolo 3, la Santa Sede

prende: allo che

a) dal mome:nlo in cui vie ne nOlificata al " Registrar of Counsh I'acccnazione, da

parte della Cancelle:ria dei tribunal i ecclesiastici, della domanda presentata da alme no

una de lle pa n i per o ltene re la dichiarazio ne di nu llil i!. di un matrimonio canonico

c:c:le:brato dopo l'e:ntrata in vigore de l presc:nte Accordo , ~ riconosciu ta unicamente agli

stc:ssi t ribunali ecdesiastici la compete:nza di decide:re: in me:rito, purch~ i tribun ali civili

non abbiano gil emanalO una sente:nza passala in giudicato, basata sugli stessi capi di

nullilllo

A

b) qualora risulli che sia SI8111. ammessa dal giudicc: c:cclesiastico la rin uncia ad

una causa ini:ciala presso i tribunali ecclesiastici 0 cbe una causa sia canonicamente

caduta in perenzione, i tribu nal; civili polranno riprendere j'esame della causa

c:ventualmente gi! iniriata presso di essi e sospc5a in vi rtu di quanto disposto alia

precedente lettera a).

La Chiesa iIIuminertl i fu luri spas; in merito ali a specifica natura del matrimonio

2. canonico e, di conscguenza , alia gi urisdizione -ecclesiastica in materia di vi"coio

matrimoniale.

I futuri sposi prenderanno formalmenlC alto di dO, per acceu azione, in isenllo.

Articolo 5

Le senlcnze di nullil! e i deeret; di ratifiea di nullil;\ di malrimonio emessi dai

tribu nali ecclesiastic; sono riconosciuti come cfficaci per gli effetli civili , a oondizionc

t he;

a) dalle parti , 0 da una di esse, sia prese ntata doma nda a11a Co rte d' Appe lto

insieme con una copia autentica delta sentenza 0 decreto, e con una dichiarazione di

esecutivita secondo il diritto canonico rilasciata dal tribu nale che ha ema nato la

decisione esecutiva;

b)

co nsti alia Cone d'Appello che

(i) il tri bunale ecclesiasticoera compelenle a conoscere della causa d,i nulli ta

del matrimonio in quan to questo era Slato celebrato secondo la form a canonica della

Chiesa Cattolica 0 con dispensa da essa;

(ii) nel procedimento giudiziario cononico e stato assicurato alle parti il

di ritto di agi re e di resistere in giudizio, in modo sosta nzialmente non difforme dal

pri ncipi della CostilUzione di Malta;

(iii) ne l caso di un matrimonio celebra to a Malta dopo I'll agosto 1975 e

Slato consegnalo , 0 trasmesso, al Registro Pubblico I'ano di matrimonio prescritto

dalla legge civile;

(iv) non esisle una se ntenza contraria emanata dal tribunali civili e passata in

giudicato, basata sugli stessi capi di null ita.

Anicolo 6

Le disposizioni di cui agli anicoli 3 e 5 si applicano anche

a) ai ma trimoni canonici celebrati prima dell'entrata in vigore de l prese nte

Acco rdo;

b) alle sentenze di nullila e ai decreti di ralifica di nullita. di matrimonio emanati

dai tribunali ecclesiastici tra il161uglio 1975 e \'entrata in vigore del presente Acco rdo

(i) quando la domand a per il riconoscimento degli effeUi civilisia presen tata

da ambedue le parti 0, a\me no, da una di esse non contraddicente ]'altra parte;

A

(ii) ncl caso che vi sia una parte conlraddicc nte, quando, dopo che alia stcssa

parte sia Slato concesso dalla Corte d'Appello un termine, non su perio re a due mesi ,

per presenlare istanza al tribunale ecclesiastioo contro la sentenza di nulli lt! 0 il decre ta

di ratifica di nullita di matrimonio, sia trascorso inutilmente tale termine 0, se sia stala

interposla l'islanza, il compelente tribunale ecclesiastico abbia respinto l'istanza 0

confermalo la precedente sentenza di nullitA 0 decreto di ralmca di nullil! di

matrimonio.

Articolo 7

1. I deere l; del Ra mano Po nlefice ~supe r matri monio rato et non consummato " sono

riconosciUli per gli effetti civili dalla RepubbJica di Malta, die tro richiest a ,

accompagnata da copia aule ntica del decreto pontificio, presentata alia Con e

d ' Appe1lo dalle pani 0 da una di esse .

2. La Corte d'Appello o rdina il riconoscime nto dei deueti di cui al numero I del

presen te articolo se consta ad essa cbe gli stessi decre ti sono rela tivi a matrimo ni

celebrati secondo le norme canoniche deUa Chiesa Cauolica

a)

dopo l'entrata in vigore del prese nte Accordo ;

b) ancbe prima dell 'entrata in vigo re di questo Accordo , a condizio ne cbe la

copia del decreto sia presen tata da ambcdue le parti 0 almeno da una di esse non

contraddicente l'altra parte.

Articolo8

Ne ll'espletamen to delle proprie funzio ni in ordine al riconosci menlO dei decreli di

e

cui all'art ioolo 7, come pure dell e se ntenze di nullitl de i decreti di rat ifica di nullitl di

rnatrimonio di cui all'artico\o3, la Corte d'Appello no n procede al rie samedel merito.

Articolo 9

Gl i effelti civili derivan li da l riconoscimento di cui agii arti coli 3 e 7 so no regolati

dalla legge civile.

Articolo 10

Se in avvenire sorgesse ro diffioolta di interpretazione 0 di applicazio ne del

presen te Accordo, \a Santa Sede e la Repubbliea di Malta affideranno la ricerea di

un' amichevole soluzio ne ad una commissione paritetiea che sarl composta , pe r parte

della Santa Sede, dal Nu nzio Aposlo lico a Malta e dal Presidente della Confe renza

Episoopale Maltese 0 da loro delegati, e , per parte de lla Repubblica di Malta, da!

Ministro del1a Giustizia e da ll' A vvoca to Generale 0 da loro de legati.

A

Articolo 11

11 presenle Ac:t:Ordo entrerl in vigo re aJ momento in cui le Parti si scambieranno

ufficialc c:omunicaziooe de ll. avvenula picna applicazione di Iullc le disposizioni dello

Slesso Accordo medianle gli ,trumenti giuridici propri dei rispeltivi ordinamenti.

Fauo all. Valletta , Malta, il Ire febbraio miIJenovecentonovanlatrc, in doppio

originale in lingua italian. cd inglese. ambeduc i testi fate ndo ugualmente fede.

Per la Repubblica di Malta

Per la Santa Sede

(+ Pier Luigi Celata)

(G uido de Mareo)

A '"

PROTOCOLLO ADDIZIONALE

At momen to dells fi rma deU'Accordo sui riconoscimento degli cffetti civili ai

matri moni canoni ci e alle decisioni delle Autorit! e de i Tribu nati ecclesiastici circa gli

stessi matrimoni. la Santa Sede e la Repubblica di Malta , desiderando precisare

ulte ri ormenle atcune disposizioni dello slesso Accordo per assicu rame un' accurata

applicazione cd evilare ogni difficolt! d'i nlc rprc larione. dichiarano d i comune intesa

I.

In relazioneall'anicolo l,l .b)

a) Le AlIe Part i stabilira nno, di oom une inlesa, il mod ulo dell'alto d i matrim.onio

prima de ll 'entrM3 in vigo re dell' Accordo, medianle scambio d i Note tra la Nunziat ura

Aposlolica cd il mi i'liSlcro degli Affa ri Esleri.

Esse seguiranno la slessa proced ura qu alo ra, in futu ro, oo ncordasserodi appo rtare

modifiche a tale modu lo .

b) Escluso il caso di perioolo di mOTte in cui si trovi almeno una delle parli , il

" Marri age Regislrar" , insieme all' altestato di cui all'arlioolo I , L a), rilaseia alle parti

un modulo de ll'alto di ma trimonio, debitame nle riem pilo oon IUlli i da li rel alivi agl i

sposi. 11 modulo cosl preparalO dev'essere oonsegnalo alle pa n i al pi u preslo dopo la

scadenza del periodo de lle pubblicazioni e, in ogni caso, non pi u ta rdi di q ua ll ro giom i

prima de lla dat a fissata per la celebrazione del matrimo ni o. Spella alle parti di

trasmellere im mediatame nte tale mod ulo a1 Parroco del luogo de lla celebrazione.

Q ualora rilevi qualche diso-epanza tra i dati re lativi ag1i sposi come risuh ano dal

modulo di cui sopra e dai docume nt; canonici, il Parroco deve (are , al piu presto

possibile, le oppon une verifiche al fi ne di oonoordare col " Marriage Registrar" la

correua stesura dello stesso mod ulo.

11. In relazione all 'an icolo 1,2

Ai fini dell'applicazione de ll'artioolo 1,2 si intendono come imped ime nti considerati

inderogabili 0 non dispensabili dalla legge civile

it di(etto di eta., che e di sedici anni compi uti pe r ambed ue le parti;

a)

b) l'infermila. di men le di almeno una delle parti che renda incapacc di

con u arre ma trimonio ;

c)

la consanguineita. in linea re tta e, fino al secondo grado, in linea

collaterale;

d) la sussistenza di un precedente matri mo nio, valido agli effelti civili, di

almcno una de lle parti .

J n rdazione all'articolo 4.1. a)

Ill .

L'accellazione da parte della Cancelleri a de i tribunali ecclesiastici viene

immediatamente notificata in iscrilto da l Cancelliere degl rslessi tribunali 0 da chi ne fa

le Yea.

IV .

In re lazio ne all'artioolo S,b.i)

Si conside ra che il tribunale ecclesiastico era oompetente a conoscere de lla causa di

nullitA de l malrimo ni o anche quando qucslO e stalo impugnalO per difelto di qualche

eiemenlo rich ieslo per la validit! de lla forma canonica 0 della dispensa da essa.

A

V.

In re lario ne agli anicoli 6 ,b.i) e 7 ,2.b)

11 termine perenlorio per la presentazione della nota di contradizio ne aUa Cone di

Appello ~ di dodici glorni utili dalla data della nOlitica falta daUa steMa Corte alia parte

interessata .

VI . Col termine "panow w si inlende ancbe ogni ecclesiastico equiparata al pal loe:o,

oche 10 sostituisce, a norml del diritto canoaito.

11 presente Protocollo Addizionale fa parte integrante dell'Accordo sui riconscimento

degli effelli civili ai matrimoni canDDia e alIe decisioni de lle AUlo ri!A e dei tribunali

ecclesiastici circa gJi stessi matrimoni, conlestualmentc finnalo tra la Santa Sede e la

Repubblica di Malla.

Faltn alla V.llena, Malla il Ire febbraio millenovecentonovantatre, in doppio originale

in lingua haUana c d inglese, ambedue i Icsti facendo ugualmente fede .

Pe r la Repubblica di Malta

Per la Santa Sede

(+ Pier Luigi Celata)

(Guido de Mareo)

A

Secondo Protocolto AddWonak

La Santa Sede c la Repubblica di Malla , desidcra ndo evitare ogni difficoitl

conell.

d'i nterprclazione

cd

assicura re

la

applicuione

de ll'Accordo

sui

rioo noscimento degli errelli civili ai malrimoni ca nonici e alle decisioni delle Autori lll e

dei tribunali ecclesiaSlici circa g1i slessi matrimoni, firmato il 3 febb raio 1993,

dichiarano di c:omune inles3 che

1. le se ntenze emanate dai tribunali ecciesiastici in cause di nullitA che sono a favore

dell. validitl de l ma trimo nio , che non sono stale appellate 0 che sono slate oonfennate

in appello. compresc mutatis mU/(Jndis le sentenzc nelle cause di cui all'Articolo 6, b),

(i) dell 'Accordo, sono riconosciute. tuu i g1i effelli di leue in Maha e sara nno riten ule

come res judicata e non riesaminabili sugl i s(cui capi daIJe cort i civili, a condizione che

alia Corte di Appello conlili quanta ~ slabililO aU'A rtioolo S,b) dell' Acco rdo. La stessa

Corte, ai sensi dell'Artioolo 8 de ll' Accordo , non proccde al riesame del merito della

ca usa.

2. Quando una domanda per ottenere la dichilrazione di nuUit! del ma lrimonio f

presentata alia oorte ciyile, iI giudice accerta la sua oompetenza si sensi dell'Anicolo4, 1

dell'Acco rdo e del Numero 1 di questo Protocollo.

11 presente Protocollo Addizionale fa pane inteanmte dell'Accordo sui

riconoscimento deall effetti civili ai matrimoni eano nici e alle decisioni delle Autorit! e

dei tribunali ecclesiastid ci rca all 5tessi matrimoni, firmato a Mllta Ira la Santa Sedee la

Repubblica di Malta il3 febbraio 1993.

Fatto alia Vaneua , Malta, il 6 gen naio millenoyecentonoyantacinque, in doppio

originale in lingua italiana ed inglese. ambedue i testi facendo ugualmente fede .

Per la Repubblica di Malta

Per la Santa Sede

(Guidode Marco) ....

(+ Pier Luigi Celata)

A

The Holy See and the Republic of Malta,

- considering, on the part of the Holy See, Catholic doctrine on marriage. as also

expressed in the Code of Canon Law, as well as the teaching of the Second Vatican

Ecumen ical Council on re lations between the Church and the Slale, and, on the

part of the Republic of Malta, the principles enforced by the Constitution of Malta;

- wa nting to ensure, in line with fundamental human rights and the values of the

family based on marriage, a free choice in matter,; of marriage;

have recognized that it is opponune 10 reach an agreement on the recognition of civil

effects to canonical marriages and to the decisions of the ecclesiastical Authorities and

tribu na ls about the same marriages.

Wherefore , the Holy Sce, as rep resen ted by Msgr. Pier Luigi Celala, lilUlar Archbishop

of Doclea, Apostolic Nuncio to Malta, and the Republic of Malta, as represented by

Prof. Guido de Marco , Deputy Prime Minister and Minister o f Foreign Affairs , have,

by common accord, established as follows,

Article 1

L C ivil effects are recognized for marriages celebrated in Malta according to the

canonical norms of the Catho lic Church, from the moment of their celebratio n,

provided that

a) it results from a ce rtificate issued by the Marriage Registrar tha t the banns

requ ired by civil law have been published , or that a dispe nsation from the same has been

granted; such certificate shall constitute defini tive and conclusive proof or the regularity

of the banns o r of the d ispensation therefrom ;

b) the Parish Priest of the place where the marriage was celebrated transmits to

the Public Registry an original of the act of marriage compiled in the fonn established by

commo n accord between the Panies, and signed by the local Ordinary or the Parish

Priest or their Delegate , who has officiated at the celebration of the marriage.

2 . The Holy See takes note that the Republic o f Malta recognizes the civil effects of

canonical marriages where there does not exist between the spouses an impediment

that, according to civil law , produces the nullity o f the marriage and that the said civil

law considers as mandatory or not dispensable.

Article 2

I . The act of marriage shall be transmitted to the Public Registry for due transcription

within five working days of the celebration o f the marriage.

2. Should the transmission of the act of marriage not beeffected within the established

time limit , it shall be the duty of the Parish Priest to effect the same as soon as possible.

The spouses, o r either of them, always retain the right to demand such transmission.

Late transmission shall not be an obstacle to transcription.

3. When it is ascertained that the conditions lai d down in article 1 have been complied

with , the Director of the Public Registry transcribes the act of marriage and, as soon as

possible , gives written notice of this to the Parish Priest.

A

Ankle 3

The Repub lic of Malta recognizes for all civil effects. in terms of this Agreement , the

judgements of nullity and the decrees of ratification of nullity of marriage give n by the

ecclesiastical tribunals and which have' become executive.

Article 4

I. For the purposes of the recogni tion of the civil effects mentioned in article 3, the

Holy See lakes note that

a) from the moment in which notice is given 10 the Registrar of Courts of the

acceptance by the Chancery o f the ecclesiastical tribunals of a petition presented by al

least onc of the panics to obtain the declaration o f the nullity of a canonical marriage

celeb rated afte r the coming in to force of the present Agreement, competence to decide

on the matte r is recognized solely 10 the ecclesiastical tribunals, provided that the civil

tribunals have not already given a judgement that has become "res judicata", based on

the sa me grounds o f nullity;

b) should it resullt hat the «clesiastical judge has admined the renunciation of a

case opened before the ecclesiastical tribunals or that a case has canonically fallen in to

abatement , the civil tribunals shall be ab le to again take up the ellamination of the case

that may have already been presented before them and suspended by virtue of what is

provided in letter a) above.

2. The Ch urch shall enlighten prospective spouses about the specific nature of

canonical marriage and . consequently, about ecclesiastical jurisdiction concerning the

marriage bond.

The prospective spouses shall, by way o f acceptance, fonnally take note of this in

writing.

Article 5

The judgements of nullity and the decrees of ratificat ion of nulli ty of marriage given by

th e ecclesiastical tribunals are recognized as prod ucing civil effects. provided that

a) a requ est is presented, by the parties o r eithe r of them, to the Court of Appeal

together with an authentic copy of the judgement or decree, as we ll as a declaration of

its executivity according to canon law issued by the tribunaithat has given the ellecutive

decision;

the Cou rt o f Appeal ascertains tha t

b)

(i) the ecclesiastical tribunal was competent to judge the case of nUllity of the

marriage insofar as the marriage was celebrated according to the canonical form of the

Catholic Chu rch or with a dispensat ion therefrom;

(il) during the canonical judicial proceedings there was assured to the panies

the right of actio n and defcnse, in a manne r subs tantially not dissimilar to the pri nciples

of the Constitut ion o f Malta;

A .,

(iii) in the case of a marriage celebrated in Malta aftcr the 11 August 1975,

there has been delivered o r transmitted to the Publk Registry the act of marriage laid

down b) the civil law;

(Iv) there does no t exist a contrary judgemen t pronounced by the civil tribunals

and which has become 'res judicata", based on the same grounds of nullity.

Art icle 6

The provisio ns of articles 3 and S apply also

a)

to canonical marriages eelebnued before the coming into force o f Ihis

Agreement ;

b) to the judgements of nUllity and to the decrees o f rali6calion o f nullity o f

marriage given by the ecclesiastical tribunals be[Ween the 16 July 1975 and the coming

inco force o f the present Agreemen t

(0 if the request for th e recognition of the civil e ffecls is presented by both

parties or, at le&St , by one of them with the other party not dissen ting; or

(ii) in case there is a dissent ing party, if, after the Court of Appeal has granted

to this same party a time limit, not exceeding two months, to presen t a plea to the

ecclesiastical tribunal against the judgement of nullity o r the decree of ratification of

nullity o f marriage, such time limit has elapsed to no avail or, if the plea had been

en tered . the competent ecdesiasticaltribunal has rejected the pica or haseonfirmcd the

previous judgement o f nullity o r decree of ratification of nUllity of marriage,

Article 7

I , The decrees of the Roman Pontiff"super matrimonio ratoet nonconsummato" are

recognized as regards civil effects by the RepublicofMalta , upon reques t, accompanied

by an authentic copy of the pontifical decree. presen ted to the Court o f Appeal by tbe

parties o r by eithe r of them ,

2. The Cou rt of A ppeal shall orde r the recognition of the declees referred to in

paragraph I of this article if it rc:sullS to it that such dcaea refe r to marriages celebrated

according to the canonical nonns o f the Catholic Church

a)

after the coming into force of this Agreement;

b) and also prior to the coming into fora: ofthisAgrcement, on condition that the

copy o f the decree is presented by both parties, or at least byone of them with the othe r

party not disse nt ing.

Article 8

In the exercise o f ilS specific functions as regards the recognition of the decrees

mentioned in article 7, as well as o f the judgemenlS o f nUllity or o f the decrees o f

ratification of nUllity of marriage ment ioned in article 3, the CoUrt of Appeal does not

re-examine the merits of the case.

A

Article 9

The civil effects flowing from the recognitio n mentioned in ankles3 and 7 are regulated

by civil law.

Article 10

If in future there shall arise difficulties of inte rpretation or of applica tion of the present

Agreement, the Ho ly Sce and the Republic of Malta shall entrust the search for an

amicable solution to a Joinl Commission that shall be composed of the Apostolic

Nuncio to Malta and of the Presiden t of the Maltese Episcopal Conference or of their

de legates for the Holy See, and of the Min is ter for J ustice and the Attorney Gene ral o r

of their delegates for the Republic of Malta.

An icle 11

The present Agreement shall come into force when the Parties exchange an official

commu nica tion that the full implementalion of all its provisions through the

appropriate legal insU>lments according 10 their respective legal systems has taken

place.

Done, at Vallella, Malla, on the third day of February, one thusand nine hundred and

ninety-three, in two originals, each in the halian and English languages, both texts

being equally authentic.

For the H o ly See

For the Republic of Malla

(Guidode Marco)

(+ Pier Lu igi Celata)

PROTOCOL OF APPLICA nON

At the time of signaturcofthe Agreement on the recognition of civil effctts to canonical

marriages and to the decisions of the ecclesiastical Autho rities and tribunals about the

same marriages, the Ho ly Sce and the. Republic of Malta, desiring to further specify

certain provisio ns o f the same Agreement to ensure their precise applicatio n and to

avoid all difficulties o f irlterpretalion, by common accord declare

I. With reference toanicle J,l.b) ·

a) The Panies shall establish, by common accord , the (ann of the act of marriage

befo re the coming into fo rce afme Agreemen t . through exchange of Notes between the

Apostolic NuncialUre a nd the Ministry of Fore ign Affairs.

They sha ll follow the same procedure should they, in future , agree to modify the said

form .

b) Except in case of dange r of death in which alieasl onc orlhe parties finds itself,

the Marriage Registrar shall , together with the certificate mentio ned in article I, 1.a),

issue 10 the parties a fonn of the act of marriage, duty fitted in with all the infonnation

refe rring to the spouses. The fonn so prepared shall be consigned to the parties as early

as possible after the completion of the period of publication of the banns and, in any

case, not later than four days prior to the date fued for the celebration of the marriage.

It is incumbent on the parties to immediately transmit such fonn to the Parish Priest of

the place of celebration . Should the Parish Priest notice any discrepancy between the

infonnation referring to the spouses as it results from the fonn mentioned above and

from the canonical documents, the Parish Priest must, as soon as possible, make the

opportune verifications 50 as to reach agreement with the Marriage Registrar about the

correct compilatio n of the said fonn.

11. With refe rence to article 1,2

For the purpose o f pUlling into effeet article 1,2 the following are unde~tood 10 be

im pediments considered mandatory or nOI dispensable by the civil law

a)

the lack of age, which is sixteen yean completed for both parties;

b) the infinnity of mind of atleasl one of the parties which renden it incapable of

contracting marriage;

consanguinity in the direct line and up to the second degree in the collateral

c)

line ;

d) the subsistence of a previous marriage, valid in civil law, o f at least one of the

panies.

U1. With refe rence to article 4, I .a)

The acceptance by the Chancery of the ecclesiastical tribunals is to be immediately

notified in writing by the Chancellor of the same tribunals o r his substitute.

A

rv. With reference t Q article 5.b.i)

The ecclesiastical tribunal is considered 10 have been competent 10 judge the case of

nullity o f the marriage even when it was challenged o n the ground o f the lack of some

e lement required for the validity of the canonical form or ofthe dispensation therdrom.

V . With reference to articles6.b.i) and 7,2 .b)

The peremptory time limit for the presentation of the note of pleas to the Court of

Appeal is of twelve worki ng days from the date of notification made by the same Court

to the in terested pany.

VI. The terms " parish priest" refers also to any ecclesiastic equivalent (0 the parish

priest, o r who substitutes him, acoording to canon law.

The present Pro tocol of Application fonns an integral pan of the Agreemen t on the

recognition of civil effects to canonical marriages and to the decisions of ecclesiastical

AUlho rities and tribunals about the same marriages contextually signed between the

Ho ly See and the Re public of Malla.

Done at Valletta , Malta on the third day of February, one thousand nine hundred

ninety-three , in ty,·o originals, each in the Italian and English languages, both texts

being equally aUlhentic.

For the Holy See

For the Republic o r Malta

(+ Pier Luigi Celata)

(Guidode Marco)

A

4'

Serood AddItional Protl)('(ll

The Holy See and the Republ ic of Malta . desiring to avoid all difficulties o f

interpretalion and 10 ensure IDc precise application o f the Agreement ~n the

recognition of civil effects to canonical marriages and to the decisions of the

ecclesiastical A uthorities and tribunals about the same marriages, signed o n the 3rd

February. 1993, by common accord declare that

I. J udgements given by ecdesiast ical tribunals in cases o f nullity upholding the

validi ty of the marriage . whit h have: not been appealed or whic h have been confirmed

on appeal, incl uding muiQtis mutandis judgements in cases in tenns of paragraph (b)

subparagraph (i) of Art icle: 6 o fthc: Agreeme nt , art recognized for all purposes of law in

Malta and shall be considered as ra j udicatQ and. 001 sub ject 10 re-exam ination o n the

same grounds by the civil courts provided that the: Court of Appeal ascertains what is

laid down in paragraph (b) of Article 5 of the Agreement. It shall not in tennsof Article

8 of the Agreement re-ellamine the merits o f the case.

2. Whenever a plea for nulliry of marriage is presented to the civil court, the judge

is to ascertain his competence, in te nnsof paragraph I of Article 4 of the Agreement and

o f Num ber I of th is Protocol.

The present Additional Protocol fonns an integral part of t~ Agreement .on .the

rttOgnition of civil effects to canonical marriages and to the deostCllS of ca:lestasucal

Autho rit ies and tribunals about the same marriages, signed in Malta between the Holy

See and the Republic of Malta on the 3rd February, 1993.

Done at Vallella, Malta on the 6th day of January, one thousa nd nine hund red

nine ty·five , in two originals, each in the Italian and English languages, both texts being

equally authentic.

For the Holy Sce

For the Republic of Malta

(G uidode Marco).·

(+ Pie r luigi Celata)

and

16. (I) The

Ecclesiastical Courts

(Constitutio n

Q: . ~_ ......

Jurisdiction) Law. shall be amended as follows

........... n ..

IOOlbel' Ja-.

ta) for section 2 thereof, there shall be substituted the

Cop. I .

folloWing

".Juriodic.

2. Ecclesiastical Courts and J udges established o r

::."',

appointed. or that may be established o r appointed in Malta,

lOt ~ru to decide cases regarding the laws of the Roman Catho lic

Md J' ;

Cllurch shall ha ve no jurisdictio n and shall not make. o r

attempt 10 make any judicial act having civil , olher than

purely spiritu al, effect except as may be provided by law.";

for section 3 thereof the re shall be substituted lhe

(b)

following

3. Docume nts and Acts of Ecclesiastical Courts where

the same may, as provided in sectio n 2 of this law, have civil

effect arc adm issible as proofin the same manne r as provided

in section 621 of the Code of O rganization and Civil

Procedure , provided that the same are authenticated as

provided from time to time by the ecc.lesiastical law regulati ng

such courts. " ; and

(c) sections 4, 5 and 6 thereof are repealed and section 7

thereof shall be re numbered as section 4 the reof.

(2) The Bishop of Gazo (Extension of Privileges)

Ordinance, shall be amended as follows

(a) sections 2, 3 and 4 thereof shall be repealed; and

Cb) section 5 thereof shall be renumbered 85 section 2

thereof.

Passed by the House of Representatives at Sitting No. 386 of the 31st January,

1995. LAWRENCE GONZl

Speaker

R ICHARD J. CA UCHl

Clerk to th e House of Representatives

0.".._,,,,/,,,,,,,, ado- _ K/Uliljc

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Mitbu", f1-hwllp"rijo .&I.(j~", - PriNtrI., rile ~ I'rinlUtf f'nsj