Vows of marriage in a hospital set-up

By Elizabeth Wambui & Luke G. Kung’u

What comes to mind when the word ‘nuptials’ is mentioned? It is a blissful word that denotes pomp and color that is reminiscent of a wedding.

It is usually a well-planned event with many guests and is usually a happy day. That is a typical wedding. Now fathom this, you are admitted in a hospital and suffering from a long-term illness and maybe even a terminal one. How then can a wedding be done in a hospital set-up?

To answer this and many more on nuptials in a hospital, the Newsline Team had a sit down with HoU Chaplaincy, Father John Kariba and Sister Teresia Mutwii and this is what they had to say. Read on…

Yes, a patient can have a wedding at KNH provided the patient has requested, not a relative.

Both must be adults of 18 years and above. Both must be of sound mind so their consent is not called into question. They must not be in a marriage and must make the decision freely, knowingly and willingly.

It can be officiated in the church or in the ward for patients who cannot be able to move about, provided the wishes of the couple is honored. However, it is normally officiated in the church or any other place within the boundaries of the parish or in Sheria House.

Marriages officiated in the hospital can only be conducted if the couple had already been married in the Sheria House. They are given a marriage certificate which they bring with them to the church. Enquiries must be made before the marriage takes place. In each of the parties involved, churches’ marriage bans/ announcements must be done for three consecutive Sundays to ascertain none of the parties have been married before and/or the marriage is still intact. This is also to rule out forgery.

As per the church, in case of previous divorce, the couple must present themselves to the marriage tribunal in the church for nullification of the previous marriage before they can have another wedding. Divorce in church marriages is rare but not impossible.

The society cannot prevent a marriage from taking place, not even the parents of the couple as the decision to marry lies with the couple. The society understands the implication of the marriage as a union and that it has a legal basis.

For staff, it is mostly that a wedding has to be an expensive affair, while for the church marriage is a sacramental union that only requires the blessings of God.

For patients, people and relatives might think the healthy partner is marrying their spouse in anticipation of inheriting in case of death. Some believe the patient will become a burden to the healthy spouse and discourage them from getting married.

A legally registered officer of marriage by a legal body with such powers e.g. Sheria House. Such an officer can be a priest or a pastor or any other legal person.

We have officiated 31 weddings- 20 from the staff and 11 from the wards. The first wedding took place in 2004 for a Human Resource staff member. The first patient wedding was in 2006 in ward 7C.

The couple go to Sheria House to give a notice for their marriage. They will need a copy of the certificate of the officer who will officiate the marriage. There is a 21- day notice and announcement. We hold sessions of teaching on marriage for the couple, patient or staff to teach that marriage is a sacramental and a commitment.

For most of the patients, the reception is not necessary. Marriage is a sacrament and a commitment and the blessings are what is important. However, in the event of a reception, it is a choice of the couple.

The importance of these marriages is the sacramental aspect. They want to be in a union blessed by God. Some of the patients are chronically ill and on their death bed and want to be right with God. Having their marriage solemnized makes them feel they are right with God.

Father John Kariba and Sister Teresiah Mutwii joined KNH in 2002 and have 21 years of service.

MAIN PHOTO | STEVE ARWA Mr. Stephen Mwangi exchanges marriage vows with his wife in a ceremony presided over by HoU Chaplaincy Father John Kariba at the KNH Catholic Chapel on 4th April 2023.