Church Weddings in Costa Rica decline.

With white sandy beaches, panoramic views and in general beautiful scenery, Costa Rica is a majestic place for many people to get married and serves thousands of Tico’s and foreigners their vows each year. However whilst this was a procedure that was very much performed in a Catholic Church under the blessing of a priest, this trend has drastically changed in the past 14 years and continued in 2008 whereby more and more couples have got married in a civil union.

In 1980, 77% of marriages were carried out in a Catholic Church but in 1995 this percentage decreased to just 52%. Come 2008 and the rate has further lowered to a meager 21%, with almost four times as many marriages being conducted as a civil union. These events can be interpreted as slightly surprising given that Costa Rica is officially a Catholic country.

A press statement from the Metropolitan Curia stated that the figures are a result of Costa Ricans changing attitudes to religious affairs as well as the commitments of an enduring marriage deteriorating over time. Whilst this statement can be confirmed by the growing divorce rate not only in Costa Rica but in much of the world, this is not the case for 2008 whereby the numbers of divorces were actually down by approximately 600 in comparison to 2007.

This could be one of many reasons for the marriage rate in churches having decreased in recent years however one other notable reason for this is due to the Catholic Church regulations on marriage. In general, Church weddings tend to cost more than civil unions whilst for Church marriages couples must undertake a course prior to their marriage. Both of these factors can understandably play a major factor for couples wishing to tie the knot.

For more information on marriage in Costa Rica or if you are planning on a Costa Rican wedding visit http://www.vacationscostarica.com/weddings

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on January 22nd, 2009