With the aim of avoiding marriages of conveniences – described by the Curia as contracts intended to allow foreigners to have freedom of movement or a residence and work permit – the centre will be requesting that foreigners can only marry a Maltese if they have residence status at the time of the application to wed.

The centre will also be requesting that a possible sanction or penalty be imposed on those who make false statements in this respect.

A Curia statement said that the CEC will be asking the Maltese archdiocese pastoral secretary to hold meetings with parish priests and the Family Commission for these to receive all the necessary information regarding the number of civil marriages, both between Maltese and between Maltese and foreigners.

The centre is also recommending that more publicity be given to the services offered by the Maltese church in the above circumstances.