Disparity of cult, in canon law, refers to what circumstance that might require a dispensation?

• A. Two Catholics from different cultures.
• B. A Catholic marrying a non-Catholic.
• C. A marriage between two baptized Christians of different rites.
• D. A Catholic marrying a Protestant.

Answer: (C)

Disparity of cult is a canonical impediment that exists when the spouses belong to different liturgical rites, even though both are baptized. Because they are part of different Christian rites, the marriage is treated as having a difference in the “cult” they belong to, and a dispensation from this impediment may be needed to authorize the marriage and ensure proper canonical form and obligations.

This is why the scenario that best fits is a marriage between two baptized Christians of different rites: it directly reflects the difference in the liturgical and ecclesial communities of the spouses, which is precisely what disparity of cult concerns. The other situations either involve both parties within the same rite, or they refer to related but distinct categories (such as a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic in general, which is a mixed marriage, not the specific disparity of cult scenario).