“Refusing to sign civil marriage licenses, at present, would deny Catholic marriages the benefits of marriage”
I have never had to “prove” I was married by showing a state marriage license and there is no database on people showing whose married or not married. Chaput has a great idea.
If your spouse has to enter the hospital for medical treatment, and you do not have a civil marriage license, then you do not have legal rights to be consulted for your spouse’s care.
If your spouse dies without a will and you don’t have a civil marriage license, your spouse’s belongings will not automatically be transferred to you. Much of it goes to the State.
If you have to go to court, and you don’t have a civil license, you could potentially be compelled to testify agaist your spouse.
etc.
These, and others, are the benefits that come with a civil marriage license.