Adding to the story. In 1968 while stationed in the Philippines, my then 'Philippina girlfriend and I decided to get married'. I was required to be "interviewed" by the base priest, since I was listed as a Catholic. To make a long story short, I was fortunate, on interview day, the base priest
"home" in the US. The base protestant minister interviewed me and signed off. Several weeks later, I was called into the Priest's office, and he
proceeded to ream me out....."Did I understand, the closer my wife got to the USA, the blacker she would become. I had some words to deliver.
Fortunately I did not need his signature. We were married in a civil ceremony. 20 years later we were married in the Church, Full Latin Rite.