Appropriate Church-Marriage Question

[Annapurna]

Hello all,
First, new fella here who is blessed to be marrying a wonderful woman sometime in the fall. Second, I apologize as a newbie if this question has been beaten to death (did not see anything upon search).

We are both Catholic, baptised, confirmed, etc. Although we have not been the most devout Catholics, we take our faith and the doctrines it espouses, very seriously. There is a beautiful church in our area that we have considered getting married in. The church, however, is Episcopalian. So:

(1) Can a Catholic get married in an Episcopalian Church?
(2) Might be outside the purview of this forum but, does anyone know if an Episcopalian Church will allow a Catholic marriage within its doors?
(3) Assuming 1 and 2 are “yes,” what, if any, concerns would you have about considering marriage in an Episcopalian Church? Frankly, I have not given it the thought it deserves quite yet but am willing to hear any and all thoughts on the matter.

Thanks much guys.

 

[Annapurna]

edit: Have been doing some more searching and apparently this is an abhorent idea and will not result in a “valid” Catholic marriage. I assume all agree?

 

[Phemie]

Being married in the Episcopal Church by an Episcopalian priest will not result in a valid marriage, no.

It might be if you were marrying an Episcopalian and had a dispensation from canonical form but I doubt very much that your bishop would give a dispensation because you think the Episcopal church in your town is a prettier setting than the Catholic one.

OTOH, your last point made me think you might be considering asking a Catholic priest to celebrate your marriage in the Episcopal Church. I’ve known Catholic parishes to lease their church to other religions for weddings & funerals just as we’ve used the local Pentecostal church for a few funerals because they have the biggest building – ours seats ~250 and we were expecting ~1000 mourners.

 

[1ke]

The first step is to sit down with your priest. He will explain to you everything you need to do to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony.

The place in which you celebrate marriage is governed by Canon Law. In order to be married in a place other than a Catholic Church **requires **permission of your bishop.

And, it must be for a good reason (the non-Catholic spouse’s desire to marry in their church is the most typical reason such a request is granted). Because the church is pretty is not such a reason.

 

[benedictgal]

Is there a seriously compelling reason why you would want to contract your marriage in an Episcopal Church?

Please note this section from Redemptionis Sacramentum which discusses the matter of the location where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is to be celebrated:

. The Place for the Celebration of Holy Mass
[108.] “The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place”.197 The diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis.

[109.] It is never lawful for a Priest to celebrate in a temple or sacred place of any non-Christian religion.

Are there not beautiful, Catholic Churches in your area where you can get married? Let me give you an example. About eight years ago, the Cathedral was the setting for the wedding between a pharmaceutical representative and an engineer. Neither of them had any connection whatsoever to Laredo, let alone the Cathedral. However the bride had accompanied her father, also a pharmaceutical representative, had been inside the Cathedral during a visit to Laredo (as a child) and decided that she would be married there. She contacted the rector who got the proper paperwork ready (prior delegation from the couple’s pastor and letters were exchanged between the dioceses) and the wedding went on without any problems.

I would seriously consider taking a field trip to see the other Catholic Churches in the area. Before you take any action, you should be meeting with your pastor.