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Mary_Oziem
Guest
I was born and raised in a Catholic family where we all received the sacraments of Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. I attend daily mass and have been home schooling for nine years. I am the only girl among three brothers. One of my brothers will be getting married in October 2004. He will be getting married outside of the Catholic Church in a civil ceremony. He is currently living with his fiance’ and has been doing so for a couple of years now. My question is in regards to my attendance at the wedding. I have been told by a couple of priests that I should not attend the wedding. My father was told by the Archdiocese of Detroit and a few other priests that he could attend the wedding. This is where the confusion comes in. There have been different answers to the same question. According to canons 1086 and 1117 say that a Catholic who has left the Church “by a formal act” is not bound by the Church’s marriage laws and his marriage would be vailid. However, I want to know what “a formal act” is. As far as I know, my brother did not perform a formal act renouncing his faith. He has stated that he no longer practices his faith or believes in it. Is this considered a formal act? I feel reluctant to attend the wedding since it would imply approval of or indifference to the action of a person who has left the one, true Church founded by Jesus Himself. I would like a definitive answer (if possible) to this question. Does the Catholic Church say that I am allowed or disallowed to go? I’m looking for a concrete answer that I’m having difficulty attaining. Thank you in advance for your time. Mary O.