Can I as a Novus Ordo Catholic attend my sister's wedding in a SSPX ceremony

[hilarycotter]

My understanding is that Pope Francis has allowed SSPX to hear confessions and perform marriages without the local ordinary’s permissions.

If so, can I attend an SSPX wedding ceremony?

TIA

Hilary

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I would not advise you to attend an SSPX wedding since they remain invalid. Pope Francis only gave the permission for SSPX priests to absolve sins, not to do weddings.

 

[hilarycotter]

Oh, that hurts very much. But it was what I feared. Thanks for your answer Confiteor Deo .

 

[Irishmom2]

I think you should make an appointment with your parish priest and ask him.

 

[Marysann]

You are not a “Novus Ordo” Catholic. You are a Catholic, period. As was pointed out, Pope Francis did not give SSPX priests faculties to officiate at marriages. It is sad that this division causes heartaches in families so let us all pray for Catholic unity.

 

[commenter]

I would not advise you to attend an SSPX wedding since they remain invalid. Pope Francis only gave the permission for SSPX priests to absolve sins, not to do weddings.

More accurate to say the Pope, as a temporary measure, gave *laity *attached to the SSPX permission to go to the SSPX priests. Or rather, if you are going to go to Confession there anyway, as a temporary extension during the Year of Mercy, the absolutions you receive there are valid. It is not an endorsement for them to go there if there are other priests locally - though they can, for this year. It is not granting permission to the SSPX priests. They are still under their local bishop, though they would not yet recognize his authority, they are still urged to connect with him.

But the other poster’s recommendation for you to consult with your pastor is the best recommendation for you.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

My understanding is that Pope Francis has allowed SSPX to hear confessions and perform marriages without the local ordinary’s permissions.

If so, can I attend an SSPX wedding ceremony?

TIA

Hilary

As a priest, may I advise you to sit down with the priest who has the cura animarum for you and your family? The priest who actually has your spiritual care.

I find it very regrettable, frankly, that people seek advice on an anonymous internet forum about issues of such import that call for a physician of souls. Just as true, this is not a matter one should blithely answer. There are profound ramifications in terms of your relationship with your sister and her future husband, other members of your family, and their relationship with you. Actions of this nature can also further drive someone away from the Church.

If one had need of counsel about an issue of mental health or physical health, would one submit the case to anonymous people of dubious expertise?

Yes, it is true that the priests of the SSPX have no faculties, neither by law nor by grant, whereby to validly witness marriages. (Pope Francis has said that a Catholic who confessed to an SSPX priest would be validly absolved, which he can do since he has direct and immediate jurisdiction over each individual.) Of course, a marriage in the chambers of a Justice of the Peace would also be invalid, if attempted by a Catholic.

The question of validity vs. invalidity admits a straight foreword answer. However, your question actually is whether or not you should attend; this requires a more elaborated analysis than simply whether or not the ceremony has validity in the eyes of the Church. And that is a question that requires being worked through thoughtfully and in an informed manner…not as a question and answer on the Internet.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Don Ruggero gives wise advice. SSPX chapel marriages may be objectively invalid because their clergy lack faculties, but that does not necessarily mean that you should not attend the wedding. Discuss this with your pastor.

We should all pray for reconciliation between the SSPX and the Church.

 

[Joe_5859]

As a priest, may I advise you to sit down with the priest who has the cura animarum for you and your family? The priest who actually has your spiritual care.

I find it very regrettable, frankly, that people seek advice on an anonymous internet forum about issues of such import that call for a physician of souls. Just as true, this is not a matter one should blithely answer. There are profound ramifications in terms of your relationship with your sister and her future husband, other members of your family, and their relationship with you. Actions of this nature can also further drive someone away from the Church.

If one had need of counsel about an issue of mental health or physical health, would one submit the case to anonymous people of dubious expertise?

Yes, it is true that the priests of the SSPX have no faculties, neither by law nor by grant, whereby to validly witness marriages. (Pope Francis has said that a Catholic who confessed to an SSPX priest would be validly absolved, which he can do since he has direct and immediate jurisdiction over each individual.) Of course, a marriage in the chambers of a Justice of the Peace would also be invalid, if attempted by a Catholic.

The question of validity vs. invalidity admits a straight foreword answer. However, your question actually is whether or not you should attend; this requires a more elaborated analysis than simply whether or not the ceremony has validity in the eyes of the Church. And that is a question that requires being worked through thoughtfully and in an informed manner…not as a question and answer on the Internet.

Well put, Father.

 

[ProVobis]

I would not advise you to attend an SSPX wedding since they remain invalid.

Hmmm.

Would your advice be the same to one who was invited to a Lutheran wedding, for example? I’ve attended some non-Catholic weddings in my lifetime.

 

[Brendan_64]

Don Ruggero gives wise advice. SSPX chapel marriages may be objectively invalid because their clergy lack faculties, but that does not necessarily mean that you should not attend the wedding. Discuss this with your pastor.

We should all pray for reconciliation between the SSPX and the Church.

I’d agree completely with this.

 

[Joe_5859]

Hmmm.

Would your advice be the same to one who was invited to a Lutheran wedding, for example? I’ve attended some non-Catholic weddings in my lifetime.

As have I. I’d assume the difference is that Lutherans are not obligated to follow Catholic Canon Law and thus would still be validly married in their own church. I think the OP’s basic question was (1) Is an SSPX marriage valid?; and (2) If not, is it permissible to attend an invalid wedding?

I think talking to his pastor about it is probably the best advice we can give.

 

[1ke]

Would your advice be the same to one who was invited to a Lutheran wedding, for example? I’ve attended some non-Catholic weddings in my lifetime.

To be clear, Lutheran weddings are not *invalid *weddings.

Therefore, declining an invitation to a Lutheran wedding based on invalidity is misguided. Your question isn’t analogous to the situation provided by the OP, which was that of an *invalid *wedding.

As to whether or not the OP should attend the wedding he describes, it is best discussed with his pastor.

 

[Lormar]

As a priest, may I advise you to sit down with the priest who has the cura animarum for you and your family? The priest who actually has your spiritual care.

**I find it very regrettable, frankly, that people seek advice on an anonymous internet forum about issues of such import that call for a physician of souls. Just as true, this is not a matter one should blithely answer. There are profound ramifications in terms of your relationship with your sister and her future husband, other members of your family, and their relationship with you. Actions of this nature can also further drive someone away from the Church.

If one had need of counsel about an issue of mental health or physical health, would one submit the case to anonymous people of dubious expertise? **

Yes, it is true that the priests of the SSPX have no faculties, neither by law nor by grant, whereby to validly witness marriages. (Pope Francis has said that a Catholic who confessed to an SSPX priest would be validly absolved, which he can do since he has direct and immediate jurisdiction over each individual.) Of course, a marriage in the chambers of a Justice of the Peace would also be invalid, if attempted by a Catholic.

The question of validity vs. invalidity admits a straight foreword answer. However, your question actually is whether or not you should attend; this requires a more elaborated analysis than simply whether or not the ceremony has validity in the eyes of the Church. And that is a question that requires being worked through thoughtfully and in an informed manner…not as a question and answer on the Internet.

Father, I agree with you, but we come here because there is no good priest who has the time to help us.

 

[Brendan_64]

To be clear, Lutheran weddings are not *invalid *weddings.

Therefore, declining an invitation to a Lutheran wedding based on invalidity is misguided. Your question isn’t analogous to the situation provided by the OP, which was that of an *invalid *wedding.

What about the wedding of a Catholic to a Lutheran, in a Lutheran church without dispensation?

Or what about the civil wedding of a lapsed Catholic in a registry office? I’ve been to at least one of those.

I agree with those who have advised the OP to speak to their priest about it.

 

[ccmcmg]

**

I think you should make an appointment with your parish priest and ask him.

**

Hmmm.

Would your advice be the same to one who was invited to a Lutheran wedding, for example? I’ve attended some non-Catholic weddings in my lifetime.

If neither of them are Catholic, it is not governed by the rules of the Catholic Church.
You are free to attend those. In this case, I assume it’s a ‘Catholic’ who is getting married in an SSPX Church.

What about the wedding of a Catholic to a Lutheran, in a Lutheran church without dispensation?

Or what about the civil wedding of a lapsed Catholic in a registry office? I’ve been to at least one of those.

I agree with those who have advised the OP to speak to their priest about it.

I agree; please speak to your priest. Surely you can catch him after Mass. Perhaps attend the weekday Mass, if possible. You can also visit in the diocesan office with someone, perhaps a priest there.

I have permission to attend my sister’s civil ceremony, but not to participate in the wedding party. We also must walk a fine line in the celebration of it.

 

[Kielbasi]

As have I. I’d assume the difference is that Lutherans are not obligated to follow Catholic Canon Law and thus would still be validly married in their own church. I think the OP’s basic question was (1) Is an SSPX marriage valid?; and (2) If not, is it permissible to attend an invalid wedding?

I think talking to his pastor about it is probably the best advice we can give.

Suppose the SSPX individuals involved were baptized, confirmed, and raised in an SSPX chapel, or came over to the SSPX from a non-catholic background.

Would those people be subject to Catholic canon law?

 

[Joe_5859]

Suppose the SSPX individuals involved were baptized, confirmed, and raised in an SSPX chapel, or came over to the SSPX from a non-catholic background.

Would those people be subject to Catholic canon law?

That is an interesting question. I think someone more qualified than myself would have to answer that one. The SSPX has been around in its irregular state for long enough that such a scenario is probably happening for some.

 

[TheDoctor]

Suppose the SSPX individuals involved were baptized, confirmed, and raised in an SSPX chapel, or came over to the SSPX from a non-catholic background.Would those people be subject to Catholic canon law?

IMHO, yes they would.

First, let’s keep our terminology straight. SSPX is composed of Priests only. They have never claimed to be in schism and the Church has never officially declared them to be in schism. Therefore if they claim to be Catholic they must follow the code.

In a similar way, laity who attend SSPX Masses or who get their Sacraments from the SSPX are going to a Catholic Mass and getting Catholic Sacraments (valid but illicit in some cases) so as Catholics they must also follow the Code.

 

[commenter]

Suppose the SSPX individuals involved were baptized, confirmed, and raised in an SSPX chapel, or came over to the SSPX from a non-catholic background.

Would those people be subject to Catholic canon law?

There is no separate “SSPX canon law”. All clergy, including bishops, who belong to SSPX, are subject to their local bishop ordinary, and the same canon law applying to all Catholic clergy. They more or less are defying the canon law, and the local ordinary, though they may happen to coincide with them on certain things.

As another poster said, there are no SSPX laity; nor SSPX parishes, or SSPX dioceses. Those individuals, if Catholic, belong to their local RC diocese. The neighborhood parish where they live is potentially their parish, or the one responsible for them. Catholic canon law applies to those laypersons, the same way it applies to any other Catholic. They are just different in that they don’t belong to a parish, but they could make an appointment and get a pastor very easily. They are under the authority of the local bishop, in any event.

The SSPX as an organization does not have an irregular status, it has no status in the Church. Individuals do. I don’t know what it means to come over to the SSPX from a non Catholic background. Whether they attend a SSPX chapel is beside the point, if they are Catholic, they are treated like any Catholic. If they have not become Catholic, no RC canon law applies to them, no RC bishop ordinary, etc.