Can I use my non-Catholic ordination?

[newcalling]

Before I was Catholic I was an interfaith minister with a valid ordination. I haven’t been Catholic long enough to inquire about the priesthood or diaconate, though such is my ultimate intention. However, my former church does not consider my ordination invalid. Nonetheless, I thought that, being Catholic now, the Church would frown on me using that previous ordination for anything, even for people who are not Catholic. However, another Catholic from my parish suggested that I could use my ordination to perform marriages for people who are not Catholic; these wouldn’t be sacramental marriages, of course. Is this true?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

No, your friend is entirely incorrect. Now that you are Catholic, you may not act as a non-Catholic minister for any reason whatsoever. If the laws of your state allow you to become qualified as a civil officiant of marriages (e.g., justice of the peace, judge, civil official), you could witness civil marriages of non-Catholics. But you may not use your previous ordination as a means of obtaining authority to officiate at marriages. You must seek to qualify solely on civil grounds.

I recommend that you inform your friend that she is seriously mistaken and should cease giving out advice like this to anyone. She could have caused great harm to souls, including your own, had you not checked out this information before acting.