Marriage: Catholic & Coptic... possible or not?

[qwatzo]

Can anyone can research this. Thanks.

 

[LilyM]

Of course - there’s no reason why a Catholic can’t marry a person of any other faith at all, or even an atheist or agnostic if they choose.

The non-Catholic spouse will have to agree that the children should be educated about the Catholic faith, which may be a stumbling block, but that’s about it.

 

[cyberjacques]

I think you may be confused about the difference between a rite and a denomination. Latin (or Roman) and Alexandrian (or Coptic) are two rites of the same Catholic Church. Their beliefs and doctrines don’t differ, only their liturgical styles do. This holds true of all the Catholic rites. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes it like this:

“Within the Catholic Church … Canonical rites, which are of equal dignity, enjoy the same rights, and are under the same obligations. Although the particular churches possess their own hierarchy, differ in liturgical and ecclesiastical discipline, and possess their own spiritual heritage, they are all entrusted to the pastoral government of the Roman pontiff, the divinely appointed successor of St. Peter in the Primacy.”

If you would like a more complete explanation, this is a good one:
THE RITES OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

There is also a Coptic rite in the Orthodox Church, but I’m not too familiar with the rules regarding Catholics and Orthodox getting married. I would assume that since the Orthodox Church has valid sacraments, including Baptism, that it wouldn’t be a problem. Ask your priest, he should be able to tell you.

 

[1ke]

Can anyone can research this. Thanks.

I’m unclear as to why YOU cannot research it yourself. A sit-down with your priest would clear it up.

First, you did not specific if you are talking about a Latin Catholic and a Coptic Catholic or a Latin Catholic and a Coptic Orthodox. So, depending on which it is there are different steps.

Catholic marrying Coptic Catholic-- no canonical impediments.

Catholic marrying Catholic Orthodox-- permission to marry a non-Catholic and dispensation from Catholic form. Talk to your priest about what is required and how to go about it.

 

[1ke]

Of course - there’s no reason why a Catholic can’t marry a person of any other faith at all, or even an atheist or agnostic if they choose.

Lily, You dramatically understate the facts. “No reason” is not true. First, marrying any non-Catholic Christian requires permission and marrying a non-Christian requires a dispensation from disparity of cult. There are standards to be met regarding the Catholic’s continued practice of religion as well as children.

While in America this dispensation is routinely and liberally granted (too liberally IMHO), that is not so everywhere especially in countries where restriction on religion is a very real concern.

The non-Catholic spouse will have to agree that the children should be educated about the Catholic faith, which may be a stumbling block, but that’s about it.

Not exactly. It is the Catholic only who makes this promise. The non-Catholic is informed of the promise.

And, ‘that’s about it’ is an understatement as to the real obstacles mixed marriages face.

 

[Peter_J]

Can anyone can research this. Thanks.

Are you asking whether the Catholic Church would allow it, or whether the Coptic Orthodox Church would allow it? (I’m assuming that when you said “Coptic” you meant “Coptic Orthodox”.)