Marriage in a Catholic Church by non-Catholics

[TheRealJuliane]

Actually, given that both of them were Christian, it would be considered a valid sacrament.

Nope, a Catholic MUST marry in a Catholic church or the marriage is not valid. The only exception is if they get a special dispensation from the Bishop, and even then, they must be married by a priest, not a minister or anyone else.

 

[Vico]

Nope, a Catholic MUST marry in a Catholic church or the marriage is not valid. The only exception is if they get a special dispensation from the Bishop, and even then, they must be married by a priest, not a minister or anyone else.

Or a Catholic deacon with faculties (in the Latin Church).

 

[felsguy]

Nope, a Catholic MUST marry in a Catholic church or the marriage is not valid. The only exception is if they get a special dispensation from the Bishop, and even then, they must be married by a priest, not a minister or anyone else.

Just a slight clarification. With the appropriate permissison, a Catholic **can ** be married to a baptized non-Catholic by a Protestant minister, that is, a Protestant minister can officiate at the marriage of the couple instead of a priest.

 

[VivienneJ]

I was at a wedding 2 years ago. The bride and groom were both Catholics(non-practicing). The wedding took place in an Anglican Church. The Anglican minister was a former Catholic priest. This came to mind and I thought it might be interesting to you.

Just a slight clarification. With the appropriate permissison, a Catholic **can ** be married to a baptized non-Catholic by a Protestant minister, that is, a Protestant minister can officiate at the marriage of the couple instead of a priest.

But in the case that is being debated, repeated above, both bride and groom were Catholic, therefore they had to be married in the Catholic form, by a Catholic priest, in a Catholic Church. (Practising or not has no bearing on the requirement.)

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

I’m curious as to whether there is any requirement that the non-Catholic marriage taking placed in a Catholic Church must be a valid marriage. For instance, is a previously married and divorced Protestant allowed to remarry in a Catholic Church?

 

[Vico]

I’m curious as to whether there is any requirement that the non-Catholic marriage taking placed in a Catholic Church must be a valid marriage. For instance, is a previously married and divorced Protestant allowed to remarry in a Catholic Church?

If the Matrimonial covenant involves a Catholic, then it must be valid per the Catholic canons. If two non-Catholic yet validly baptized Christians marry, it is a sacrament. When a Catholic marries a non-Christian it is not a sacramental, but a natural marriage. So a marriage of non-Catholics may also be one of those two types. I suppose you are thinking that a particular non-Catholic marriage may not hold to the same concept of marriage as the Catholics?

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

If the Matrimonial covenant involves a Catholic, then it must be valid per the Catholic canons. If two non-Catholic yet validly baptized Christians marry, it is a sacrament. When a Catholic marries a non-Christian it is not a sacramental, but a natural marriage. So a marriage of non-Catholics may also be one of those two types. I suppose you are thinking that a particular non-Catholic marriage may not hold to the same concept of marriage as the Catholics?

I am referring to the situation of non-Catholics being allowed to be married in a Catholic Church were obvious diriment impediments exist.

 

[Vico]

I am referring to the situation of non-Catholics being allowed to be married in a Catholic Church were obvious diriment impediments exist.

It is possible for a natural marriage or an unconsummated sacramental marriage to be dissolved, and the Catholic Church does not apply their dispensable laws to other churches.

I think that the priest of the place would not know of the existence of a non-dispensable diriment impediment, which are (for the Latin Church):

• Ligamen or Prior Bond - Canon 1085,
• Impotence - Canon 1084, and
• Consanguinity in the direct line or in the second degree of the collateral line - Canon 1091,

I suppose it would be prudent, if known, to withdraw consent to use the church.

 

[felsguy]

Originally Posted by felsguy
Just a slight clarification. With the appropriate permissison, a Catholic can be married to a baptized non-Catholic by a Protestant minister, that is, a Protestant minister can officiate at the marriage of the couple instead of a priest.

But in the case that is being debated, repeated above, both bride and groom were Catholic, therefore they had to be married in the Catholic form, by a Catholic priest, in a Catholic Church. (Practising or not has no bearing on the requirement.)

Ah, but below is the post I was responding to

Originally Posted by TheRealJuliane View Post
Nope, a Catholic MUST marry in a Catholic church or the marriage is not valid. The only exception is if they get a special dispensation from the Bishop, and even then, they must be married by a priest, not a minister or anyone else.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I am referring to the situation of non-Catholics being allowed to be married in a Catholic Church were obvious diriment impediments exist.

Okay, so the hypothetical is having two Protestants, who have both been married and divorced at least once, and are currently shacking up, want to be married in a Catholic Church, presumably by their own minister?

And would this be allowed?

 

[sedonaman]

i would hope not

 

[Elizabeth779]

I don’t know why two Protestants would want to be married in a Catholic Church. The thought of picking a church because of only the beauty seems very secular to me. If they desire marriage in a Catholic Church, they should share the faith of that Church, and in become Catholic. Just my two cents…but then again, I am one of those that believe it would be wonderful if everyone were Catholic.

Actually, I find the idea of “Rent A Catholic Church” as awful as the “Rent a Catholic Priest”. bleah…

 

[sedonaman]

I don’t know why two Protestants would want to be married in a Catholic Church. The thought of picking a church because of only the beauty seems very secular to me. If they desire marriage in a Catholic Church, they should share the faith of that Church, and in become Catholic. Just my two cents…but then again, I am one of those that believe it would be wonderful if everyone were Catholic.

Actually, I find the idea of “Rent A Catholic Church” as awful as the “Rent a Catholic Priest”. bleah…

I’m not sure “secular” is adequate to describe the reason. Perhaps “superficial” is better.

There are some weird people out there with weird ideas. I once heard a rumor that the pastor in my parish was offered a large donation for the use of the church for a non-Catholic wedding. There was a condition: he had to remove the Eucharist for the duration of the wedding. Naturally, he refused.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I don’t know why two Protestants would want to be married in a Catholic Church. The thought of picking a church because of only the beauty seems very secular to me. If they desire marriage in a Catholic Church, they should share the faith of that Church, and in become Catholic. Just my two cents…but then again, I am one of those that believe it would be wonderful if everyone were Catholic.

Actually, I find the idea of “Rent A Catholic Church” as awful as the “Rent a Catholic Priest”. bleah…

Again I wonder about the crucifix, Stations of the Cross, etc. How do Protestants get around those items inside the sanctuary?

 

[Cider]

It happens a lot in NY. Many churches here let non-Catholics have their weddings, they rent the space, they pay much more than a parishoner would in terms of fees and they have to bring their own minister.

Seriously? The more I hear the more I shake my head at some of the shenanigans I read.

 

[Cider]

Actually, given that both of them were Christian, it would be considered a valid sacrament.

Not unless they had a dispensation. They are Catholic, as such they are bound to be married by a Catholic priest in a Catholic church.

 

[Elizabeth779]

I’m not sure “secular” is adequate to describe the reason. Perhaps “superficial” is better.

There are some weird people out there with weird ideas. I once heard a rumor that the pastor in my parish was offered a large donation for the use of the church for a non-Catholic wedding. There was a condition: he had to remove the Eucharist for the duration of the wedding. Naturally, he refused.

Thank goodness he refused…wow, sometimes I think i’ve heard everything…then I log on here…