. My question is general what is the whole process of getting married with the catholic church.
There is a period of preparation and there is a meeting with the priest to complete the necessary paperwork and ensure there are no canon law impediments to proceeding with the marriage (such as one of the persons having been married and divorced, etc)
The period of preparation can consist of many different things-- each diocese creates its own preparation program. So, in one diocese it may consist of meetings with the priest, a weekend retreat called “Engaged Encounter”, meetings with a married couple, or something else.
The typical preparation period is 6 months. In that time you will have some sort of preparation and discussion of the Sacrament of Marriage, paperwork, and planning of the actual ceremony.
Contact a priest in your parish for the specifics in your diocese.
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does the spouse have to be catholic?
No. In the case of a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic or a non-Christian, the Catholic must do two things: receive a dispensation to marry a non-Catholic and make the promise that they will raise their children Catholic. The non-Catholic must be informed of this promise, but does not make a promise themselves.
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do you have to get married in an actual church or can it be outside?
The Catholic form of marriage is in a Catholic Church.
To be married elsewhere-- for example, if a Catholic married a Methodist and wanted to be married in the Methodist church building-- a Catholic would have to apply for and obtain a dispesation from the Bishop to marry outside the Catholic form.
As to getting married in some place other than a Catholic or other Christian church-- again, it would require a dispensation from the Bishop. BUT, a dispensation to get married outside or in a secular setting would have to be accompanied by what the Bishop considers a very good reason.
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basically what makes it a recognized marriage in the catholic church and what other options are there.
The steps outlined above make it a valid marriage in the Church: go through the diocesan marriag preparation process and complete all required paperwork. First step: contact your local priest.
. what if the spouse won’t convert to catholiscism? anyone with knowledge here please share.
The spouse is not required to become a Catholic.
That said, I highly recommend anyone considering marrying a non-Catholic reconsider that unwise path. The Church
allows these types of marriages but highly discourages them. A mixed marriage is bound to bring strife between the husband and wife. It’s an unwise move, IMHO.
