Marrying a non-Catholic

[Savio]

I’m going to become Catholic fairly soon, and I want to know more about Catholic weddings, particularly if there is a non-Catholic Christian involved.

I have been to many Protestant weddings, and am curious as to the differences. Obviously there’s a priest involved, but other than that, I mean. Also, is the Eucharist celebrated during a wedding with a non-Catholic? I would imagine the answer is no, but could someone please clarify for me?

Thank you.

 

[adrift]

I believe it is not recommended.

My son who married an non-catholic had a mass.

 

[Rawb]

In order to marry a non-Catholic, a Catholic must get a dispensation from their Bishop. A Catholic wedding must be held in a church (unless, again, a dispensation has been granted, but while dispensations to marry non-Catholics are usually given, dispensations to marry outside a church usually aren’t). In the past it was strongly discouraged to marry a non-Catholic, now it’s not so uncommon and doesn’t have the usual stigma attatched.

The ministers of the Sacrament are the Bride and Groom. The Priest is there as the official witness of the Church. When marrying a non-Catholic, the bride and groom may decide to just have a wedding ceremony instead of a Nuptial Mass in order to prevent the exclusion of the non-Catholic spouse-to-be, and possibly half the guests as well.

Obviously, a valid, sacramental marriage cannot be broken. All marriages are considered valid until proven otherwise by a council, so if either spouse-to-be has been married before they must recieve an anullment (even the non-Catholic party must recieve an anullment to marry their Catholic fiance if they have been married before, even if it was to a non-Catholic).

Marriage is ended by death (“Till death do us part”) so if the former spouse has died, then there is no need for an anullment.

The marriage is a Sacrament if both parties are baptised. If one is not, then the marriage is referred to as a ‘natural marriage’.

 

[Savio]

One more question. Is it a sin for a Catholic to not get married by a priest?

 

[adrift]

The ministers of the Sacrament are the Bride and Groom. The Priest is there as the official witness of the Church.
.

One more question. Is it a sin for a Catholic to not get married by a priest?

The priest must be the witness. It is possible with permission that a protestant minister conduct the ceremony but to get married without the sanction of the Church is a sin and no marriage takes place.

 

[dank]

One more question. Is it a sin for a Catholic to not get married by a priest?

I am not a canon lawyer, but from what I understand, unless you had permission from the bishop to be married by somebody other than a priest (and a condition I think is often that a priest is at least present to be a witness), such a marriage would not actually be a marriage in the eyes of the Church since Catholics are bound by canonical form.

If you’re in that situation you should seek some advice from your priest.

 

[Seatuck]

One more question. Is it a sin for a Catholic to not get married by a priest?

A Catholic has to follow all of the laws of the church regarding Marriage. In some cases permission is granted for the marriage to be witnessed by someone other than a Priest.

 

[Kielbasi]

In order to marry a non-Catholic, a Catholic must get a dispensation from their Bishop.

From my understanding , a dispensation from the priest is sufficient if the non-catholic party is a baptised Christian. A marriage with an unbaptized person requires a different type of dispensation.

 

[love4mary]

In addition to priests, Deacons being Ordained ministers in the Catholic Church are also allowed to Witness a Wedding, our deacon has witnessed many such weddings.

 

[sphilomena]

I’m going to become Catholic fairly soon, and I want to know more about Catholic weddings, particularly if there is a non-Catholic Christian involved.

I have been to many Protestant weddings, and am curious as to the differences. Obviously there’s a priest involved, but other than that, I mean. Also, is the Eucharist celebrated during a wedding with a non-Catholic? I would imagine the answer is no, but could someone please clarify for me?

Thank you.

You don’t say if this is just speculation or if you will marry a non-Catholic. If it is not a “done deal”, look for a Catholic to marry. It is more difficult in a mixed marriage to have unity. I realize there may be some extraordinary people out there who would be the exception. I say this from many years of observation and not to be unkind. My father didn’t become a Catholic until I was married and had children, and I see what has happened in my own children’s lives.

If you already know that you will marry a non-Catholic, please have lengthy, loving discussions.

 

[adrift]

In addition to priests, Deacons being Ordained ministers in the Catholic Church are also allowed to Witness a Wedding, our deacon has witnessed many such weddings.

How could I miss this since a deacon was witness to my sons wedding

 

[SeekerJen]

From my understanding , a dispensation from the priest is sufficient if the non-catholic party is a baptised Christian. A marriage with an unbaptized person requires a different type of dispensation.

Not in the Archdiocese of Detroit. It’s rare that a dispensation would not be granted, but a disparity of cult still requires a dispensation of form from the bishop. It’s been less than 5 years since DH and I filled out all of the paperwork, and our priest did have us come in for an extra meeting so he would have time to draw up the dispensation paperwork that needed to go to the archdiocesan offices.

 

[Savio]

You don’t say if this is just speculation or if you will marry a non-Catholic. If it is not a “done deal”, look for a Catholic to marry. It is more difficult in a mixed marriage to have unity. I realize there may be some extraordinary people out there who would be the exception. I say this from many years of observation and not to be unkind. My father didn’t become a Catholic until I was married and had children, and I see what has happened in my own children’s lives.

If you already know that you will marry a non-Catholic, please have lengthy, loving discussions.

I don’t know for sure if I will be marrying a non-Catholic, but there’s a particular person in mind, so it’s more than mere speculation. At this point, “look for a Catholic to marry” is not an option. She is a Christian, and Catholicism might be something she would consider, but I don’t want to pressure her.

How easy is it to receive permission to get married from a priest, but not in a church? Her family isn’t exactly pro-Catholic, so getting married in an alternate location might lessen the tensions.