May a Catholic be a best-man of a wedding between two non-Catholics?

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The couple has never been married before. The bride is Christian and the groom believes in God, but is still trying to discover / determine what he really believes. The couple does not live together, but also does not live much of a religious based life. The potential best-man is good friends with the groom and has tried to evangelize in different ways somewhat peaking interest with the groom. The potential best-man wants to continue to evangelize and be a good friend, but at the same time do right by God and his Catholic faith first. Suggestions??
 
The couple has never been married before. The bride is Christian and the groom believes in God, but is still trying to discover / determine what he really believes. The couple does not live together, but also does not live much of a religious based life. The potential best-man is good friends with the groom and has tried to evangelize in different ways somewhat peaking interest with the groom. The potential best-man wants to continue to evangelize and be a good friend, but at the same time do right by God and his Catholic faith first. Suggestions??
Are they both free to marry? Do you think they are earnest in living married life? If they are then there really isn’t a problem.
 
IMHO, since the church would not object to this wedding taking place, you would be perfectly free to attend it. Therefore, you would also not be wrong in taking the part of best man in it. It isn’t a pagan ritual, just two people who are free to marry doing so.

However, some more knowledgeable person may have a definitive church statement regarding this.
 
I’m facing this same issue. Except–the couple plans on never having kids, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one got a permanent contraceptive surgery right after getting married. Any thoughts as to whether this changes the answer?
 
You can definitely participate, since it is a valid marriage. We shouldn’t show support for invalid marriages, but this one seems fine! Have fun!
 
I’m facing this same issue. Except–the couple plans on never having kids, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one got a permanent contraceptive surgery right after getting married. Any thoughts as to whether this changes the answer?
I think the only way their marriage would be invalid is if one of them was impotent. What they do after, as unfortunate as that may be, doesn’t affect the validity of their marriage.
 
Are both free to marry? (No prior marriages…)

Were neither every baptized Catholic?

If the answers are YES and NO - in that order - then, have a great time!
 
I think the only way their marriage would be invalid is if one of them was impotent. What they do after, as unfortunate as that may be, doesn’t affect the validity of their marriage.
Actually, no. One of the prerequisites of a valid marriage is being open to children. That is not a “Catholic” thing; it is part of the nature of marriage.
 
Actually, no. One of the prerequisites of a valid marriage is being open to children. That is not a “Catholic” thing; it is part of the nature of marriage.
So, do you think its actually wrong for me to take part in their wedding? They clearly are not open to children; can I say they will absolutely, never ever have children? No, but they are definitely planning on not having any.
 
The couple has never been married before. The bride is Christian and the groom believes in God, but is still trying to discover / determine what he really believes. The couple does not live together, but also does not live much of a religious based life. The potential best-man is good friends with the groom and has tried to evangelize in different ways somewhat peaking interest with the groom. The potential best-man wants to continue to evangelize and be a good friend, but at the same time do right by God and his Catholic faith first. Suggestions??
There are no requirements or restrictions on “best man” like there are for Sponsors of Baptism and Confirmation.
 
There are no requirements or restrictions on “best man” like there are for Sponsors of Baptism and Confirmation.
I presume the wedding to valid…but my reservations are about being a witness / signing the marriage certificate. As a Catholic, can I be best man if it is a of non-denominational religious wedding (not even sure it will be in a church, but will have some sort of pastor), the newlyweds have not “waited” until marriage, and will probably use contraception (but I believe they do plan to have children)?
 
I think you’re being too scrupulous. You can’t be their morals for them, although you can certainly encourage moral behavior from them.

I can’t see anything here that prohibits you from being their Best Man. Celebrate with your friends.
 
So, do you think its actually wrong for me to take part in their wedding? They clearly are not open to children; can I say they will absolutely, never ever have children? No, but they are definitely planning on not having any.
That is a sad state of affairs.

If it were me, I would either sit down with the groom to be, or if he is not in the immediate area, have phone conversation and say what you have to say. and I would say it very carefully so that he understands that you are not trying to stand in judgement of him, you are not trying to play the “holier than thou” card; what you are trying to do is follow your conscience in a matter that your Church has a position on, and that you are caught in a quandry.

And I would show up at the wedding (having already assured him that you will).

This may have an impact on your friendship, and may have one you don’t like. Or it may be a minor issue, or no issue at all.

People get their heads around an idea and make all sorts of plans. Some of them follow through; others grow some, and their plans change; either they outright reject their former plans, or they implicitly reject them. He and she might end up having kids. Or they might not. And given today’s general statistics of marriage, they may or may not stay married until death of one of them, kids or no kids; odds are not good in general.

That is just what I would do. If you still are questioning, make an appointment with a priest (don’t bring this up in confession - if for no other reason than you need sufficient time to discuss this and others may be waiting to actually go to confession - it is not the place for spiritual guidance or counseling). The shortest answer is that the best source for a question like this is not in a forum, but from a spiritual director.
 
I presume the wedding to valid…but my reservations are about being a witness / signing the marriage certificate. As a Catholic, can I be best man if it is a of non-denominational religious wedding (not even sure it will be in a church, but will have some sort of pastor), the newlyweds have not “waited” until marriage, and will probably use contraception (but I believe they do plan to have children)?
The church doesn’t prohibit you from being a legal witness at a civil ceremony or other wedding. The two people are free to marry, neither has been married before or is a Catholic. If you feel that the couple is right for each other, you think that the marriage will last, and they are open to having children, why not be a legal witness?
 
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