Priest at mixed marriage?

[NetNuncio]

Is it appropriate for a priest to be present at a marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant and participate in the service if the ceremony is in a Protestant church? For example, reading the Catholic Nuptial Blessing or other prayers. This is assuming, of course, that the couple has gotten the proper dispensation and neither is impeded in any way from getting married.

Adam

 

[Della]

Yes. The priest is there to be the witness of the Church. The couple make their vows to God and each other, not to the priest, so even in a totally Catholic wedding he doesn’t “marry” the couple, they marry each other before God and the Church’s witness who can be a priest or deacon and in circumstances in which a priest or deacon is not available, a lay Catholic may be the witness for the Church.

As to the priest reading anything or doing any prayers in the situation you describe, I believe that would be up to his bishop to decide.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

NetNuncio:

Is it appropriate for a priest to be present at a marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant and participate in the service if the ceremony is in a Protestant church? For example, reading the Catholic Nuptial Blessing or other prayers. This is assuming, of course, that the couple has gotten the proper dispensation and neither is impeded in any way from getting married.

Adam

It is possible to obtain if necessary the Bishops permission for :

1. A Catholic to marry a non-Catholic.
2. A Catholic to exchange vows in another church.
3. A Catholic to marry without a Catholic priest present.

All separate requests for permission that must be shown to be necessary.

A Catholic priest cannot “share the ceremony”. However he must be present to witness the exchange of vows and can offer a blessing after the actual marriage. (exchange of vows)

 

[Robert_in_SD]

NetNuncio:

Is it appropriate for a priest to be present at a marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant and participate in the service if the ceremony is in a Protestant church? For example, reading the Catholic Nuptial Blessing or other prayers. This is assuming, of course, that the couple has gotten the proper dispensation and neither is impeded in any way from getting married.

Adam

Yes. That’s how my wife and I did it. It was a beautiful ceremony in her parents’ church.

 

[harinkj]

Threads like this are very educational. I probably would have been wrong on every issue discussed in this one. Learning is very rewarding. :clapping:

Kathie :bowdown: