Standing in a Wedding and being a Godparent

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Smber2c

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I have questions about 2 different couples but didn’t want to make 2 threads, so I hope that doesn’t make this too confusing.

Problem #1. My girlfriend has a good friend and former roomate who is getting married. This roomate we’ll call ‘Tara’ is from a Catholic family but does not practice herself. He fiance seems to be in a similar situation though I’m not certain. The 2 are going through Catholic marriage prep b/c their families want them too and b/c it’s required for a wedding in the Church which they seems to have some (slight) interest in.
My girlfriend has been asked to be in the wedding but has great misgivings. ‘Tara’ has admitted that the priest told she and ‘John’ they can’t have sex or be living together and she said she dicided to lie to the priest to get on with it all.
So on issue #1, my questions are:
  • should she stand in the wedding?
  • should she tell the priest that Tara is lying to him?
Problem #2. I have a friend who I’ve known since I was little. We’re both out of college now and he started dating a stripper (…lets just say our morals have never quite matched thought they’ve grew even more divergant in college). Anyway, my friend ‘Brad’ recently found out that his girlfriend is pregnate. Thankfully she is planning on delivering their child. He explained to me that they plan on moving back to Florida where she is from. He wants to help in raise their child. No plans of getting married are apparent though there is always the possibility (and I’d say the desire too, knowing my friend’s general ways).
Now Brad is the classic, ‘good “Christian” American’. You know the one that would never suggest or assist in getting an abortion but won’t tell others they can’t. One who thinks prayer and mass are good but only utilizes either blessing at the rarest of occasions. One who knows Jesus was a good guy and probably real, but feels most of those miracles people say he did are probably false.
So, when we last talked he said he’d like me to be the Godfather. At this point, with them not married and their plans to raise the child in her state of Florida not here in Louisiana; I’d expect that the decision is really her’s to make, but assuming that I really am asked:
  • can I accept that role expecting that the child will get little if any Catholic upbringing?
  • can I accept that role expecting that I’d have at best very little physical contact with the child and at worst never see the child again after the Baptism (say Brad and the mother breakup soon after)?
Sorry to put all that on 1 post. Comment on one or both, but maybe try using Problem #1 or Problem #2 to keep it straight.
 
Prob #1…I don’t know. My husband and I deal with this sort of thing all the time, as most of our friends are fornicating and co-habiting and then want to randomly get married in the Church (or in a church) because…I don’t know why. 🤷 Whatev. Pray for them is all I can say. I WILL say that co-habitation is not an impediment to marriage, the Church optimistically views marrying co-habiters as helping to rectify their situation. But maybe if your GF mentions the couple’s activities to the priest he can give them more counsel.

Prob #2… Is this couple baptising the child Catholic??? If not, then I’d say you can’t be a godparent to a child in another faith. We were asked by my BIL/SIL to be godparents to their child but they are Episcopal, so we had to say no (on the advice of our very solid priest).

If they are Catholic, I would say…go for it. You may be the only good Catholic presence in this child’s life. Even if you never see the kid again, you would be obliged to participate in his Catholic faith, and you could continue to pray fervently for him. If there is a doubt as to whether this couple will be responsible and follow through with the obligations that come with baptising their child, HOPEFULLY the priest they go to will not just give them a pass but will talk to them about their duty as parents if they are seeking baptism for their child.
 
Smber2c said:
  • should she stand in the wedding?* Up to your gf. If she has misgivings, she can beg off. She does not have to be pointed about the whole thing, simply that she cannot do so at this time. *
  • should she tell the priest that Tara is lying to him? *If “Tara” is a close, close friend, she should tell Tara to tell the priest, and mention **that ***as a reason for not being in the wedding party. As living together is not an impediment to the marriage being valid, but the graces of the marriage will not take effect until “Tara” gets her rear-end into confession and repents, your gf should keep her mouth shut, otherwise, whether or not she is “Tara’s” extremly good friend, or just some gal from college. The marriage prep, if they have even a slight interest in it, is good, and might convert their hearts to better lives. It goes without saying your gf should be praying for this couple. Priests are not that stupid. Left in God’s hands, “Tara” will probably blurt or tell on herself unintentionally. Even if she doesn’t, it’s between “Tara” and God.
  • can I accept that role expecting that the child will get little if any Catholic upbringing? Is Brad Christian or Catholic? If he is Catholic, even a little, and he expects that the child is getting bapitzed, let the priest decide whether or not to baptize the child. If Brad is only a Christian, then you cannot be the godfather, as Catholics cannot be godparents to Protestants, only Christian witnesses. But hey- Can you think of a better person than you to do the honors? However, if you don’t want to do it, say no, simply that while you are honored to be considered, you simply can’t do it. No long-winded, in-depth explanation is necessary, just “I simply can’t, I’m sorry.”
  • can I accept that role expecting that I’d have at best very little physical contact with the child and at worst never see the child again after the Baptism (say Brad and the mother breakup soon after)? *Again, if it’s a Catholic baptism, can you think of anybody better than youself to do the job for this little soul? My godchildren all live in Texas, and yet I made myself an available part of their lives. You can pray for him or her, and let them know of this. You can befriend Brad’s gf (stripper or no) as the godfather, send little religious and other gifts; read stories into CD, DVD or audio tape; offer to pay for CCD if you can afford it; buy a part of the paraphenalia that goes with a nice First Communion or Confirmation (veil, sport coat, missal, rosary, a gift certificate to a good religious store). You might be the only practicing Catholic to touch this young woman’s life for awhile. But again, if you feel you can’t do it, say “No, thank you” without any rancor or explanation. *
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Problem #1My wife and I were in a similar situation recently. I asked Fr. Vincent Serpa (CAF Apologist) and he wrote me an answer:
Should I go To This Wedding?
It was good advise, but we felt that our point was not listened to by my SIL.:banghead: So my wife and I prayed a LOT and then wrote a really loving letter to her, telling her about how proud we were of her for finally making this commitment; for getting Married in the Church; For choosing to have the Mass etc…
We also warned that it would be inappropriate to recieve communion unless they were properly disposed (then we explained what that meant), because it would hurt Jesus and would hurt us. The letter was gentle and loving but very firm in the truth. We just tried to help her see the importance of her decisions.

My SIL really took it to heart. Her and Her (now) Husband BOTH went to confession the night before their wedding. :eek: :eek: :eek:
This was nothing short of miraculous! :extrahappy:
That’s the power of prayer at work! :yup:

Problem #2

NEVER underestimate the power of the Sacrament of Baptism!!!
If it is the ONLY source of sacramental grace that this child will receive, then make sure he/she gets it. What’s the alternative? that this child gets god parents who have no faith? At least if you are the God-parent your prayers for him/her will have more of an impact. Do all you humanly can to help this child know Jesus. Also if you become the godparent, it gives you an excuse to send books on the life of the saints, sacramentals (pictures, medals etc.) to help form this childs mind nad conscience, which would otherwise not receive any of these things.

These things are just my opinion, you might want to run these problems by a sound Priest or one of the Apologists at CAF, but hope it helps anyways.

God Bless.
 
Problem #1 I was the maid of honor in a wedding when I knew the couple was cohabitating and the bride asked me not to say anything to the priest about their living arrangements. I told the Bride (my friend) that if the priest asked me I wouldn’t lie, however even though I didn’t approve of their choices I was happy they were getting married and I didn’t see it as my place to offer this information to the priest. The priest never asked me and I never told him, my friend has been married for 8 years 😃 .

Problem #2 If you are asked to be a Catholic Godparent I say go for it. You may be the only Catholic influence this child has. It doesn’t matter that you live away from them you can still have a wonderful role in the child (and parents) life. 🙂

my :twocents: :twocents:
 
Hey folks, I’m sorry I didn’t explain on the baptism thing…yes it would be a Catholic Baptism at lease if ‘Brad’ were to be choosing. In light of the comments, I expect that if I really am asked to do so, I will agree to be the godfather and try to be as helpful to them and this child as is possible.

On the issue #1 with a couple that is co-habitating and having sex…then lying to the priest and saying they are not - would this not be grounds for immediate annulment if they were to later request it.
I’m not a cannon lawyer, but I thought I had understool that any “marriage” that is entered into under false pretenses is has immediate grounds annulment. In a way it seems more wrong that she’s lying to the priest about it all than the fact that she’s having pre-marital sex and co-habitating. After all, if she were honest and told the priest: oh we do have sex and live together and won’t stop even for a few months as you are asking, I sincerly doubt he would preside at the wedding.

Well, at least I feel settled on one issue. Thank for all the responses, always good to get assistance in deciding moral actions.
 
Problem #1:
Do not lie to a priest. If someone else lies to a priest it is not my job to snitch on them. If you feel you need to intervene, talk to them, not the priest, as another poster suggested.

To me, what she told the priest may as well have been in confession, and if she admits outside of my confession it’s not my job to hunt down the priest and explain one of his confessors lied. At this point, if she fools the pastor, it’s between her and God.

Alan
 
In my understanding, the false pretenses that would render a marriage null are if the bride is lying to the groom about being free to marry, or the groom is lying to the bride and has two boyfriends. The two of them lying together to a Priest is a sin, but, does not have an impact on their ability to make a commitment to each other.
 
Problem #2:

It’s up to you. It may very well be that a godparent who lives across the country can still have an impact on the child’s thoughts about the church.

A godparent taking the role seriously would stay in communication with the godchild, pray for them, talk to them about their progress through the sacraments. If the parents don’t do it then I would hope to have good godparents that could help take up the slack.

ALan
 
Smber2c said:
On the issue #1 with a couple that is co-habitating and having sex…then lying to the priest and saying they are not - would this not be grounds for immediate annulment if they were to later request it.
I’m not a cannon lawyer, but I thought I had understool that any “marriage” that is entered into under false pretenses is has immediate grounds annulment. In a way it seems more wrong that she’s lying to the priest about it all than the fact that she’s having pre-marital sex and co-habitating. After all, if she were honest and told the priest: oh we do have sex and live together and won’t stop even for a few months as you are asking, I sincerly doubt he would preside at the wedding.
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1.) NO! It would NOT be immediate grounds for an anullment, as co-habitation is not an impediment to marriage. There are no real grounds for an immediate decree of nullity. A marriage conducted outside of the rite of the Church without dispensation and then not rectified has a shorter form, but all the rest of the reasons, including psychological immaturity to make a vow at the time of marriage, and pregnancy as the sole reason for a marriage, still require the long process. In any case, what you have described will NOT nullify the sacrament.
2.) Nobody asked your gf to lie to the priest. If he asks, it’s another matter entirely. She can say, “Father, I was asked not to discuss that with you by ‘Tara’”. Believe me, that says it all without your gf being the unfortunate go-between in this venture!!!:eek: Your gf simply does not volunteer the information, and she doesn’t track the priest down to inform him of this lifestyle. It’s wrong to go chasing after the souls of grown people who know better to the extent of behaving in a childish manner. If you were underage, it would be called “tattling”. The bride and groom have been told. The priest will not appreciate it, either. Unless questioned on it, your gf should leave it in God’s hands.

Again, your gf can bow out of the wedding party, being polite as possible, and attending the reception. Pat the Cat’s advice is excellent! Why doesn’t your gf try that?
 
OutinChgoburbs said:
2.) Nobody asked your gf to lie to the priest. If he asks, it’s another matter entirely. She can say, “Father, I was asked not to discuss that with you by ‘Tara’”. Believe me, that says it all without your gf being the unfortunate go-between in this venture!!!:eek: Your gf simply does not volunteer the information, and she doesn’t track the priest down to inform him of this lifestyle. It’s wrong to go chasing after the souls of grown people who know better to the extent of behaving in a childish manner. If you were underage, it would be called “tattling”. The bride and groom have been told. The priest will not appreciate it, either. Unless questioned on it, your gf should leave it in God’s hands.
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Chgoburbs, due to the fact the my girlfriend is not the closest of friends with Tara anymore I don’t think that she has an obligation to render assistance here, but I strongly disagree with the “not my brothers keeper” mentality that several people suggest here. Yes, this couple are “grown ups”, they should handle their business, one shouldn’t “tattle” on them…but you know really the childish thing in to fail virtue due to the peep pressure of being called a tattle tale.

I see this rediculous occurance once or twice a year where I hear someone say, “well I’m not my brother’s keeper”. They do it to say ‘stay out of other people’s buisness’ and think they are using the Bible to back up their point. The incredible irony is they are quoting a man who had just murdered his brother.

Now no one here made such a gaff, and likely people posting on these boards are too intelligent to make such a blunder, but living in our society and having our Catholic ideals constantly being pulled down to other’s levels we often start to think the socital norms are correct.

Were ‘Tara’ a close friend, or certainly a sibling of mine, (she is in fact a girl I now live 1,600 miles from and have met 3 or 4 times) I would certainly be doing much to assist. Because we are our brother’s keepers.
Starting a marriage on lies does more than just impact their lives. Truely if if was only their lives and their souls, it would still be enough to act; but additionally they increase the risk of an unstable family for future children, they do a disservice to their priest, they injure the sacrament of marriage and defame the rights of the Catholic church.

Having given this more thought, I think I’d absolutely talk to her about it, and perhaps encourage my girlfriend to share this information she was told with the priest.
American individualism is great to a point, but we have to help keep others accountable.
We don’t just say to the recovering pedophiliac, “control yourself from now on”. We tell him he can’t work in schools or day cares. We have public notices of a sex offender being in the area. We do what we have to, to keep the crime from happening again. Many would say that these actions are to protect children (are of course they are), but they are also to protect the child molestor. By not allowing him the chance to fail again, we make his recovery that much easier and more likely (weather he really wants to reform or not).
 
It is not a matter of “brother’s keeper” but a matter of prudence.

Your explanation and rationale show you have not really read my post. Comparing a co-habiting couple and a pedophie are apples and oranges, and a straw man. Do you want to debate, or do you want advice?

Nobody is asking anybody to lie. However, there is a difference between, “Father, do you know Tara is still living with her boyfriend?” and “Father, Tara asked me in condifence not to say anything about this to you.” Father will know it.

We are our brother’s keeper. We are not our brother’s police officer. There is a fine line between helping somebody, and interferring when confidence was requested.

Biblically, one is supposed to first go to the person in question, anyway. The Church also deals withthis matter in the CCC. Use the searchable one on USCCB.ORG and search “prudence”.

I really think Pat the Cat has the best answer for you.

But you seem bent on asking for advice, then throwing it away, but making justification for doing so. That’s OK. Advice is just that. Use it or not. Please just say “Thanks” and do what you want with it.

I, for one, don’t need a sermon on “my brother’s keeper”. I am old enough to be your mother and then some, and will always be older than you are. I have some experience at lving life. You are under no obligation to use it. Please, just be polite about not using it.
 
Thanks to orionythehunter, we have been supplied with the first part of the CCC regarding truth:
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Orionthehunter:
From the Catechism in the Section called Offenses agains the Truth:

2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:
  • of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;
  • of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another’s faults and failings to persons who did not know them;
  • of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.
From the Catechism in the Section called “Respect for the Truth”:

2488 The right to the communication of the truth is not unconditional. Everyone must conform his life to the Gospel precept of fraternal love. This requires us in concrete situations to judge whether or not it is appropriate to reveal the truth to someone who asks for it.

2491 Professional secrets—for example, those of political office holders, soldiers, physicians, and lawyers—or confidential information given under the seal of secrecy must be kept, save in exceptional cases where keeping the secret is bound to cause very grave harm to the one who confided it, to the one who received it or to a third party, and where the very grave harm can be avoided only by divulging the truth**.** Even if not confided under the seal of secrecy, private information prejudicial to another is not to be divulged without a grave and proportionate reason.

2492 Everyone should observe an appropriate reserve concerning persons’ private lives. Those in charge of communications should maintain a fair balance between the requirements of the common good and respect for individual rights. Interference by the media in the private lives of persons engaged in political or public activity is to be condemned to the extent that it infringes upon their privacy and freedom.
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OutinChgoburbs said:
It is not a matter of “brother’s keeper” but a matter of prudence.

Your explanation and rationale show you have not really read my post. Comparing a co-habiting couple and a pedophie are apples and oranges, and a straw man. Do you want to debate, or do you want advice?

Nobody is asking anybody to lie. However, there is a difference between, “Father, do you know Tara is still living with her boyfriend?” and “Father, Tara asked me in condifence not to say anything about this to you.” Father will know it.

We are our brother’s keeper. We are not our brother’s police officer. There is a fine line between helping somebody, and interferring when confidence was requested.

Biblically, one is supposed to first go to the person in question, anyway. The Church also deals withthis matter in the CCC. Use the searchable one on USCCB.ORG and search “prudence”.

I really think Pat the Cat has the best answer for you.

But you seem bent on asking for advice, then throwing it away, but making justification for doing so. That’s OK. Advice is just that. Use it or not. Please just say “Thanks” and do what you want with it.

I, for one, don’t need a sermon on “my brother’s keeper”. I am old enough to be your mother and then some, and will always be older than you are. I have some experience at lving life. You are under no obligation to use it. Please, just be polite about not using it.
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OutinChgoburbs, when examining polite behavior, suggesting that a person’s girlfriend should “keep her mouth shut” is not really in the realm of friendly action. When I write a post, I write in a manner which is pointed to truth and purity. If a person’s opinion is in the way other either, then no offence intended, but I will explain that it is errant.

So, yes initially I was asking for advice, and got it, which I am glad for. Having gotten this information, I then have been able to enter in continued dialogue to further inspect the subject.

I made the observation that people were acting like they aren’t responsible for their brothers and sisters in Christ…we are. Additionally I stated that in trying to make me feel immature and childish by suggesting to speak with the priest may be “tattling”, you were in fact using a childish sort of peer pressure.
Both of these are true statements and I stand by them. I certainly meen no offense, and apoligise for any discomfort that cause, but will not deny the accuracy of the statements.

Additionally in this most recent post you suggest several things:
  1. I’m throwing away advice.
  2. I didn’t read your post.
  3. I’m not experience enough in life. (inferred, but definantly there)
so adress this:
  1. I’m not throwing advice away, I’m engaging the advice to show where it is misguided.
  2. Just not true.
  3. I simply look to Paul’s exortion to Timothy and remind myself that elders will often call me dim or inexperienced; but as long as I stand for truth and purity of action that doesn’t matter.
So you are older, fine - it’s a complete non-factor as to the accuracy of points you, myself, or Pat the Cat have made.

P.S. - you are correct Pat made some great suggestions and it seems things worked out beautifully in that situation - I pray for the same.
 
I don’t understand why " Tara" wants to lie to the priest. Priests will still allow the wedding to go on despite cohabitation and fornication. Of course it is highly reccomended “Tara” and “John” go to confession and do their best to not be living together and having sex.

Plenty of people have been in this situation, including myself. I didn’t lie to the priest though. I told him exactly what my situation was and he didn’t have a problem with it. Nobody is perfect.

I know it can be disheartening to see friends fall away from the faith or disregard some important aspects of it but aren’t you glad they are still getting married in the church and taking steps ( albeit lying to the priest is pointless ) to come back?

I would think she needs support rather than a tattler.

My Godmother told me sternly that she would not be doing a reading at my wedding ceremony unless I was living chastely. I informed her immediately that I had been to confession. And that was that. The rest wasn’t really her business.
 
Sina said:
I don’t understand why " Tara" wants to lie to the priest. Priests will still allow the wedding to go on despite cohabitation and fornication. Of course it is highly reccomended “Tara” and “John” go to confession and do their best to not be living together and having sex.

Plenty of people have been in this situation, including myself. I didn’t lie to the priest though. I told him exactly what my situation was and he didn’t have a problem with it. Nobody is perfect.

I know it can be disheartening to see friends fall away from the faith or disregard some important aspects of it but aren’t you glad they are still getting married in the church and taking steps ( albeit lying to the priest is pointless ) to come back?

I would think she needs support rather than a tattler.

My Godmother told me sternly that she would not be doing a reading at my wedding ceremony unless I was living chastely. I informed her immediately that I had been to confession. And that was that. The rest wasn’t really her business.
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Sina, thanks for your post, I do think that prayer and support are certainly needed. As you said many people have been in this situation and yes, good Catholics would be happy to see and closening of a couple with thier Lord.

That said, now that I’ve given this issue more thought, I’ve got great misgivings. You wrote: “but aren’t you glad they are still getting married in the church”…no with their complete disreguard of the church’s teachings on proper relations and the fact that they are doing this without intent to practice as Catholics after the wedding…it looks like a mockery of a marriage.
Having met her, I know they use controceptives currently and intend to continue.

To explain my problem with their getting married in the Church is they aren’t an example of Catholics trying to do right but being pulled down by temptation. ‘Tara’ does not see mass as necessary; she doesn’t agree or listen on the church’s teaching on sex, habitation, or contaceptives; and she’s lying to the priest about all of it to get a marriage in the church.
Now it isn’t my decision if a person of this sort should get to marry in our church, but I see no problem with making making sure the priest (who does make that decision) has a bit of true information.

Additionally, I instinctivly shudder at the idea of “tattling”, but when I look at what it means…I’m fine with it. If I had a son who was smoking pot and his friend tattled on him…great. If my daughter is sneaking into free movies when the workers aren’t looking at the theater and a random old man “tattles” on them - awesome.
All the word tattle is, is a device that people use to discourage others from taking an action that feels like taking morality to far.
What they don’t realize (well, unless they are trying to support immorality - and I don’t think anyone here is.) is that this feeling of taking morality too far has no moral grounding. They are actually giving into fear. Fear the person will be mad at them. Fear the person will turn it back on them with an equally challenging observation.

Christ’s own words, Luke 12: 49, 51-52: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” - “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three.”

I know many think avoiding ‘tattling’ is following today’s gospel (blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.) as it speaks of meekness…it isn’t. We are called to be meek when speaking about our personal accomplishments or at times in how we convey God’s accomplishments to those who don’t know them. But while we are meek in relation to ‘how’ we speak about God, we cannot censure the message.

The next line of the gospel continues, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”

This line tells us what to do. The previous tells us how to act while doing it. Pursue righteousness, but with a meek heart. But I see no way how silently standing off to the side and letting this person sin and lie about it (injuring themselves through a twisting of their soul) can be the correct moral action.
 
I don’t think you are totally off your rocker and I know you have thought things through, but rightnow it might seem like this couple who plan to have a Catholic wedding celebration aren’t planning on carrying out their faith, but maybe ( and we pray and hope ) they will.

If they got married in a park somewhere by the JP, instead of in the church, wouldn’t that also be a sin? If they seriously came back to the faith and to be in full communion, they would have to go back into a Catholic church to be married anyways.

But I sympathize with you. Just try not to push them away.
 
Here’s an idea…

Go to confession with a priest who doesn’t know you or any other party involved from Adam. Confess that you have information on their living arrangements and are allowing the priest to believe otherwise. See what advice, if any, he gives you. He may tell you it’s not a sin, and if it is, hey, here’s forgiveness right here and an admonition to go ahead and disclose the personal information.

Alan
 
This life we are called to live as Catholics is not always easy and is really hard for those weak in the faith. Their marriage in the church may afford them the grace they need to start the marriage off right, that mass may be the 1st of a pattern or it may be the last, this is up to them, all we can do is pray for them. Hopefully they are being taught in their marriage class - I think most Catholic churches require the pre-marriage classes now - the churches views on contraception and cohabitation and why, you don’t know if they have been to confession or the state of either persons soul. Don’t stand silently by have your GF or you sit this couple down and tell them how you feel and why and that you will be praying for them, maybe they will listen or maybe you will be off the guest list.

And I think the suggestion of you going to confession and asking the priest about this is good advice.

Prayers for Tara and her soon to be Husband.
 
Sina said:
]#!1 it might seem like this couple who plan to have a Catholic wedding celebration aren’t planning on carrying out their faith, but maybe ( and we pray and hope ) they will.

#2 If they got married in a park somewhere by the JP, instead of in the church, wouldn’t that also be a sin? If they seriously came back to the faith and to be in full communion, they would have to go back into a Catholic church to be married anyways.

But I sympathize with you. Just try not to push them away.
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Hey Sina,
#1 you are correct. Sacraments do bestow grace and it would be a wonderfully beautiful thing if their wedding were the turning point for their relationship - where God became its true focus and direction.
I’m honestly not as hopeful as I should be. Something I’ll work on.

#2 I’m not sure it would be a sin for them to marry by a justice of the peace. The Church doesn’t say that Jews, Muslims, Baptists, Athiests, etc…need to get married by Catholic Priests to avoid sin, so would quasi-active Catholics need to use Catholic Priests?
I’m honestly not sure. Someone on here probably knows though.
 
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