Can a non-Catholic attend a Catholic wedding?

Answer 1

My wife was Methodist when we married. During our marriage classes with the priest he told her to be the best Methodist she could possibly be. He asked her to study and understand why Methodists believe what they believe. This recommendation shocked me but I now see the wisdom of the suggestion. My wife converted to Catholicism 6 years later!

Another answer: Both of the answers above are good, to spell it out, the current law in force in the Latin Church forbids mixed marriage or disparity of cult and for liceity in such a case the express permission of the ecclesiastical authority would be needed (for a mixed marriage): in other words for such a marriage to be legal normally a Bishop would have to give his express permission. In the case of disparity of cult a express dispensation would be required for the validly of such a marriage.

Answer 2

A Catholic may marry another Christian (a 'mixed marriage') so long as he/she promises to do his/her best to raise any children in the Catholic faith; the non-Catholic is to be aware of this promise. It is normally sufficient for the priest or deacon acting as Church witness to fill out some brief paper work. The ceremony normally takes place within the church building and it is courtesy to invite the Protestant minister to participate (no permisson is needed).

It is also possible for the ceremony to be conducted in the church of the Protestant party; this would normally be granted by the bishop, especially if the Protestant had a strong connection to his/her church e.g. a relative who is a pastor.

A Catholic may also marry a person who is not a Christian, with the promise regarding children being made. However, such a marriage is called a "Disparity of Cult" and permission must be obtained from the local bishop. In such cases, it is permitted for the ceremony to take place somewhere other than in a church building.

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Catholic AnswerNormally a Catholic is forbidden to marry outside the faith. For a "mixed marriage" as you describe, you need to have permission from your Bishop. You would need to speak with your pastor and discuss your reasons for doing this. If you have good enough reasons - which should be very good, then the non-Catholic can apply for the permission you need if the two of you go through pre-Cana classes, and are showing good faith. You need to be sure that you can live your faith and raise the children in the faith. As one man I used to work with used to say, "you're going to be dead for a long time." Although I wouldn't use his phrasing, the point is that you are only on earth for a short period of time. The reason God put you on earth is to serve Him and to prepare yourself to enter heaven. In other words, the reason you would marry a non-Catholic is that you somehow discern that it is God's Will for you do so, and that in doing so, you will be furthering the chances of your eternal salvation AND his or hers. Remember, marriage means that you are responsible for helping your spouse attain heaven, as well as working out your own salvation. My personal advice is to take this very slowly. Take a year or more to make sure that your faith is firmly established, and to get to know this person better so that you are absolutely positive that you are not endangering your soul, or your childrens' souls. Any person that is worthwhile and really loves a Catholic person should be more than willing to genuinely convert and then the two of you would be working together towards the same end.

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from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A Case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a non-baptized person) requires even greater circumspection.

1634 Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise.

1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority. (Cf. CIC, can. 1124) In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage. (Cf. CIC, can. 1086.) This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude essentials ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church. (Cf. CIC, can 1125)

Note: In other words, you need to speak with your pastor right away, if he approves of the marriage, he will seek the appropriate dispensations from the Bishop.

Answer 3

Yes, as long as the non-Catholic agrees with the Catholic oath to bring up children as Catholic, and to have a permanent marriage without divorce. There are other issues, though, like the non-Catholic cannot be divorced,for example, and other impediments may apply, so ask a priest for specifics.

Answer 4

Of course. The Church would never not allow anyone to go to a wedding just because it was not performed in a Catholic Church. As long as the people getting married were not married before or homosexual, you are able to go to the wedding. This is because going to a wedding implies your approval of the lovers' marriage, and desire to celebrate it with them. If the bride and/or groom were previously married and then divorced or if the couple is homosexual, then you would be supporting a couple who was making the decision to live in sin. The Church is not intolerant or homophobic, and I will address each of these issues one at a time.

Remarriage after divorce is considered adultery. The divorcee has been united and has become one flesh with another person through his/her marriage vows and through intercourse, and so is not free to do so with another person, even if he/she is free to marry in the eyes of the state. Adultery goes against the 6th Commandment, and so it would be a mortal sin to marry another.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul states, "To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband)--and that the husband should not divorce his wife. [...] A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:10-11, 39). This is why the Church does not allow remarriage after divorce. Only if a couple gets an annulment from the Church are they allowed to remarry. An annulment is NOT a Catholic version of divorce. Annulments state that the former marriage did not ever occur because of one or more of the necessary requirements for marriage was not met. If the marriage never actually occured, then they are still free to marry.

The Church is also against homosexual marriage. The Bible says that homosexuals will not enter the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9). That is to say that homosexual ACTIVITY is immoral - not the person themselves. There are plenty of kind, caring homosexuals in this world. It is also possibly for a homosexual to be holy. However, if the person is acting on their impulses and desires, they are living in sin. If someone finds themselves with homosexual tendencies, then he/she should not act on their desires. The definition of a marriage is to be husband and wife, not two men or two women (Webster's New Dictionary, 396). Male and female were created to be together. "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Since homosexual activity is union with someone who is not (and naturally cannot) be your spouse, it too is adultery.

In the book of Wisdom, it describes a people who "call great evils peace" and who "no longer keep either their lives or their marriages pure" (Wisdom 14:22, 24) There is "confusion over what is good, forgetfulness of favors, pollution of souls, sex perversion, disorder in marriage, adultery, and debauchery" (Wisdom 14:26). This sounds a lot like today's society where we fight to make homosexual marriage legal and divorce and remarriage are widespread. The book of Hebrews argues, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous" (Hebrews 13:4).

The Church does not make up rules to limit or take away people's "rights." They have rules because she does not want to see people fall into sin and lose the ultimate prize of heaven. If we go to weddings where someone is getting remarried or the couple is homosexual, we are supporting their new life of sin. However, if the couple does not fall under one of these categories, then you are certainly free to go celebrate with them.

Answer 5

Yes, but the proper paperwork must be validated and certain conditions must apply for this to be the case. The Catholic party must promise to raise any children as catholic.
Well, yes. but if you want it recognized by the catholic church, a priest has to be celebrating the mass. You could have it on a beach or anywhere else in reason as long as a catholic priest is there to celebrate the mass.

Answer 6

A Catholic is allowed to attend a non-Catholic wedding but may not participate in communion if that is part of the service. If the Catholic is asked to be a part of the wedding party (eg: best man, etc.) it is best to check with your Catholic pastor first.

Answer 7

My wife was Methodist when we married. During our marriage classeswith the priest he told her to be the best Methodist she couldpossibly be. He asked her to study and understand why Methodistsbelieve what they believe. This recommendation shocked me but I nowsee the wisdom of the suggestion. My wife converted to Catholicism6 years later!Another answer: Both of the answers above are good, to spell itout, the current law in force in the Latin Church forbids mixedmarriage or disparity of cult and for liceity in such a case theexpress permission of the ecclesiastical authority would beneeded (for a mixed marriage): in other words for such a marriageto be legal normally a Bishop would have to give his expresspermission. In the case of disparity of cult a expressdispensation would be required for the validly of such amarriage.

Answer 8

Catholic Answer
A Catholic may marry a non-Catholic Christian (a 'mixed marriage') so long as he/she promises to do his/her best to raise any children in the Catholic faith and gets permission from his bishop; the non-Catholic is to be aware of this promise. It is normally sufficient for the priest or deacon acting as Church witness to fill out some brief paper work. The ceremony normally takes place within the church building and it is courtesy to invite the Protestant minister to participate (no permisson is needed).
It is also possible for the ceremony to be conducted in the church of the Protestant party; this would normally be granted by the bishop, especially if the Protestant had a strong connection to his/her church e.g. a relative who was pastor.
A Catholic may also marry a person who is not a Christian, with the promise regarding children being made. However, such a marriage is called a "Disparity of Cult" and permission must be obtained from the local bishop. In such cases, it is permitted for the ceremony to take place somewhere other than in a church building. See related links.

A Catholic Priest's Perspective on Interfaith Marriage

MIXED MARRIAGES

Answer 9

No, the ceremony would have to be Catholic

Answer 10

Of course. A wedding is about and for the people getting married, and the Catholic God most certainly understands your attendance at a non-Catholic wedding.