Can we have a catholic wedding in a C of E church?

Question

Both of our families are catholic and although we're not religious ourselves we would like to have a catholic wedding. We have a found a church we'd like to get married in but it is C of E. The vicar is happy to marry us but obviously it would be CofE service, she's equally happy to let us use the church if our priest will come but isn't sure of the legalities.....

Can anyone help? I don't know where to start!

Answer 1

You should go talk to a Catholic priest first.

Most won't do it because the altar is sacred in the Catholic religion.  If, however, you are doing an inter-faith ceremony then a priest might go and agree to it--you'll have a Catholic priest and the vicar from the C of E church.

Your first step would really be to talk to a Catholic priest and find out.

Answer 2

I am a member of C of E's American component (the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church, the Church of England, same thing), and I know that here, that sort of thing would ALMOST certainly not be allowed.  Churches are very territorial and even in my church which I have always considered to be very progressive and tolerant, to have their entire church taken over by a priest and a Catholic wedding, almost certainly not.  When my husband and I were getting married, our church wouldn't even let us use our own musicians or make our own flower arrangements!  On our budget, this priced us right out of our own church and we wound up married by a justice of the peace, and the only other thing we ever went back to that church for was to have our older daughter baptized.  I digress, but I simply don't see that happening.  And that doesn't even get into the willingness of the priest to come.  Now, having said all of that, and at the risk of negating myself, I would be remiss if I didn't also mention that where I grew up in New York City, my church and the Catholic church in the community shared the same building and did so with no reservations or problems, and this was a regular ongoing thing, so perhaps the best answer it that really depends on the particular church and clergy with whom you're dealing.

I would recommend that you search for a backup site that is a bona fide Catholic church.  The Episcopal Church and the Catholic Church  are so similar that if you were to wind up in a situation where you had to have an Episcopal wedding in order to use that building, just choose a high mass service and you'll barely notice the difference.  However, if the Pope is really that important to you (we were tired of the Pope, and Henry the eighth wanted a divorce Rome wouldn't give him, hence the Church of England), find a Catholic church just in case.  This shouldn't be too hard as so many of them are exquisite.

Have a BEAUTIFUL, blessed wedding!

EDIT:

If the vicar already said that using the church was fine with her, make sure she has the final word, and if she does, then your deal-breaker appears to be the priest.  He's the one you need to get agreement from so your first order of business is to talk to your priest.

Answer 3

Up to the priest.  

Answer 4

It depends on the diocese and the priest. Some will, some won't. Technically they can, but a lot of places have restrictions beyond what canon says. How are you going to find a priest though? Presumably if you're not religious you aren't members of any church.

Answer 5

I think the answer would be no.  I am almost certain.  I am terrible with terminology, but it is the ALTAR at the Church that is sacred for Catholics.  That is why they have you get married INSIDE the Catholic Church... rather than a beach, or garden, or home.

Let's say your Church name is St. Charles.  INSIDE the altar is a relic of St. Charles.  It could be anything... a particle of bone, a personal item.  There's a reason why each Church gets what it does, but I forget why.  Also there's the candle above the altar.  I forget what it's called (see how bad I am with terminology?)  It's usually in some sort of red glass, inside a fancy metal container.  That candle is always lit.  That is the presence of Jesus in the Church.

I know NOTHING about C of E.  Do they claim to have Apostolic Succession?  If not, then the Catholic church does not recgnize their pastors as having a true ordination.  So anything that they bless would not be valid in the eyes of the Church.  If they do have Apostolic succession, then the question is whether the Catholic Church agrees that they do.  If so, then it might be up to the Pastor.

The way I understand it, they simply cannot perform these ceremonies outside of the Catholic Church... unless there are extenuating circumstances... and a location preference is not extenuating.

But the only way to know for sure is to ask your Catholic Priest.  I think he will say he can't... but you won't know until you ask.

Answer 6

talk to the chatolic priest he would know

as the priest of the church is willing to let you use it (thank god for european acceptance), it really would stand on what the priest you wanted to use said

by the sound of it ...it dont sound like it would be posible, however while this is international, most here are from US, and even with how US is suposedly so western and all the truth is they are also very kontroversial, so it may pay out to ask your own priest and hear what he said, european norms can be different

many eurpean countries have near state churches where the buildings in all essence are almost to be considered state property and open for usage of everyone, and based on that may be different customs and all

so i'd advice you to talk to the priest you want to use, as it sounds like it all now stands on what he can or are willing to do ;)

good luck and congrats on geting wed

Answer 7

No, Catholic weddings have to be performed in a Catholic church to be considered valid by the Church.

Answer 8

I would just about bet that you aren't going to find a Catholic priest that will marry you outside of a Catholic church. Marriage is a sacrament  in the Catholic religion making it sacred and holy. Other religions don't celebrate sacraments in the same way we do. Even though you are looking to get married in a church, a priest probably still won't do it. Doesn't hurt to ask though!

Good luck to you!

Answer 9

Although the usual practice is for a Catholic marriage to be celebrated is in a parish church, the bishop can give permission for the marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.

For more information, see the Code of Canon Law, Canon 1118: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__...

With love in Christ.

Answer 10

You can't have a Catholic wedding unless at least one of you is Catholic. And it will have to be in a Catholic Church, where Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist -- The Catholic Church doesn't recognize the CofE's opinion on these things as valid.

If you aren't religious and the CofE vicar doesn't consider belief in Christ necessary for having a Christian wedding rite, then I think you'd best go with her.  

Answer 11

I dont understand what you are saying, whats the point of having a church wedding if you are not religious ?

Why do people only visit church when someone gets married, christened or dies ? and why if you have not been brought up in faith is it important to you to take your vows in church when you dont believe.

If you just want a pretty church then that makes a mockery of religion, it should be about taking your vows in the eyes of God in the faith that you have been brought up in.

I am Church of England and getting married in June in my church, its about believing in what you say and being serious about your vows, its not about photographs of a quaint church.

I bet you went looking for a pretty church so it would look good in pictures its not about God is it ?

Shame on you, I bet you wont set foot inside the church again once you are married, you do realise that you have to attend service whilst the bans are being read and you cant get married in church unless you have been christened.