Catholic Wedding Question

Question

I am a member of United Church of Christ and my fiancee is Catholic. He moved down to my area and does not attend church regularly. His parents would like us to marry Catholic, and they understand that I will not be converting. I still do go to church and am very active there. Can we get married in my church, but use a Cathlic priest as well as my reverand to do the service? I'm just a little overwhelmed. Thanks!

Answer 1

The Roman Catholic church technically will do this, but there are a few barriers.

The difficulty is that he doesn't have a home parish. The Roman Rite will marry a Catholic to a non-Catholic. However, most churches will not marry if neither person attends that church (keeps the number of weddings down, churches don't charge, and it's a lot of work for the priest).

In addition, some dioceses or parishes have additional rules and make their own restrictions (i.e. they will not conduct a wedding unless both parties are RC). There might also be a problem with the fact that it would be in your church.

My pre-cana (the pre-marital counselling course) had an extra session because my fiance isn't RC. The priest who spoke there talked about planning weddings when one party isn't Catholic, and very much encouraged us to make sure we had both traditions represented. It is even possible to get what is known as a dispensation from form, which will have your marriage be recognised by the Catholic church even if performed by a minister of a different denomination. However, this has to come from the bishop, so it might be subject to the same restrictions as before.

The only way to know for sure what can be done is to go to whichever church is your fiance's (the one where he is registered) and talk to the pastor.  

Answer 2

The Catholic church will actually not allow that to happen. I suggest maybe an outdoor wedding with a non-church official to marry you. If that is not an option for you I would talk to you reverand and see if he can preform the catholic ceremony.

Answer 3

I got married in the church and they did ask if each of us was catholic then we had to provide our baptism certificates but I am sure they would do the wedding without you converting..

just keep in mind with getting married in the Catholic church you will have to have meetings with the priest, compatibility testing and if the priest thinks you are a good match will he then agree to do the ceremony and you still have to go through the classes before marriage  

Answer 4

Just have a UCC wedding.  

I grew up Catholic and hubby's family was UCC.  

I did not want to get married Catholic despite my 12 years of Catholic School...yes, a huge disappointment to my parents, but I'm over it.

The Catholic church will most likely want no part of what you are requesting.  They get very finicky when it comes to these things.

Just enjoy the UCC ceremony and tell the parents to be happy that you're getting married in a church at all.

Answer 5

No the catholic church won't allow that. They are very strict and stubborn. Almost any other faith would probably say OK to that arrangement. He should talk to his parents and have them understand that since you are the religious one and active in your church that you are getting married in your church. Unless it is your fiancee that really wants to get married in the Catholic church. Then you have some decisions to make. If it is just his parents do your church. You are getting married - not them.