A Christian-Catholic Wedding: Can They Mix?

A Christian-Catholic wedding ceremony is possible, but it is a complex process. The Catholic Church defines a mixed marriage as one between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian, and a non-sacramental marriage as one between a Catholic and a non-Christian. In the latter case, the Catholic must obtain a dispensation from disparity of cult from their bishop for the marriage to be valid. The non-Catholic partner does not have to convert but must be made aware of the Catholic's promise to share their faith with their children. The Church prefers such weddings to be held in a Catholic church, but a dispensation from canonical form can be granted by the bishop to allow the ceremony to take place elsewhere. While a non-Catholic minister can be present and address the couple, only a priest can officiate a Catholic wedding.

The Catholic Church's view of marriage

The Catholic Church views marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, rooted in their creation by God and established by Him as a lifelong partnership. This covenant is ordered towards the mutual good of the spouses, the procreation and education of children, and the attainment of holiness.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, marriage is a "covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life and which is ordered by its nature to the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring." This covenant, when entered into between baptised persons, is elevated by Christ to the dignity of a sacrament.

The Church teaches that marriage is not merely a human institution but a divine creation, reflecting the union between Christ and His Church. It is meant to be a lifelong commitment, indissoluble except by death, and exclusive, precluding polygamy and divorce. The Church also emphasises the importance of conjugal chastity and the unitive and procreative nature of sexual intimacy within marriage.

In the Catholic tradition, the spouses themselves are understood to be the ministers of the sacrament of marriage, mutually conferring it upon each other through their consent. The presence of a priest or deacon, as well as witnesses, is required for the marriage to be valid according to Church law.

The Church recognises marriages between two baptised non-Catholic Christians, as well as between a baptised non-Catholic Christian and a Catholic, as sacramental. In the latter case, permission from the diocesan bishop, termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage", is necessary. Marriages between a Catholic and a non-baptised person are not considered sacramental but are recognised as valid if a "dispensation from disparity of cult" is granted.

While the Church permits marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics, it does not encourage the practice due to the challenges that arise. The non-Catholic spouse is not required to convert but must be informed of the Catholic spouse's promise to remain faithful to their faith and do their best to have their children baptised and raised Catholic.

The Church's requirements for a valid marriage include the freedom of both spouses to marry, their mutual consent freely given, the intention to marry for life and be faithful, and the presence of witnesses and a properly authorised Church minister.

Interfaith marriages

Ecumenical and Interfaith Marriages

Until recent decades, the idea of a Catholic marrying outside the faith was practically unheard of, if not taboo. In the past, such weddings took place in private ceremonies in the parish rectory, not in a church sanctuary in front of hundreds of friends and family. Today, many people marry across religious lines. The rate of ecumenical marriages (a Catholic marrying a baptized non-Catholic) and interfaith marriages (a Catholic marrying a non-baptized non-Christian) varies by region. In areas of the US with proportionately fewer Catholics, as many as 40% of married Catholics may be in ecumenical or interfaith marriages.

Challenges of Interfaith Marriages

Because of the challenges that arise when a Catholic marries someone of a different religion, the church does not encourage the practice. However, it does try to support ecumenical and interfaith couples and help them prepare to meet those challenges with a spirit of holiness. Theologian Robert Hater, author of the 2006 book, "When a Catholic Marries a Non-Catholic," writes: "To regard mixed religion marriages negatively does them a disservice. They are holy covenants and must be treated as such."

A marriage can be regarded at two levels – whether it is valid in the eyes of the Church and whether it is a sacrament. Both depend in part on whether the non-Catholic spouse is a baptized Christian or a non-baptized person, such as a Jew, Muslim, or atheist.

Catholic-Jewish Weddings

Jews and Christians share the view of marriage as a holy union and a symbol of God's bond with his people. Stricter branches of Judaism, such as Orthodox and Conservative, forbid or strongly discourage Jews from marrying non-Jews and prohibit their rabbis from participating in interreligious marriage ceremonies. A Catholic-Jewish wedding is often held at a neutral site – with permission from the bishop – so that neither family will feel uncomfortable. In such cases, a rabbi is likely to officiate. The couple needs to have a dispensation from the canonical form for such a wedding to be valid in the Catholic Church.

Catholic-Muslim Marriages

Marriages between Catholics and Muslims present their own particular challenges. Islamic men may marry outside of their faith only if their spouse is Christian or Jewish. A non-Muslim wife is not required to adopt any Muslim laws, and her husband cannot keep her from attending church or synagogue. However, Islamic women are forbidden from marrying non-Muslim men unless the spouse agrees to convert to Islam. For Catholics and Muslims, one of the most difficult aspects of marriage is the religion of the children. Both faiths insist that the children of such marriages become part of their own religious faith.

Pastoral Measures for Interfaith Marriages

Pastoral measures to minimize the problems of interfaith marriages include instruction of a non-Catholic party in the essentials of the Catholic faith for purposes of understanding. Ideally, some instruction should also be given to the Catholic party regarding their partner's beliefs. The Catholic party to a mixed marriage is required to declare their intention to continue the practice of the Catholic faith and to promise to do all in their power to share their faith with the children born of the marriage by having them baptized and raised as Catholics. No declarations or promises are required of the non-Catholic party, but they must be informed of the declaration and promise made by the Catholic.

Ecumenical marriages

For a marriage between a Catholic and another Christian to be considered valid in the eyes of the Church, the Catholic party must obtain official permission from the diocese to enter into the marriage and follow all the stipulations for a Catholic wedding. The non-Catholic partner does not have to convert, but they must be made "'truly aware' of the meaning of the Catholic party's promise to remain faithful to their faith and to do all in their power to have their children baptised and raised as Catholics.

The Catholic Church recognises marriages between baptised non-Catholic Christians and Catholics as sacramental. However, in such cases, consent from the diocesan bishop must be obtained, which is termed "permission to enter into a mixed marriage". The Catholic Church requires a dispensation for mixed marriages, which can be granted by the bishop or the local ordinary.

Ecumenical weddings ideally take place in a Catholic church, preferably the parish church of the Catholic party. If the couple wishes to marry elsewhere, they must get permission from the local bishop. The priest is the only one who may officiate at a Catholic wedding, but it is common and acceptable for the non-Catholic spouse's minister to be present at the wedding and offer a few words. It is generally recommended that communion not be included in the ceremony.

Ecumenical couples can play an important and positive role in the ecumenical movement. They are encouraged to seek growth in faith together, find common ground between their traditions, and respect each other's religious differences. They can learn about each other's traditions through conversation and reading, and participate in joint activities such as meeting each other's pastors and attending events at each other's churches.

The wedding ceremony

The Catholic party to a mixed marriage must declare their intention to continue practising the Catholic faith and promise to do everything in their power to share their faith with their children, including having them baptised and raised as Catholics. The non-Catholic party does not have to make any promises but must be informed of the Catholic party's declaration and promise.

A Catholic wedding ceremony can include a Nuptial Mass. However, it is generally recommended that ecumenical or interfaith weddings do not include Communion. This is because the reception of Communion is considered a sign of unity, and half of the congregation not being able to take part would not be a sign of welcome or unity.

A Catholic wedding ceremony must be officiated by a priest or deacon. A non-Catholic minister may also attend the ceremony and address, pray with, and bless the couple, but they may not officiate or preside at a joint ceremony.

The validity of the marriage

The Catholic Church considers a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian to be a sacramental mixed marriage. For such a marriage to be valid, the Catholic party must obtain official permission from the diocese and follow all the stipulations for a Catholic wedding. The non-Catholic party does not have to convert but must be made aware of the Catholic party's promise to remain faithful to their faith and to do their best to have their children baptised and raised as Catholics.

A Catholic marrying a non-baptised non-Christian is known as a marriage with disparity of cult. For this type of marriage to be valid, the Catholic party must obtain a dispensation from disparity of cult from the local bishop. The non-Catholic party must be made aware of the Catholic party's promise to remain faithful to their faith and to do their best to have their children baptised and raised as Catholics. The non-Catholic party does not have to agree to these terms, but if they insist that the children will not be raised Catholic, the diocese may still grant permission for the marriage.

The Catholic Church recognises marriages between two non-Christians or between a Catholic and a non-Christian, but these are not considered sacramental. In the latter case, the Catholic party must seek permission from their bishop for the marriage to occur. This permission is known as dispensation from disparity of cult.

The Catholic Church also has requirements for a marriage to be considered valid. These include that the spouses are free to marry, they freely exchange their consent, they intend to marry for life and be faithful, and their consent is given in the presence of two witnesses and a properly authorised church minister.

Frequently asked questions