Former Catholic Priest: Can They Perform Weddings?

If you're wondering whether an ex-Catholic priest can perform wedding ceremonies, it's important to understand the Catholic Church's stance on weddings outside of a Catholic church setting. The Church requires that weddings be held in a Catholic parish as it is considered a sacred sacramental occasion. While the Code of Canon Law states that marriages can be celebrated elsewhere with the permission of the local bishop, such authorization is almost impossible to obtain. Bishops are reluctant to grant permission due to their concern for maintaining the sanctity of the occasion.

In rare circumstances, such as political, cultural, or safety reasons, a bishop may grant authorization for a Catholic wedding to be held outside of a church. However, these instances are highly unusual. So, while an ex-Catholic priest may be able to legally officiate a wedding, it will not be recognized by the Catholic Church.

Catholic weddings outside of a church

Catholic weddings are traditionally held inside a Catholic church. This is because the Church views marriage as a sacred ritual through which a Sacrament is made.

However, there are some circumstances in which a Catholic wedding can be held outside of a church. The Code of Canon Law states that:

> "Marriages are to be celebrated in a parish where either of the contracting parties has a domicile… With the permission of the proper ordinary or proper pastor, marriages can be celebrated elsewhere." (Canon 1115)

Although it may be possible to obtain permission from the local bishop to hold a wedding elsewhere, it is very difficult to get this authorisation. Bishops are reluctant to allow outdoor weddings because they are concerned with maintaining the sanctity of the occasion. They may grant permission in exceptional circumstances, such as when a church building has been damaged or if one member of the couple is unable to reach the church due to serious illness or injury.

In some cases, couples have chosen to hold two wedding ceremonies: a small Catholic ceremony in a church, followed by a larger ceremony in their preferred outdoor location. In other cases, couples have opted to have their marriage consecrated by a priest after holding their wedding ceremony elsewhere.

As of 2019, the Archdiocese of Montana and the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Maryland, have ruled that priests and deacons can officiate weddings in "another suitable place". This has allowed couples to marry in venues such as hotels and museums, as well as outdoors.

Ex-priests performing weddings

A wedding is a special moment in the life of a new family. It is a sacred occasion, and a Catholic wedding is the ritual through which a Sacrament takes place: the Sacrament of Marriage. The Church's Code of Canon Law says, "Marriages are to be celebrated in a parish where either of the contracting parties has a domicile... With the permission of the proper ordinary or proper pastor, marriages can be celebrated elsewhere." (Canon 1115).

However, it is almost impossible to obtain authorization from the local bishop to perform weddings outside of a Catholic church. Bishops are very reluctant to grant such authorization as they are concerned with maintaining a sense of the sacred. The reasons why a local bishop may grant authorization for a Catholic wedding to be celebrated elsewhere include political, cultural, or safety reasons. For example, if a church building has suffered structural damage due to a natural disaster.

If a couple wants their marriage to be recognized by the Catholic Church, the ceremony must be held inside a Catholic church. In rare cases, a couple may be able to obtain a dispensation from the local bishop to have their wedding performed outside or in a non-Catholic church by an active Catholic priest. However, this is only granted in very special cases, such as when one of the individuals getting married is bedridden or hospitalized.

If a couple chooses to have their wedding performed by an ex-priest or a "retired" priest (a priest who left the priesthood to marry), it will not be recognized by the Catholic Church. While these individuals can still legally officiate weddings, it will not be considered a sacrament in the eyes of the Church.

Some couples choose to have two wedding ceremonies to navigate these restrictions. They may have a small, legal ceremony in a Catholic church, followed by a larger ceremony in their desired location, which may be officiated by an ex-priest or retired priest.

Ultimately, it is the couple's decision to prioritize either having their marriage recognized by the Catholic Church or having their wedding in their desired location.

Catholic Church recognition of ex-priest weddings

The Catholic Church has strict rules regarding the recognition of weddings performed by ex-priests. While it is possible for a priest to leave the priesthood and perform wedding ceremonies, these marriages are typically not recognized by the Catholic Church.

According to Canon Law, marriages are to be celebrated in a Catholic parish or with special permission from the local bishop, who is generally very reluctant to grant such authorizations for outdoor weddings. The Church maintains that a wedding ceremony is a sacred sacramental occasion, and Christ's presence in the Eucharist is an integral part of the ritual.

In rare and unusual circumstances, a local bishop may grant authorization for a Catholic wedding to be celebrated elsewhere. These circumstances often include political, cultural, or safety reasons, such as when a church building has suffered structural damage due to a natural disaster. However, even in these cases, the marriage must be solemnized by a priest or deacon who is authorized by the Church.

Some individuals have reported getting married outside with a Catholic priest officiating, only to have the marriage convalidated by the Church at a later date. In these cases, the couple must meet the requirements for convalidation, which can vary from parish to parish. It is important to note that not all priests will perform a convalidation for a marriage that was initially performed outside the Church without a valid reason.

Additionally, there are "retired" priests, often those who left the priesthood to marry, who can perform wedding ceremonies outside the Church's authority. While these weddings may feel Catholic in nature, they are not recognized as sacramental marriages by the Catholic Church.

Ultimately, the recognition of weddings performed by ex-priests depends on the specific circumstances and the approval of the local bishop. Couples seeking to have their marriage recognized by the Catholic Church should consult with their local priest and diocese to understand the requirements and options available to them.

Bishops granting authorization for outdoor weddings

The Catholic Church considers weddings to be a sacred sacramental occasion, and as such, they are typically held in a Catholic parish. According to Canon 1115 of the Code of Canon Law, "Marriages are to be celebrated in a parish where either of the contracting parties has a domicile… With the permission of the proper ordinary or proper pastor, marriages can be celebrated elsewhere."

Bishops are the ones who have the authority to grant authorization for a Catholic wedding to be held outside of a church. However, it is notoriously difficult to obtain such permission, as they are hesitant to do so due to their desire to maintain the sanctity of the occasion. They will only consider granting authorization for outdoor weddings in exceptional circumstances, such as political, cultural, or safety reasons. For example, if the church building intended to host the wedding has sustained structural damage from a natural disaster.

The couple's priest can help them navigate the process of requesting authorization from the bishop. The priest can also provide guidance on other options, such as "convalidations" of civil or non-Catholic marriages, which still have rules and requirements that must be followed.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of couples opting for outdoor weddings, and some dioceses have experimented with policies allowing weddings outside of a parish church. For example, the Archdiocese of Baltimore implemented a three-year experimental policy in 2018, which later became permanent, allowing weddings outside of a parish church. This policy was enacted after conversations with couples who wanted to be married in the church but also desired to host their wedding at a special location.

Ultimately, the decision to grant authorization for an outdoor Catholic wedding lies with the local bishop and is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Convalidations of civil or non-Catholic marriages

Convalidation Ceremonies

A convalidation ceremony is a type of marriage ceremony where a couple married outside of the Catholic Church now wants their union to be recognised within it. The word 'convalidation' comes from the Latin word meaning "to firm up" or "to strengthen".

A convalidation ceremony is a religious ceremony for a Catholic couple to be legally wed under Canon law. This ceremony makes the civil wedding official because, in the Catholic tradition, marriages performed outside of the Catholic Church aren't recognised. The convalidation ceremony legitimises the marriage in the eyes of the Church and God.

Requirements for a Valid Catholic Marriage

Three things need to be in place for a true (valid) marriage:

• Capacity: Psychological capacity (emotional maturity and stability) and freedom from impediments (e.g. a prior marriage, vows in a religious order, etc.)
• Consent: To a lifelong, exclusive marriage that is open to children
• Canonical form: To be married in the presence of a Catholic bishop, or a priest or deacon delegated by either the pastor or bishop, and two witnesses according to the Order of Celebrating Matrimony.

Steps Towards Convalidation

• Contact your local parish to discuss your situation and determine what must be done.
• Obtain a new copy of the baptismal certificate for the Catholic party (or parties) from the parish where the person was baptised. If the parish no longer exists or baptismal records are unavailable, contact the Chancery office of that Catholic diocese for assistance.
• Begin collecting the necessary paperwork for the Pre-Nuptial Investigation.
• Participate in formational sessions with a mentor couple, priest, or deacon in the parish to prepare you for sacramental marriage; take a Natural Family Planning Class.
• If there is a prior marriage for either party, seek a Church declaration of nullity.
• As part of your formational sessions, you may be asked to complete a premarital inventory to identify strengths and areas for growth in your relationship.
• If married civilly two years or less, attend a parish or diocesan marriage preparation program; if previously married, discuss with the priest or his delegate options for specialised preparation.
• If married more than two years, it is highly recommended that you attend a marriage enrichment weekend or event.
• Determine the date and most suitable type of ceremony. For two Catholics, a nuptial Mass is suggested so that the first meal shared by the couple is the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Catholic faith. Plan a joyful get-together to celebrate the Church's recognition of your marriage.
• Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and become actively involved together in your parish community.

Frequently asked questions