Franklin Dean
The Catholic Church has strict rules regarding marriage, and those wishing to marry must meet certain requirements. Both partners do not need to be Catholic, but both must be baptised Christians, and at least one must be Catholic. A Catholic can marry a non-baptised person, but such marriages are not considered sacramental. A Catholic wishing to marry a non-Catholic Christian must obtain permission from their bishop, and the non-Catholic must be made aware of the undertaking and obligation to raise their children as Catholics. The Church also requires couples to attend premarital classes and marriage preparation. While the Church considers marriage to be a natural and supernatural institution, it is not considered a sacrament. The Catholic Church does not recognise same-sex marriage. In the United States, priests can legally marry a couple without a separate civil ceremony, but this is not common practice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic weddings without marriage licenses | Very rare |
| Catholic weddings with only one partner being Catholic | Possible, but requires permission from the Bishop |
| Catholic weddings with both partners being Catholic | Possible, but both must be baptized |
| Catholic weddings with one partner being a non-baptized Christian | Possible, but requires dispensation from the Bishop |
| Catholic weddings with one partner being a non-Christian | Possible, but requires dispensation from the Bishop |
| Catholic weddings with divorced individuals | Possible, but only if the Church grants a declaration of nullity |
| Catholic weddings with individuals who have had a same-sex civil marriage | Not recognized by the Catholic Church |
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What You'll Learn
A marriage license is required by the priest or pastor
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that marriage is a "community of life and love" established by God and that the "vocation to marriage is written in the very nature of man and woman." The Church teaches that a married couple commits themselves totally to one another until death, and the vows they make are a commitment "until death do us part." Therefore, the Church does not take marriage lightly and has specific requirements that must be met for a valid Catholic marriage.
Both partners do not have to be Catholic to be sacramentally married in the Catholic Church, but both must be baptized Christians, and at least one must be Catholic. If one partner is not Catholic, the couple can be married in a Catholic church or a non-Catholic church with the proper permissions. In the United States, priests or deacons have the power to marry couples legally and sacramentally. The priest signs the marriage license, and the couple is then legally married.
In addition to the marriage license, the couple must also complete marriage preparation, which may include premarital classes through the church. If one or both partners have been married before, they must inform the priest, even if it was only a civil ceremony. The priest will help the couple ensure that their marriage will be valid and, if both partners are baptized Christians, sacramental.
While there may be some exceptions or sympathetic circumstances, the Catholic Church generally requires a marriage license and adheres to specific guidelines for a valid Catholic marriage.
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A Catholic can marry a non-Catholic Christian with permission
The Catholic Church recognizes that a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic Christian with permission. This permission is called a "permission to enter into a mixed marriage". The couple must meet the criteria for a valid Catholic marriage and the Catholic individual must seek permission from the local bishop to marry a non-Catholic Christian. The Catholic Church teaches that marriage between two baptized persons is a sacrament. The Church prefers that marriages between Catholics and other Christians be celebrated in the parish church of one of the spouses.
Marriage preparation programs are available to help couples develop a better understanding of Christian marriage, evaluate and deepen their readiness for married life, and gain insights into themselves as individuals and as a couple. These programs are offered by the diocese and parish, and may include a weekend program with other couples, small group sessions, or meetings with an experienced married couple. Some programs are specifically designed for remarriage, children brought into the marriage, or marriage to a non-Catholic.
It is important to note that the Catholic Church considers marriage a "covenant, by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life, ordered toward the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring". This means that marriage is the union of a man and a woman, excluding same-sex unions and polygamous relationships. Additionally, all marriages and sexual relations within marriage must be open to the possibility of children, with any form of artificial contraception considered gravely evil.
While the Catholic Church recognizes marriages between Catholics and non-Catholic Christians with permission, it is rare for the Church to perform weddings without a marriage license. The Church's doctrine is clear that if one of the partners is not Catholic, the marriage is not considered valid unless the proper dispensation is granted. The priest or pastor is expected to ask for the marriage license before the ceremony. In some cases, a convalidation ceremony may be performed by a priest after the wedding to bless the marriage in the eyes of the Church.
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A Catholic can marry a non-Christian with permission
The Catholic Church recognises marriages between a Catholic and a non-Christian, but these are not considered sacramental. In such cases, 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 spouse has a particular task in this situation: “For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband” (1 Cor. 7:16).
The Catholic Church calls this situation a "disparity of cult", and there are circumstances in which such a marriage may be allowed. The spouses risk experiencing difficulties due to differences in faith, the notion of marriage, and religious mentalities. These differences can become sources of tension in marriage, especially regarding the education of children. The Catholic party must also confirm their obligations to preserve their faith and ensure the baptism and Catholic education of their children.
To obtain permission for a mixed marriage, the Catholic Christian party must seek dispensation from their local bishop. This permission is termed "dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage". The marriage would be valid, but it would not be a sacrament as sacramental marriage requires two baptised persons. The Catholic Christian party must also undertake to prevent defection from the faith and ensure that all children are baptised and raised in the Catholic Church. The non-Catholic party must be made aware of these undertakings and obligations.
While the Church prefers that marriages between Catholics and other Christians be celebrated in the parish church of one of the spouses, authorisation for mixed marriages is more easily granted in present-day circumstances due to religious diversity. It is important to note that the Church will not perform a wedding "for show" and requires at least one current practitioner in good standing. The priest may also require marriage prep counselling before performing the ceremony.
In some countries, Catholic churches make civil marriage concurrent with the religious ceremony. However, this may vary depending on the location and specific circumstances. It is recommended to speak to your priest early in the process to guide you on what to do.
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Marriage preparation is required
Marriage preparation can be done at one church, with the wedding ceremony taking place at another. The couple must clear this with the priest or deacon performing the wedding ceremony, and the church where the marriage preparation took place will send all the necessary paperwork and proof of preparation to the other church.
Marriage preparation is also required for convalidation, which is a blessing after a wedding so that the church views the marriage as valid. This is an option for couples who are already legally married but did not have a Catholic wedding ceremony.
In the United States, priests and deacons have the power to marry couples legally and sacramentally. This means that a separate civil ceremony is not required. However, the Catholic Church does not recognise civil marriages between two men or two women, even as a civil union.
For a Catholic marriage to be considered sacramental, both partners do not need to be Catholic, but both must be baptised Christians. If one party is not a Catholic Christian, express permission is required from the bishop or local ordinary. A Catholic can marry an unbaptised person, but such marriages are not considered sacramental and are discouraged by the Church.
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A Catholic politician who supports abortion may be denied marriage
The Catholic Church considers abortion to be a grave sin and an act of "formal cooperation with a grave evil". As such, Catholic politicians who support abortion rights are often denied communion and other religious privileges, as the Church believes that they are unfit to receive these sacraments due to their stance on abortion. In some cases, Catholic voters may be influenced by the Church's stance and choose not to support politicians who are in favor of abortion.
While the Church's denial of communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion may not directly impact their legal ability to marry, it does highlight the importance the Church places on its teachings and the expectation that its members, especially those in positions of power, abide by them.
Marriage in the Catholic Church is considered a sacred sacrament, and the Church has strict rules regarding who can marry and how the ceremony should be conducted. According to Church doctrine, both parties must be Catholic for the marriage to be considered sacramental; if one party is not Catholic, the couple can still marry in a Catholic church but must obtain permission from their bishop. Additionally, the Church typically requires that the couple present a marriage license before the ceremony and that at least one of them is a current practitioner in good standing.
In the case of a Catholic politician who supports abortion, the Church's denial of communion and other sacraments may extend to the refusal of a Catholic wedding ceremony. The Church may view the politician's support for abortion as a grave sin, which could disqualify them from receiving the sacrament of marriage in a Catholic church. However, it is important to note that the final decision would likely rest with the individual bishop or priest overseeing the ceremony, and there may be some flexibility depending on the specific circumstances.
Ultimately, while the Catholic Church strongly opposes abortion and expects its members to abide by its teachings, the decision to deny marriage to a Catholic politician who supports abortion may vary depending on the specific circumstances and the discretion of the Church officials involved.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Catholic Church does not perform weddings without a marriage license. A marriage license is required for a Catholic wedding, and the priest or deacon will sign the marriage license during the ceremony.
Both partners do not need to be Catholic, but both must be baptized Christians, and at least one must be Catholic. Non-Christians cannot receive the sacraments. If a Catholic wishes to marry a non-baptized person, they must receive a special dispensation from their bishop.
Yes, a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic Christian with express permission from their bishop. The Catholic party must also agree to remove dangers of defecting from the faith and to raise their children as Catholics.
Yes, the Catholic Church recognizes marriages between a Catholic and a non-Christian, but these are not considered sacramental. The Catholic party must obtain permission from their bishop, and the non-Catholic party must be made aware of the undertaking to raise their children in the Catholic faith.
