Joshua Bennett
Marriage in the Catholic Church, also known as holy matrimony, is a sacrament and a covenant between a man and a woman. The Catholic Church recognizes sacramental marriages between two baptized non-Catholic Christians, as well as marriages between baptized non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians. If a Catholic wishes to marry a non-Catholic Christian, the Catholic must seek permission from the local bishop, and the non-Catholic spouse does not have to promise to have the children raised Catholic, but the Catholic spouse must. The Catholic Church tries to accommodate mixed marriages and bless them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marriage in Catholic Church | Holy matrimony |
| Marriage definition | A covenant by which a man and woman establish a partnership of the whole of life |
| Catholic matrimonial law | Based on Roman law regarding marriage as a free mutual agreement or contract |
| Catholic Church recognition | Marriages between two non-Catholic Christians, and marriages between non-Catholic Christians and Catholic Christians |
| Catholic/non-Catholic marriages | Called mixed marriages |
| Sacramental marriage | If a Catholic marries a baptised non-Catholic |
| Non-Sacramental marriage | If a Catholic marries a non-baptised person |
| Mixed marriages | Require permission from the Church |
| Marriages outside the Catholic Church | Need permission from the local bishop |
| Non-Catholic marriages | Valid in the eyes of the Church |
| Valid Catholic marriage | Requires spouses to be free to marry, exchange consent, intend to marry for life, be faithful, be open to children, and consent in the presence of witnesses and a Church minister |
| Catholic marrying a non-Catholic | Requires permission from the local bishop |
| Non-Catholic minister | Can attend the marriage ceremony and address, pray with, and bless the couple |
| Polygamy | Not in accordance with the moral law |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics marrying non-Catholics
The Catholic Church does allow Catholics to marry non-Catholics, but it is not encouraged. This type of marriage is called a "mixed marriage" and falls into two categories: sacramental and non-sacramental. If a Catholic marries a baptised non-Catholic Christian, such as an Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or Baptist, the wedding is a sacrament. If a Catholic marries a non-baptised person of a different faith, such as a Hindu, Jew, or Muslim, the wedding is not a sacrament.
For a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic, the couple must meet certain criteria. Firstly, they must receive a dispensation, or special permission, from the bishop. This is typically granted as long as the Catholic spouse agrees to remain practising the Catholic faith and raise any children as Catholics. Secondly, the wedding must take place "in the Church", meaning it must be held in a Catholic parish, witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon, and performed using the Catholic ritual. However, the bishop can grant permission for the marriage to take place in a non-Catholic church with a non-Catholic minister as the officiating witness. In this case, a Catholic priest may still attend and bless the union.
It is important to note that the Catholic Church requires the couple to declare their intentions to love each other until death, accept children, and raise them in the Catholic faith. This is particularly important in a mixed marriage, as divorce and contraception are not accepted by the Church. While the Church allows Catholics to marry non-Catholics, it is worth considering the potential challenges and seeking guidance from a priest early in the relationship.
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Sacramental vs. non-Sacramental marriages
The Catholic Church defines marriage or holy matrimony as a "covenant by which a man and a woman establish between themselves a partnership of the whole of life". It is ordered by its nature towards "the good of the spouses and the procreation and education of offspring".
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that marriage is not a purely human institution, but that "God himself is the author of marriage".
There are two types of marriages when it comes to Catholics: sacramental and non-sacramental. A sacramental marriage is one in which both parties are baptised. In this case, the marriage is recognised as sacramental whether it is between two non-Catholic Christians or between a Catholic Christian and a non-Catholic Christian. However, in the latter case, consent from the diocesan bishop, also known as dispensation to enter into a mixed marriage, is required.
A non-sacramental marriage is one in which one or both parties are not baptised. This type of marriage is not recognised as sacramental by the Catholic Church, even if it takes place in a church. It is considered a "merely civil marriage" or a “natural marriage". It is important to note that a non-sacramental marriage can still be valid in the eyes of the Church, as long as the Catholic party obtains a dispensation in advance from their pastor or the diocesan bishop.
The Catholic Church tries to accommodate and bless mixed marriages, recognising the blessings they can bring. However, there are certain requirements that must be met for a Catholic to marry a non-Catholic. The Catholic party must promise to continue practising the Catholic faith and raise their children as Catholics. Additionally, the priest must meet with the couple to help them understand the spiritual importance of matrimony.
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Requirements for a valid Catholic marriage
The Catholic Church has requirements that must be met for a marriage to be considered valid in its eyes. These requirements are similar to those of civil marriages, which may include a marriage license or blood tests.
Firstly, both parties must be free to marry and must freely exchange their consent without any issues that might cause one party not to consent. This means that both spouses must be free from sin and able to receive communion. Secondly, the spouses must intend to marry for life, be faithful to one another, and be open to having children. Thirdly, their consent must be given in the presence of two witnesses and before a properly authorised church minister. This last requirement may be waived with the approval of church authorities.
In addition, the Catholic Church requires that both parties be baptised for the marriage to be considered sacramental. Marriages between Catholics and non-Christians are considered valid by the Church but are non-sacramental. A Catholic seeking to marry a non-Catholic must obtain permission from their local bishop. This permission is known as "dispensation from disparity of cult". Marriages in which one party is Catholic and the other is non-Catholic can be held in a Catholic church, but this also requires the permission of the bishop.
The Catholic Church also provides classes, mentoring, or seminars to help prepare couples for marriage. These programmes cover topics such as balancing values, managing money, family planning, communication skills, and the sacredness of celebrating marriage in the Catholic Church.
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The role of the priest
In the Catholic Church, the priest plays a crucial role in matrimony, especially in what is known as "mixed marriages", where one partner is Catholic and the other is either a non-Catholic Christian or a non-baptized individual. The priest's role in these marriages is multifaceted and involves several important steps to ensure the union is recognized by the Church.
Firstly, the priest must receive a special dispensation, in writing, from the bishop. This dispensation is granted on the condition that the Catholic partner agrees to continue practising the Catholic faith and commits to raising their children as Catholics. The priest is responsible for obtaining this promise from the couple and ensuring their good faith. This step underscores the importance of the priest's role in navigating the complexities of interfaith marriages within the framework of Catholic doctrine.
Secondly, the priest meets with the couple to provide spiritual guidance and help them comprehend the profound significance of matrimony in the Catholic faith. This phase is often referred to as "Pre-Cana," indicating the preparatory nature of these discussions. During Pre-Cana, the priest educates the couple about the sacred nature of marriage, its covenant between the spouses, and its elevation to the dignity of a sacrament by Christ. Through these conversations, the priest ensures that the couple grasps the essence of the sacrament they are about to enter into.
On the wedding day itself, the priest presides over the celebration, guiding the couple through their vows or promises. The priest asks the couple to stand facing each other and exchange their consent, symbolizing their mutual agreement to enter into a lifelong union. This moment is the heart of the sacrament of matrimony, with the priest facilitating the sacred exchange of vows.
In addition to their role in mixed marriages, priests also provide pastoral care and counselling to Catholic couples before and after their wedding. They offer spiritual advice, help the couple navigate any religious aspects of their marriage, and support them in living out their faith within their union. The priest's role extends beyond the wedding ceremony, fostering a lifelong relationship of spiritual guidance and mentorship for the married couple.
It is worth noting that, while the priest plays a pivotal role in the process and ceremony of matrimony, the Catholic Church recognizes the bride and groom as the ministers of the sacrament. This underscores the belief that the couple themselves are the primary celebrants of their marriage, exchanging vows and consent that unite them in a covenant partnership.
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The role of the bishop
The Catholic Church recognises matrimony as a sacrament. In the Catholic Church, matrimony 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".
The bishop's role in matrimony is crucial. The local bishop or parish priest's attendance is required for the validity of the marriage, along with at least two witnesses. The priest's role is to "assist" the spouses in ensuring that the marriage is contracted in accordance with canon law. The priest must also secure the promise that the Catholic spouse will continue to practice the Catholic faith and raise their children as Catholics.
In the Latin branch of the Catholic Church, it is taught that the couple administers the sacrament of matrimony to each other. Although it is usually an ordained person who officiates at a marriage ceremony, a bishop may delegate a layperson to be present for the exchange of vows. This would be done in extreme cases, such as in mission territories.
In the Eastern tradition, the clergy must witness the exchange of vows and impart a blessing for the marriage to be considered valid.
The bishop has the authority to permit a mixed marriage to take place in a non-Catholic church with a non-Catholic minister as the officiating witness. The bishop can also appoint other bishops.
The traditional role of a bishop is to act as the head of a diocese or eparchy. A diocese can vary considerably in geographical size and population. The cathedral of a diocese contains a special chair, called a cathedra, for the exclusive use of its Ordinary, symbolising his spiritual and ecclesiastical authority.
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Frequently asked questions
No, a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic in a Catholic Church, but it is known as a "mixed marriage".
A sacramental marriage is when a Catholic marries a baptised non-Catholic Christian. A non-sacramental marriage is when a Catholic marries a non-baptised person.
A priest must receive special dispensation from the bishop in writing for a mixed marriage to take place. The priest must also meet with the couple to explain the spiritual importance of matrimony.
A mixed marriage usually takes place in the parish church of one of the spouses, with a Catholic priest officiating. However, a bishop can permit a mixed marriage to take place in a non-Catholic church, with a non-Catholic minister officiating.
The Catholic party must promise to do their best to have their children baptised and raised in the Catholic faith. The non-Catholic party does not need to make this promise.
