Yes, a Catholic woman can marry a non-Catholic man in a Catholic church, provided certain conditions and permissions are met by the Catholic Church.
Understanding Mixed Marriages in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church recognizes two primary types of marriages involving a Catholic and a non-Catholic, both of which can potentially take place in a Catholic church:
- Mixed Marriage (or Mixed Religion): This occurs when a Catholic marries a baptized non-Catholic Christian (e.g., a Protestant, Orthodox Christian).
- Disparity of Cult: This occurs when a Catholic marries an unbaptized person (e.g., an atheist, agnostic, Jew, Muslim, or a person from any other non-Christian religion).
The Role of the Catholic Church Setting
Weddings where one party is Catholic and the other is non-Catholic can take place in a Catholic church. This is the ordinary place for a Catholic to be married. While it is possible, with the permission of the local bishop, for such a marriage to occur in a non-Catholic church or another suitable location, a Catholic church remains a primary and permissible setting for these unions.
Essential Permissions and Requirements
For a mixed marriage or a disparity of cult marriage to be valid and licit in the eyes of the Catholic Church, specific dispensations and preparations are necessary, regardless of whether the ceremony takes place in a Catholic church or elsewhere. These include:
- Dispensation: The Catholic party must seek a dispensation from their local bishop.
- For a Mixed Marriage (Catholic and baptized non-Catholic Christian), a dispensation for "mixed religion" is required.
- For a Disparity of Cult (Catholic and unbaptized person), a dispensation for "disparity of cult" is required for the marriage to be valid.
- Promises by the Catholic Party: The Catholic party is generally required to promise to:
- Maintain their own Catholic faith.
- Do everything in their power to have the children baptized and raised in the Catholic Church.
- Awareness by the Non-Catholic Party: The non-Catholic party must be informed of these promises made by the Catholic party. They are not required to make any promises regarding their own faith or the children's religious upbringing, but they should be aware of the Catholic spouse's commitments.
- Canonical Form: The marriage typically must follow the "canonical form," meaning it takes place before a Catholic bishop, priest, or deacon and two witnesses. In specific circumstances, and with further permission, a dispensation from canonical form can be granted, allowing the marriage to take place in a non-Catholic ceremony (e.g., in a non-Catholic church).
Steps for a Catholic Woman Planning to Marry a Non-Catholic Man in a Catholic Church
If a Catholic woman wishes to marry a non-Catholic man in a Catholic church, the couple should:
- Contact a Catholic Priest: Initiate the process by speaking with a Catholic priest in their local parish well in advance (typically 6-12 months before the desired wedding date). The priest will guide them through the necessary preparations.
- Attend Pre-Cana or Marriage Preparation: Participate in the required marriage preparation program, which covers various aspects of married life, including communication, finances, and faith.
- Complete Necessary Paperwork: Fill out all required forms and obtain any necessary documents, such as recent baptismal certificates for the Catholic party.
- Obtain Dispensations: The priest will assist in applying for the necessary dispensations from the local bishop.
- Plan the Ceremony: Work with the priest to plan the wedding ceremony within the Catholic church. The ceremony can be adapted to be more inclusive, sometimes without a full Mass, depending on the circumstances and the non-Catholic party's comfort.
Summary of Requirements for Marriage Between a Catholic and a Non-Catholic
To illustrate the conditions, the following table outlines the general requirements:
| Aspect | Mixed Marriage (Catholic + Baptized Non-Catholic) | Disparity of Cult (Catholic + Unbaptized) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Can be held in a Catholic church. | Can be held in a Catholic church. |
| Primary Dispensation | Dispensation from "mixed religion" needed for liceity. | Dispensation from "disparity of cult" needed for validity. |
| Catholic's Promise | To remain Catholic and raise children Catholic. | To remain Catholic and raise children Catholic. |
| Non-Catholic's Role | Informed of Catholic's promises; not required to convert or make promises. | Informed of Catholic's promises; not required to convert or make promises. |
| Canonical Form | Generally required (marriage before priest/deacon and witnesses). | Generally required (marriage before priest/deacon and witnesses). |
By following these steps and fulfilling the requirements, a Catholic woman and a non-Catholic man can indeed celebrate their marriage in a Catholic church, uniting their lives with the blessing of the Church.
