Can we marry in an Episcopal Church? My fiance was baptised Catholic and I was baptised in a Baptist Church.?

Question

My fiance is Catholic and I was raised in Baptist and Methodist Churches. We would like to marry in an Episcopal Church. Is this possible? Will we have to be baptised again in an Episcopal Church?

Answer 1

Although this is from a specific church, this might give you an idea:


In the Episcopal Church, a wedding is a sacramental rite, a service in which the words and outwardly visible actions convey inward and spiritual meanings and happenings. The opening lines of the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage from the Book of Common Prayer define marriage as a “solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God.” The marriage “signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church.” (pp.422-423). The canons of the Church state that “Holy Matrimony is entered into within the community of faith.” Therefore, the celebration is held in the parish church, normally with the parish clergy officiating, after all the requirements of the Episcopal Church, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are satisfied.

Since marriage in the church takes place within the context of the whole Christian life, at least one party of the parties intending to be married must be a baptized Christian and be an active member of this parish. The couple will be expected to attend church here on Sundays regularly both before and after the wedding, so that the couple has the opportunity to become familiar with the church’s doctrine and worship and to be supported by this community of prayer and witness. In some cases and at the discretion of the officiating priest, this expectation may be negotiated, as long as the couple provides evidence of their ongoing participation in an Episcopal Church. Both of you must intend to stay married for life. If you have any questions about your ability to meet these requirements, the priest will be happy to assist you in discerning whether or not you wish to make these solemn vows.

The first step in preparing for marriage in the Episcopal Church is to contact the priest. An initial interview may be arranged through the parish secretary, but final plans, dates and times for the rehearsal and wedding cannot be confirmed without the approval of the Rector of Grace Church or the Associate Rector. At least 60 days notice is required, except in cases where one or both parties have been previously married, which requires advance notice of at least five months.

Couples can expect a minimum of three one-hour pre-marital counseling sessions with the officiating priest. In some cases, a referral to other competent professionals may be in order. In the case of remarriage of one or both parties, the priest is required by church canon to obtain the consent of the bishop before performing the ceremony..>

The above excerpt is from
http://www.gracechurchamherst.org/matrimony_guidelines.htm

Answer 2

Better the Episcopalian for economics and the hassels.

Different parishes have different compliances. However, the Catholic church will allow a cheaper Indulgence (donation) financially to regain the graces to the Catholic Church if an annullment (divorce) is sought later on and the Catholic wants to remarry. Baptism is not a pre-requisite to marriage.

As one of you is Protestant, the Catholic Church may request marriage seminars before the ceremony can happen in a Catholic church.

Source: I've been witness (filled out the forms and did the prayers) to two Tribunals ceremonies in the Catholic Church so a divorced Protestant could marry the unmarried Catholic.

Answer 3

--Is Catholic--

The short answer is no. Your fiance is Catholic and thus part of his faith is to marry in the Catholic Church and raise his children Catholic. There is a possibility to get what is known as a "dispensation of form" which is granted by the local Bishop. This would allow your husband to be married outside of the Church, so long as the marriage fits the norms of Catholic marriage and your husband promises to remain Catholic and raise his children Catholic.

However, in your case, I cannot see the local bishop agreeing to the "dispensation of form" since the marriage would be conducted by a minister that is neither your faith nor your fiances.

Let me ask this: Why do you not want to get married in the Catholic Church? Baptists are as far away from Episcopalians as they are from Catholics. Methodists are similar to Episcopalians. If you are looking at a Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian parish, they will be practically the same as a solid Catholic Parish. I think you should go back and look into a Catholic wedding.

Answer 4

Yes, you can marry in an Episcopal church. The Episcopalians recognize all Christian baptism, so you won't need to be rebaptized. Find the church where you want to get married and talk to the priest.

And for what it's worth, IMHO, it's more important to find a parish where you'll both be happy than to go to the "right" church. The Episcopal Church is a good place to be -- a sane, accepting and open-minded Christian community.

Answer 5

I married a Catholic in a Catholic church, and found myself regrettiing it. This is especially true if you do not agree with Catholic theology regarding a celibate priesthood, transubstantiation, an infallible pope, the excessive veneration of Mary, etc. etc. etc. etc.

We finally left the Catholic church and became Episcopalian and are glad we did. We go twice a week, and have found spiritual fulfilment in a faith that treasures reason as well as scripture and tradition. As my wife said, "I'm never going back."

Of course, your in-laws will probably have the vapors, but this is as good a time as any to set your course in life. Because it only gets worse when it's time to baptize your children.

And, no. Once baptized, always baptized in the tradition of the Episcopal faith. Just join.

Answer 6

If you are looking to be married in an Episcopal church, I would contact the church you are looking at and ask to speak to the pastor/minister. They may recommend marriage counseling before the ceremony. Good luck and congratulations!!

Answer 7

If you can find an Episcopal priest who will marry you it will be no problem. The Episcopals recognize everyone else's baptism since they do infant sprinkling like Catholics.

Answer 8

Do what you want. Don't let religious dogma stand in the way of your happiness. T

That being said, the Episcopal Church wil accept you and your donation with open arms.

Answer 9

If your fiancee is Catholic, you should get married in a Catholic church. Otherwise, in the eyes of the Church, you will not really be married.

Answer 10

It's okay with me, but you might want to ask a priest representing the Church of England (Episcopalian).