Will a catholic church marry 2 non-practicing christians?

Question

My fiance and I would like to marry in a church that happens to be catholic and has sentimental value to him. I was baptized a catholic but now I am a Christian and my fiance was baptized non-denominational and is now more along the lines of agnostic. I know Catholic churches are very strict in their rules but i am also aware some accept money for the ceremony. We really like the church (building) and that is why we want to get married there, but I am wondering if the pastor would agree to such a thing, and if so would we need to go through counseling.

Thanks to all that gave positive advice. I am a Christian, but not a Catholic, they are not the same thing. I also know that I am not God to judge any religion, but nor was my intent to offend anyone in the catholic faith. We want our marriage to be recognized under God, the denomination didn't matter so much to us, but maybe thats just us.

Answer 1

A Priest may be likely to marry you off church grounds, but there's no way the marriage will take place on church property. You'd have to be a member in good standing of the parish to be married there.

Answer 2

The only thing you can do is to call the church and ask. Each church is different and some just like to get the money. Usually however Catholic churches will only marry you if one of you is a catholic. My fiance isn't catholic but I am so we had no problem. Keep in mind that if they agree to marry you there you will need to go through counseling or PreCana which also costs money. Not alot but everyone getting married in a Catholic Church has to go through it. Sometimes it is with a group other times it is with another married couple and sometimes it is just with the priest. Well...Best Wishes!

Answer 3

To answer your question no, the Catholic Church will not marry two non-Catholics. If you were baptized Catholic, but are not Catholic now they still probably will not marry you. Most Parishes require several months of pre marital counseling with the resident priest before they will marry any couple. You might still be able to get married in the church building you will just have to contact their parish office and ask. I don't know why they would have a problem with it, you would just have to have a non-Catholic clergy member perform your ceremony.

Regarding your additional details, I do agree that Catholic and Christian are not the same since not all Christians are Catholic, but I think that if you ask any Catholic they will tell you they consider themselves to be a Christian. I know I do.

Answer 4

The best way to find out is to ask the Pastor. And give him your reasons why you want to marry there. Some Catholic churches are different than others. My fiance and I were trying to find a catholic church that will marry us. Some of them wont because we are not members of that church. But we found a beautiful Cathedral Church that will. So who knows, the church that you want to marry in might let you. And you will never know unless you ask the Pastor. Good luck.

Answer 5

It is completely up to the Priest of the church. It's his call. You may want to find out if any of your relatives has a tie to the church and have them give him a call. We wanted to get married in a Catholic Church in our hometown cuz that's where our friends & family are located. We had a hard time finding a church that would take us, even though we are members and attend a Catholic Church in our neighborhood. We had to track down the priest of the Church that my fiance attended when he was a kid. He agreed to marry us at the church where he is now located, but that was only because he knew him from when he was a kid.

Answer 6

You should call the church and ask them. Most won't - the Catholic church is pretty strict and I don't think they'll even marry a couple where one is not Catholic. They may be willing to "rent" out the church to you though - some aren't so strict. Just call and ask!

PS - Catholicism is a sect of Christianity, so you've always been Christian. ;o)

Answer 7

No they will not. They will only marry you there if one of you is a Catholic. They will not make an exception. Sorry


This may work if you were baptised Catholic, if you have proof. You may be able to tell them that you are practicing the faith. You will also need 6 months advanced notice to do this as well.


Just a side note, if you are Catholic, you are a Christian, they are one in the same.

Answer 8

Firstly, a Catholic IS a Chritian.
It's just really sad that you want to get married in a church because you like the look of the building - that may be what you need counselling for! It would be a farce for you to get married in a church.

Answer 9

Over the years Catholics have gotten much more lenient. I would call the priest and just ask him. Mayb he would accept money and he would just not do it as a Cath. ceremony or another presit/preacher could come and do it for you guys adn you would just be renting the buliding. But this is just a suggestion I would get your hopes up

Answer 10

ok so what you are saying is the catholic chuch will break their own rules for money... and counseling is usually another word for brain washing or black mail... why make it so hard on yourselves.. Is sentimentality over a building more important than your sanity... If you truely want to have a blessed wedding day filled with peace and beauty... why don't you look for a garden or wilderness wedding... freedom open skies... it seems that your inner turmoil is your conscience saying I don't want to sell out... so make peace with yourself and look for a natural surrounding for your wedding day...