I am still in the RCIA and my Boyfriend is a non Christian. But we are getting married this coming Decemeber and I am still a Catechumen and my Sponsor told me to held my weding in the Church and the worse things is that I have not attend the Marriage Preparation Course or the Engaged Encounter and have not inform my church 6 months before. If I am still a Catechumen can I wed in the church or is there any other solutions?
Thank you. (^-^)
2007-08-19 15:52:27 · 5 answers · asked by Blur Baby 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Kcchaplain I just need someone whom have expereince to tell me before I trouble the priest.
Jeanmarine I am sure you are not a catholic! My Church priest knew my boyfriend is non christian and he also told us in RCIA as long as my kids are to be brought up as a catholic my Husband need not be a catholic.
2007-08-19 16:08:02 · update #1
Thank you PaulCyp for the answer.
2007-08-19 16:25:25 · update #2
Why don't you go ask your priest?
ADDENDUM: I think you should go to see your priest before soliciting a bunch of opinions. He's the one who has the responsibility for making the decision.
2007-08-19 15:57:25 · answer #1 · answered by kcchaplain 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Are you in RCIA because you are a non-Catholic entering the Catholic Church? If so, there could be a problem because you are not actually a Catholic until you are formally received into the Church, and that usually occurs at the end of the RCIA. Obviously two non-Catholics cannot be married in a Catholic ceremony in a Catholic Church. However, it is possible that your priest could waive that requirement, based on your participation in the RCIA and your firm commitment to enter the Catholic Church. He might have to obtain permission from the bishop to do so. In any case, you won't know until you talk to him about it. Don't just grab him after mass. Call the rectory where he lives and make an appointment to meet with him.
The marriage Preparation Course is usually just a few sessions, not nearly as long as the RCIA. You can probably fit it in before the scheduled time of the wedding. The Engaged Encounter, while it is a very good experience and highly recommended, is not an absolute requirement in most dioceses. If it is a requirement, it's only one weekend, so you could certainly fit that in as well.
2007-08-19 16:20:16 · answer #2 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Rules vary from diocese to diocese, so to be absolutely certain, you need to consult the priest who is leading your RCIA course.
It is true that two non-Catholics cannot be married in the Church, and it is also true that you are not considered Catholic until you are confirmed at Easter Vigil -- this holds for any parish, anywhere in the world.
It is true that you need to inform your parish 6 months ahead of time and attend all the marriage preparation requirements (which includes Engaged Encounter in many dioceses, but not all). The reason for this preparation is to help the couple understand the marital commitment better and to strengthen the foundation of their marriage to reduce the chances of divorce later, so it's a very, very good thing to do. Sometimes, priests will give couples a "crash course" in all of this if there is extenuating circumstances (such as one spouse being in the military and the couple moving up their wedding to take place before deployment), so that might be a possibility before your December wedding, but you'd have to ask.
Also, you should know that if either you or your boyfriend were married before, you would have to have those previous marriages annulled before the Catholic Church could recognize your marriage to each other.
If you are planning a December wedding, do you have a site already reserved and somebody to officiate? If I were you, I would either delay the wedding to next April or May, when you can have a Catholic wedding for sure, or go ahead with that other site and officiator and then when you complete RCIA and are confirmed, you can have your marriage blessed. But either way, I'd try to do the marriage prep before your wedding.
2007-08-21 10:04:10 · answer #3 · answered by sparki777 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why in heavens name does the Catholic Church have to be so complicated? If you consider yourself a Christian and you love God, why cant you be married in the church without all the bells and whistles having to be blown?????? I also agree with the person that said you shouldnt marry someone who isnt a Christian. You will definitely be unequally yoked!!!!! Its just too many hoops to jump through!!!!! God doesnt want a relationship with him that complicated!!!!
2007-08-27 15:53:52 · answer #4 · answered by Angie O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bible says if you are a Christian you are to NOT marry and non christian.
"you shall not be unequally yoked" This is concerning marriage!
If you do you will regret it.
†
2007-08-19 15:58:23 · answer #5 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋