CATHOLIC WEDDING FAQ'S

I am a Catholic but wish to marry in a Church of a different denomination – is this possible?

In a word, yes. The marriage of a Roman Catholic to someone of a different faith can take place although a ‘dispensation from canonical form’ from the Roman Catholic Church will be required. You will need to speak to your local priest but the he dispensation will be granted by the local bishop, not the priest – however in the UK such a dispensation is fairly common and easy to obtain.

I am a divorcee – can I still marry in the Catholic Church?

Marriage is viewed as a divine institution, one which in unable to be broken and as such divorcees will not be able to remarry in the Catholic Church. That said, if the previous marriage has been annulled (this is a long procedure which involves the Catholic Church at the request, and cost, of an individual, investigating the status of the marriage with a view to it being declared an ‘invalid marriage’) then parties will be able to remarry in the Church. If annulment has not been attained, the only other option would be for the couple to ask for a blessing, though the priest has the right to decide whether they will carry out such a service (there will be a greater chance if both partners are regular churchgoers).