Why a Catholic should not attend an invalid wedding ceremony
QUESTION / COMMENT?
We recently asked our pastor if we can attend our nephew's wedding at a garden, outside of Church. Nephew was raised outside of Church although baptized Catholic. My Sister-in-law and nephew have received communion during funerals and weddings although they reject the faith. We tried explaining why we can’t attend, but now my Sister-in-law and nephew have turned family against us. Nephew called husband today and said they don’t want us a part of their lives. Other sister-in-law rejected birthday gift we sent. Any suggestions or prayers you recommend? I have had masses said and will continue. We ask for your prayer at this time. We were warned in the God’s word this would happen. Thank you in advance for your advice & prayers.
ANSWER!
Our Lord warned us about division amongst family over our belief and commitment to the gospel.
Luke 12:51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; 52 for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; 53 they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
Matthew 10:32 So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's foes will be those of his own household.
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Read the 2 articles below...
http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2014/08/why-catholic-should-n...
Why a Catholic should not attend an invalid wedding ceremony
“Father, my sister is getting married by a protestant minister in a beautiful outdoor service on the top of a mountain! Can I attend the wedding?”
If your sister was baptized Catholic or has been received into the Church, and she didn’t get permission from the bishop, then I say, “No, you most certainly must not attend.”
Although Canon Law makes no stipulation regarding whether a Catholic may attend an invalid wedding ceremony, moral law most certainly prohibits Catholics (and, sometimes, also non-Catholics) from attending
In this article, we hope to shed some light on what can be a rather difficult question. Difficult not only because of personal ties to those involved in the wedding service, but also because many priests spew forth variant opinions which (howsoever subtle and delicate they appear) lack any substantial foundation in moral law or the Catholic tradition.
What makes a marriage invalid?
Before going any further, it is necessary to recognize what makes a marriage to be invalid. Under the current law of the Church, the marriages of non-Catholics are not bound by canonical form. Thus, the marriage of two protestants in a protestant hall, or even before a justice of the peace in a Vegas drive-thru, could be a valid marriage. Furthermore, if this marriage is valid, it is also sacramental.
The marriage of two non-baptized persons (or of a protestant and a non-baptized person) is likewise not to be presumed invalid simply because it is not witnessed by a Catholic priest – here too, the Church recognizes these marriages as valid (other factors being equal). Hence, if a protestant marries a buddhist in a Vegas chapel, the marriage is valid – yet, because one (or both) are not baptized, it cannot be a sacrament.
However, those who have been baptized Catholic or who have been received into the Church are bound to follow canonical form. Even if a person has since left the practice of the faith and no longer considers himself to be Catholic, according to Church law, he is bound by the law of the Catholic Church from the moment he has once become Catholic (either by baptism or by conversion).
This means that one who has been Catholic must be married in a manner recognized by the Catholic Church. Usually, this entails being married before a Catholic priest or deacon, in a Catholic Church – however, the Bishop can permit for a protestant minister or any other person to witness the marriage. Thus, if a Catholic is not married according to the Law of the Church, the marriage will be invalid – it may be a civil marriage, but it is not a marriage in the eyes of the Church or in God’s eyes.
It is also good to note that the marriage of a Catholic and an Orthodox Christian before an Orthodox priest is recognized as valid, though perhaps illicit without the permission of the Catholic bishop (other points of law being followed). (Cf. Can. 1127)
Additionally, for Catholics and non-Catholics alike, the natural law regarding marriage holds true: Second marriages (in which the first marriage has not be declared null and the spouses are still living) are presumed to be invalid, marriages between members of the same sex are invalid, marriages between close relatives are invalid, etc. Hence, when a protestant attempts a second marriage (the former spouse still being alive and no annulment having been granted), this second marriage is presumed to be invalid; and the same holds for those who are not baptized.
To make this point very clear: When two baptized protestants are married in a civil ceremony, that is a valid and even a sacramental marriage (assuming that it follows natural law). When a protestant and an atheist get married in a civil ceremony, that is a valid non-sacramental marriage. However, as soon as a Catholic (or, rather, one who has been Catholic) is attempting marriage, the law of the Church must be followed.
What not to worry about
Firstly, let us point out what we ought not to worry about when deciding whether to attend the non-Catholic wedding ceremony of one who was baptized Catholic. Although Father Zuhlsdorf [here] and many others seek to pry into the hearts and minds of the couple attempting marriage – seeking their motives and their knowledge, their upbringing and their experiences – we state that all such is truly irrelevant to the question of whether we should attend the service.
“Why is the Catholic party marrying outside of the Church? Is it ignorance, apathy, antipathy, or some other motivation? Is this person marrying outside the Church as an act of defiance against the Church? […] Did they go to Catholic school?” (Father Z)
How do these questions in any way pertain to the question of whether a Catholic should attend an invalid marriage of another Catholic? Such questions seek to make a judgment upon the persons attempting marriage – either to acquit or condemn them. But who am I to judge the soul of another person?
What is truly at stake is the question of scandal, and of encouraging another in objective sin. We need not make a judgment upon the soul of the Catholic who is attempting the invalid marriage, but we must rather stand back and make an objective consideration of the matter.
Praising and approving sin
“Sin is a personal act. Moreover, we have a responsibility for the sins committed by others when we cooperate in them: by participating directly and voluntarily in them; by ordering, advising, praising, or approving them; by not disclosing or not hindering them when we have an obligation to do so; by protecting evil-doers.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1896)
Among the ways in which we may be guilty of cooperating in sin, the Church lists praising or approving sin. Now, attending a wedding service, especially if we give a gift for the wedding and/or attend the reception after, clearly constitutes an act of both praise and approval. This is the objective effect of being present at a wedding – we are there to show support to the two individuals, not just in a general way, but specifically as they are wed.
Hence, even if we were to approach the couple ahead of time and tell them that we do not approve of their invalid attempt at marriage, presence at the ceremony itself communicates support and approval of the event. It is part of the very nature of the act of being present at a wedding – it shows support and praise for the attempt at marriage.
Scandal – Leading others to sin
“Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. […] Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2284 – 2285)
To cause scandal does not really mean to shock or surprise another, but rather to cause another to think that something which is sinful is not sinful or, at least, not that sinful. This is precisely what happens when we attend the invalid marriage of a Catholic.
Not only do we praise and show approval for the sinful act of the persons contracting the marriage, but by attending the wedding service we lead others into the false opinion that the invalid marriage is acceptable. This is yet another reason why it is not enough to simply tell the would-be spouses that, “I disagree with your choice to marry outside the Church, but I’ll attend the wedding because I love you” – because anyone else present at the attempted wedding would still be scandalized and led into the mistaken idea that there is nothing sinful about attempting an invalid marriage or praising an invalid wedding.
Hence, as a parish priest, I often counsel people: “In order to attend the wedding, you would have to let all those present know that you disagree with the attempted marriage, that it is not a marriage in God’s eyes, or the Church’s eyes, or your eyes, that it is a grave sin and that the couple are not husband and wife but rather are living in sin.” Anything less than a public statement to this effect would cause others to think that we were supporting the marriage ceremony – and, indeed, our presence at the wedding does show support and praise.
Clearly, the only option is to not attend the service.
Further points
From all that has been said, it should be clear that a Catholic ought not to give a wedding gift or card in praise of an invalid marriage. Furthermore, a Catholic should not attend the reception afterwards – the couple is entering into manifest grave sin, what is there to celebrate?
Additionally, one can make the obvious connections regarding other invalid ceremonies: If Catholics must not attend the invalid marriages of fellow Catholics, even protestants and atheists should not attend those marriages which are invalid due to violations of the natural law. This is why no one is permitted to attend the attempted marriage of two persons of the same sex. Furthermore, this would also preclude all from attending second marriages.
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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/the-other-marriage-debate
AUG. 1, 2015
Should Catholics Attend a Wedding When a Baptized Catholic Marries Outside the Church?
Clergy and Laypeople Weigh in on Whether to Attend or Not Attend Non-Catholic Weddings
PATTI ARMSTRONG
Editor's Note: This story was updated on Aug. 11.
There has never been a marriage debate — no matter what the Supreme Court has decided on the constitutionality of same-sex “marriage” — in the Catholic Church.
“Many people want it to be a debate, but you can’t call it something it’s not — it’s not marriage,” said Jesuit Father Mitch Pacwa, author, apologist and host for EWTN Radio and TV, of same-sex “marriage.”
According to him, there is only one marriage debate for Catholics, and it’s something that comes up regularly on his radio show: “Is it okay to attend a wedding when a baptized Catholic gets married outside of the Church?”
The reason behind the debate is because the Code of Canon Law states: “Only those marriages are valid which are contracted before the local [bishop], pastor or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them who assist, and before two witnesses” (1108 §1).
Canon law does not prohibit Catholics from attending invalid weddings, Father Pacwa explained, but he said that Catholics must discern carefully. “Every situation will call upon our reserves of prayer, discernment and evaluation,” he said. “And a good confession before making any decision is always a good idea.”
According to him, maintaining peace within families is very important, but there is also the question of motive: “Are they trying to put me in an uncomfortable position to prove their point? Or do they simply not see that there is an issue at stake?”
A third situation, he said, involves people without any faith who do not consider a religious ceremony.
Father Angel Perez-Lopez, formation adviser and assistant professor of philosophical ethics and sacred moral theology at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, explained that a Catholic is bound by the canonical form of marriage, even if he or she strays from the Church.
According to Father Perez-Lopez, this whole issue demands an exercise of the virtue of prudence. A great number of important circumstances may change the moral scenario. On the one hand, one certainly wants to avoid cooperation in evil and scandal. “By attending these marriages, you don’t want to give the impression that you approve of their not following the canonical form of marriage,” he said. “You need to make it clear you do not agree with that. Moreover, one should avoid being an active participant of the ceremony.”
On the other hand, under certain circumstances and keeping with what was said above, there could be good reasons to attend such weddings, Father Perez-Lopez pointed out. In some case, Father Perez-Lopez said, a civil marriage may be the first step for a couple in recognizing the importance of marriage.
Recognizing that step, and inviting couples to the sacrament of matrimony, could be valuable, he said. “You want to maintain a good relationship to keep the door open to help lead them back into the Church.”
Rita Ciavarella of Bismarck, N.D., said she and her husband, Rick, made the decision not to attend invalid weddings.
“When our four children were young, I told them that Dad and I would always love them, but if they married outside of the Church, we would not be able to go.” All four married in the Church, but when nieces and nephews began marrying, it often put them in a difficult position.
“How could we go when we had told our children we would not attend their weddings if they married outside of the Church?” she said. “At first, we struggled with each one, but then just decided it would be best not to attend any, since there would be hurt feelings if we attended some but not others.”
Ciaverella said she feels it is the best decision for them. “I’ve told our grandchildren the same thing: ‘I love you, and I would give my life for you, but if you get married outside of the Church, I won’t be able to come.’”
Michael McKeown, deacon at St. Mary’s Church in Seaforth, Minn., said that in discerning whether or not to attend, he looks at the intention of the invitation.
“As a deacon, I have to be careful that my presence isn’t seen as a stamp of approval by the Catholic Church. If I felt this to be the case, I wouldn't attend.”
If it’s a close relative getting married, and it is a Christian wedding, he said he does his best to attend because maintaining family relationships is important.
Nine years ago, John Anthony (not his real name) of Davies, Fla., said that when his sister married outside of the Church, he attended with his family, but declined to have his children participate in the ceremony. “The whole thing was very awkward, and I’m sure my parents, as well as others, looked at us as judgmental and un-Christian,” he said. “I know we made the right decision, but I would not want to be put in the same position again.”
For their part, Mike Splonskowski and his wife, Karen, from Lake Park, Minn., taught their 13 children that getting married to another Catholic in the Church increases the chance of marital success by receiving all possible graces. Thus far, all 10 of their married children have followed that advice.
When it comes to attending weddings of relatives, Splonskowski said he decides on a case-by-case basis. “There has been times it may have strained the relationship if we had not showed up,” Splonskowski said. “In some cases, we did not attend the service but went to the reception to show respect that the couple did not just ‘shack up.’”
For the times Splonskowski chooses not to attend, he said he lets the couple know why, adding that he and Karen still love them and want to stay in contact. In at least one instance, he said a couple mentioned his family not attending their wedding as a contributing factor to their later deciding to get their marriage blessed.
“We don’t want to make harsh judgments and don’t believe in making enemies,” he said. “Everything has to be done in charity.” Patti Armstrong writes from North Dakota.