interchurch marriage???

sal87

Hi all i was just wondering what the rules are for an interchurch wedding. Im catholic n hubby to b is church of ireland! What way those the pre-marriage course work. Which church do we get married in>

Moonbeam

my experience is the COI church but that may have just been my friends preferences.
Decide yourselves what you want then talk to your priest.
You priest tells you what pre marriage course they want you to do.

Senna

You can have a member of the clergy from both churches present during the ceremony, which is a nice touch to keep both families happy involved.

Peregrinus

The very loose tradition, for what it’s worth, is that an inter-denominational wedding is celebrated in the bride’s church. But that really is very loose; you can do this whichever way suits you.

In the Catholic church, the default rule is that a Catholic should be married in a Catholic ceremony. If a Catholic wants to be married in a C of I ceremony, to keep things straight with the Catholic church you should get what’s called a “dispensation from canonical form”. In my experience this is very easily obtained; your own parish priest can arrange it for you. I don’t think the C of I has any parallel requirement, if you’re having the ceremony in a Catholic church.

If you get married in a C of I ceremony, then I don’t think you are required to do a pre-marriage course. You may think it’s a good idea, though, and there’s a sufficient demand for them that, in Dublin at least, there are pre-marriage courses specifically geared towards couples of different denominations.

As Senna says, you can usually organise for a clergyman of the “other” denomination to participate in the wedding ceremony, e.g. to administer a nuptial blessing. That depends on the “host” clergyman being happy with that, but I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t.

angeldelight

Another option, if you want even more of a compromise and live in either Dublin or Cork is to have your wedding in the Unitarian Church.

tatli_lokma

I think if you get married in the Catholic church you will be expected to promise that any children of the marriage will be raised catholic. Not sure if this is an issue for you, but I know it bothers some people so it might be worth clarifying this with your parish priest.

D3PO

dunno if there is a right or wrong answer op.

My brother is catholic and his wife to be is COI they are getting married in three weeks time in her church. His view was that it should be in the brides church but that was just his view.

Patrick99

In "mixed marriages" in the Catholic church, it is common practice nowadays for clergy of both churches to have an active part, giving the occasion a genuinely ecumenical dimension. The wishes of both spouses are actively consulted when planning the ceremony.

As regards marriage preparation, where one partner is Catholic and the other a baptized member of another denomination special Interchurch Marriage Preparation Courses under the title of Embrace are offered by Accord. For details on this, contact 39 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 – Telephone 01 4784400. But if it is to be a Catholic ceremony, any approved course would be acceptable to the church. The current situation (2013) is explained at http://www.together.ie/Status-of-Pre-Marriage-Courses.html

Fittle

We are getting married in a COI, as himself is COI and previously married in a catholic church, to his ex-wife. I'm Catholic.

We've met with the most wonderful Reverend ever, a few times now.

When I asked if I needed to 'do' anything to be accepted into the COI, he asked 'Do you believe in God?' - I said Yes, and he said 'That's all we need to know so!!'

We were then given a questionnaire with approx 100 questions covering various subjects from our expectations for the marriage, our thoughts on having children and lloads of questions about sex. We went back about a week later and the Rev. went over the questions again, agreeing that we were both entering the marriage with open eyes.

That's it - don't have to see him again till nearer the wedding;)

Himself said he had to practically sell his soul when getting married in the catholic church 20yrs ago.

tatli_lokma

Fittle wrote: »

Himself said he had to practically sell his soul when getting married in the catholic church 20yrs ago.

and those of your unborn children too!

Fittle

Little Ted wrote: »

and those of your unborn children too!

Lol! He has two children from his marriage and had to promise to bring them up in the catholic faith etc - but he said he had to attend church regularly, and sign an attendance sheet to prove he was there, and was then 'tested' on the sermon at some point after!!! Dunno if it's still the same these days (I would hope not!), but as I said, the COI have welcomed me with open arms (and have asked that I raise a few bob for their new roof - what is it with churches always needing new roofs!!).

tatli_lokma

all those intentions heading heaven-ward must cause damage to them (the roofs) or something!