[tfecw]

it seems like the same thing to me. That's not the same things. The rules for all this jazz have been laxed greatly.
It used to be you couldn't get married in the Catholic church if both parties weren't members of the church. To be more technical they both had to be confirmed. Also, can't have been divorced before. This has all been relaxed, some priest will say no if the requirements aren't met. Most don't care, or overlook it.


Do you really think that mike and his girlfriend are going to be phased because they can't be married in the church? One is isn't even catholic and is in the process of killing his wife. And the other is catholic who has been living in sin for the past how ever many years. I really don't think they'll give 2 craps.

[JohnnyZ]

It used to be you couldn't get married in the Catholic church if both parties weren't members of the church. To be more technical they both had to be confirmed.

Catholics can and do marry non-Catholics, but they need to get a waiver to do so. My impression is it's pretty routine.

[Rutles4Ever]

You're right, they probably don't care. Like I mentioned on another thread, most Catholic weddings are all about the guest list. With about 13% mass attendance, a Church wedding is usually just a social obligation to the parents and vainglory of the betrothed who want candles and the "Ave Maria" sung by a soprano.

The same thing happens with the sacrament of Baptism. It's a social requirement where the parents are taking an oath before God that they will bring their children to the sacraments and raise them in the faith. Take a look at the 25-40 age group at mass, and you realize that most don't fulfill this promise.

Yes, priests have gotten very lax. Not all of them. But some. It's getting better, but you still people living together and then getting a Church wedding with full knowledge of the priest. Sometimes they'll order them to live separate for six months to a year before a Church wedding will be granted...

[Aquinasfan]

Do you really think that mike and his girlfriend are going to be phased because they can't be married in the church?

Apparently his mistress wants to be married in the Church. Either that or she wants a "church wedding."