Case 5. Joining in Non-catholic Religious Rites

Titius, a missionary priest, is asked by Paul, a man most highly regarded among the parishioners, whether it is lawful for Catholics to be present at the weddings of heretics. For Paul has been asked by a most eminent friend, although a non-Catholic, to permit his daughter to stand as bridesmaid at the marriage of the latter’s daughter. Before giving an answer, Titius consulted recent authors, some of whom appear to permit it, while others affirm it to be unlawful. Hence Titius asks:

1. What is participation in sacred rites with heretics, and to what extent is it lawful or unlawful?

2. Is it lawful for Catholics to enter the churches of heretics and to be present at their marriages?

3. What is to be said of the case?

1. See the answer to this question, p. 147.

2. Are Catholics allowed to visit non-Catholic places of worship, and to be present at non-Catholic marriages in such places?

Catholics are not allowed to visit non-Catholic places of worship whenever such visiting is looked upon as an adhesion to, or as a favoring of, a false religion, or when it causes scandal, or danger of perversion, or when it is forbidden by lawful authority. In other cases, it is not unlawful. With regard to being present at marriages in non-Catholic places of worship, as a general rule it is not allowed, but for a good reason it may be tolerated if there is no scandal, no danger of perversion, nor contempt of ecclesiastical authority, as the Holy Office answered, Jan. 14, 1874.¹

1 Collectanea S. C. de P. F., n. 1410. 2d ed.

3. The case. Titius, a missionary priest, was asked by Paul, one of the principal members of his congregation, whether Catholics may be present at non-Catholic marriages. Paul asks the question because he has been requested by a non-Catholic friend who holds a high position to allow his daughter to act as bridesmaid, on the occasion of his own daughter’s marriage. Titius finds that recent authors are at variance on the point. Marriage celebrated in a non-Catholic place of worship is a religious rite, and so, inasmuch as Catholics are not allowed to take part in non-Catholic religious rites, they may not take part in such a marriage. Under the conditions mentioned above it is tolerated that Catholics should be present merely materially and passively, as onlookers at the function, as an act of courtesy. But a bridesmaid takes part in the function, and so such an action goes beyond what is allowed. This is confirmed by an answer given by the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, March 12, 1789, that it not lawful for a Catholic to act as best man in a marriage of Greek schismatics.² However, an instruction of the Holy Office, June 22, 1859, allows a non-Catholic to act as best man in a Catholic marriage.³

2 Collectanea S. C. de P. F., n. 600. Cf. Tanquerey, De Fide, n. 681.

3 Collectanea, n. 1176.