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Frequently
Asked Questions and Answers
How can you be a priest
and also married? The rule about priests not getting married came about in
the 12th century. Prior to that priests and even some popes were
married. Even to this day there are portions of the world where priests are
allowed to be married. The Catholic Church believes that once a priest is
ordained, he remains so even if he gets married.
Are the marriages you
witness, real marriages? Yes, since I am an ordained priest, counties
throughout the US recognize my actions. My ordination, and therefore my
ministry, is certified by three national/international organizations: the
Federation of Christian Ministries, CITI Ministries, Inc. and the
International Council of Community Churches.
Are the marriages you
witness recognized as Catholic marriages? No, there are a few reasons for
this:
All of the marriages I
witness take place outside of an actual Catholic Church building (banquet
halls, parks, private homes etc.). The Catholic Church only recognizes those
marriages that have taken place within a Catholic Church building.
Many of the marriages I
witness are between couples where one or both parties have been married
before in the Catholic Church and while they are divorced, they haven’t
secured an annulment.
Although the Catholic
Church recognizes my ordination, because of my own marriage, it doesn’t
recognize my actions.
Can you say Mass at
weddings? As an ordained priest, I can say Mass anywhere. All of the
weddings I witness are done within a spiritual context of prayers and
requests for God’s blessings. When a couple requests that their marriage
take place within the more solemn occasion of Mass, I am very happy to do
so.
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