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GeekerGirl86 · Dec 11, 2008, 10:55 AM

Can you give me some information on interfaith marriages.. Such as are there any instances were the Catholic priest will allow the minister of another faith partake, on some level, in the ceremony? Also can you list once more all the req. to marry in the catholic church when the groom is greek orthodox?

Starbucks21 · Dec 11, 2008, 11:17 AM

My parents have a marriage like this... just be warned it can be hard. Part of a catholic wedding is promising to raise the kids catholic. If you can find another willing minister you can have 2 there and just semi combine the traditions. That's what marriage is about. You may just want to find a justice of a peace. The justice of the peace could combine your traditions a little easier.

jjwoodhull · Dec 11, 2008, 11:41 AM

If you want to get married in the Catholic church, then at least one of you must have been baptized there. Also, they will make you agree to raise your children Catholic.

As far as allowing a Rabbi to assist - that would depend on the priest. I have seen this done. You would probably have better luck with a younger, more liberal priest.

GeekerGirl86 · Dec 11, 2008, 01:40 PM

I agree... I honestly did not know the part where you agree to raise your children catholic... Well I know that it is completely allowed for the Orthodox Christian to partake in our communion. So that's good..
Starbucks, were you raised as one religion or the other? Are you learning and practising both? Do you as the child, experience any conflict? I have so many questions.. Most people tell me a marriage between orthodox christians and catholics do NOT work..

jjwoodhull · Dec 11, 2008, 01:47 PM

[QUOTE=GeekerGirl86;1422999 Well I know that it is completely allowed for the Orthodox Christian to partake in our communion. So thats good..
[/QUOTE]

Are you sure about this. It is my understanding that the official stance of the Catholic Church is that only those who have been confirmed in THEIR church may receive communion.

GeekerGirl86 · Dec 11, 2008, 02:17 PM

Actually yes I was surprised myself to find this out. However on the back of the Missalette in mass it talks about the requirements for communion. In it, it gives the guidelines for Catholics (ie fasting, confession, etc) and It says Our brothers from the eastern orthodox church may participate in Holy Communion. Then it gives guidelines for that. Then it discusses the other Christian religions and how as of yet they were not allowed to partake with us. We were def. thrown for loop since at the Orthodox church, non orthodox are not permitted to have communion,

jjwoodhull · Dec 11, 2008, 02:26 PM

Interesting... it's true you can learn something new every day.:)

GeekerGirl86 · Dec 11, 2008, 02:32 PM

That's what I said!! :D

Fr_Chuck · Dec 11, 2008, 04:04 PM

The Catholic faith and Orthodox Fatih is very similar, the Greek Church and Rome have been in discucssion for years on matters of faith.

The Catholic Church will marry anyone to a catholic member at the church, but with the permission of their Bishops they may receive sacarements even.
They view the sacarments of each other as valid, but do not allow them to partake unless there is not a church of their own in the area.

The marriage of a orthodox and catholic would work better than a catholic and a protestant since most of their beleifs are the same.

Starbucks21 · Dec 11, 2008, 04:51 PM

There were tons... I was raised catholic with my mother's religions influence and then I became a conservative jew (my grandparents religion) and yea... The multi religion thing does cause a ton of conflicts

Starbucks21 · Dec 11, 2008, 04:54 PM

Really I'd teach the kid both and my parents' wish they did it that way. My mom feels like she can't be herself and like my dad has all the control. She's very resentful of that.

Fr_Chuck · Dec 11, 2008, 05:25 PM

The real issue with a Orthodox "Catholic" and a Roman "Catholic' is that the difference is very small, esp if the Greek Orthoox is an american version, and not doing a purely eastern service.

The relitious experts can argue a lot of fine points, But it is something that has to be decided before the wedding

GeekerGirl86 · Dec 11, 2008, 05:34 PM

That's my way of thinking teach them both religions and when they are old enough to decide for themselves they can choose. Thank you guys so much! I appreciate the input! :)

Starbucks21 · Dec 11, 2008, 08:51 PM

The only way to let both faiths partake a equal portion (options depend on budget)

A. Judge or Justice of the peace does the ceremony and you two combine both customs (the easy non expensive way)

B. Hold 2 weddings (way more expensive)

C. Find 2 liberal priest and find out what you're customs have in common and differ. If they are both common then try to spilt the duties 50/50 between the 2. (this can be very complex and will take a ton of planning)

Also... Unless you are very catholic... Don't hold full mass with little kids. Let's say the last time my family tired that my 2 year cousin accidentally flung a toy fire truck down the isle and hit the groom. 45 minutes in

Go for the half which is 30 minutes. Or a place with a cry room

GeekerGirl86 · Dec 13, 2008, 11:20 AM

NICE! Haha no I knew full well that a full mass would most likely not work.. My sister's MIL to be is very strict about the orthodox side of it all.. So we know she will throw a fit if she does not include that side in the wedding. Plus our mom and dad are very strict about the catholic side.. So being as close as we are I told her I'd help combine the best of both worlds. Anymore information would be a blessing.. ESp.. From you Fr. Chuck.. I gather you are in fact a minister of some form of the Christian faith.. (not sure which it is).. thanks mucho! :)

450donn · Dec 15, 2008, 11:59 AM

Personally I would suggest do as my daughter did, have a wedding away from any formal churches. That way there is no conflicts. Sol in law was Catholic, so this worked out for them better.