Q: My son received Baptism, holy Communion, and Confirmation as a Roman Catholic. At a Catholic university, he met his future bride, whom he will marry in her Lutheran church. Will this marriage be recognized by the Catholic Church? Can a Catholic priest give a blessing?
A: Yes, this can be done as long as your son requests a “dispensation from canonical form” (meaning that the wedding is witnessed by a Catholic priest or deacon).
The Catholic Church recognizes the marriage of two baptized Christians who are free to marry each other as a valid, sacramental marriage.
Your son will need to contact his parish priest to apply for such a dispensation. The first contact should probably be at least six months before the wedding. A Catholic priest can participate in this wedding if the couple requests that.
I have been the Catholic Church’s official witness at several such marriages. I have also requested and received a different dispensation for couples where one person is not baptized.
