The minister or rabbi should be made welcome to participate in the wedding ceremony when it is held in the Catholic Church.

The priest or deacon will normally accept the invitation to participate in the wedding when it is held in the church of the other party.

Even where permission has been granted for a couple to be married in the church of the non-Catholic party, all of the steps in the sacramental policy of the Archdiocese must be observed.

The celebration of marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics should be celebrated outside Mass. The ceremony will be planned to emphasize especially the Word of God, where all Christians find a source of unity and strength.

Marriage between Catholics and non-Christians will require special planning to ensure sensitivity to the traditions represented.

Since there is such divergence among interfaith couples — from non-religious to active — the priest or deacon assisting them will make every effort to understand their faith commitment as individuals and as a couple. He will make them aware of the opportunities to find common ground to grow together in faith in the special situations they may face coming from different religious traditions.

Couples should be helped to seek, explore and enhance the areas of common truth and practice in which they agree.

Advice for Interfaith Couples

• Attend each other's worship services occasionally.
• Use prayers from each other's tradition, or write your own.
• Consider the religious customs and rituals that can be woven into your family and become part of your own tradition.
• Become involved as a couple in social groups or study clubs from your individual congregations.
• Encourage your spouse in his or her religious practices.
• Under no circumstances should either partner feel forced to change religion.

Advice for Interfaith Families

• Face the issue of the religious upbringing of your children, honestly, before your marriage.
• The child has a right to a religious education. This is a part of the covenant and commitment of marriage.
• The Church recognizes that the religious education of the children is the right and responsibility of both parents.