Expert: Fr. Michael - 2/2/2010

Question
I will be having my wedding reception at a Roman Catholic college that my fiance attended. We wanted to have his former priest from the college marry us, but my fiance is not a practicing Catholic and I am of the Byzantine Rite. We aren't sure if this is allowed. Is there anything we can do without either of me having to convert to Roman Catholicism? Since he is a non-catholic, he feels more comfortable using a priest that he knows and trusts.

Answer
That is such a confused situation that I am having trouble following it.  It does seem clear that neither of you are is in your Faith, and one of you may have no Faith at all.  A truly Catholic priest would not become involved in such a situation.  To enter into a Sacrament, both parties would, of course, have to be practicing Catholics who have been properly instructed in the Sacrament of Matrimony.  What you seem to be describing is something entirely different.  From your description it sounds as if you would be better off marrying in a secular setting, as by a judge or justice of the peace, as there doesn't seem to be any real religion in what you are describing.