Expert: Fr. Michael - 4/2/2007

Question
  
My Fiancé is joining the church. Although for the wedding ceremony we
decided that it would mean more to us if his Grandfather preformed the
ceremony. His grandfather is a non-deformational pastor. We want our
marriage to accepted by the church though. I was wondering if it is
possible and if so what steps would need to be taken for the wedding to be
accepted bye the church.
Sincerely
Jackie  

Answer
Traditionally, a Catholic marries before a minister or justice of the peace, that Catholic excommunicates himself/herself from the Church.  The reason is simple.  You are choosing to turn your back on the true Faith and approach some non-Catholic sect for purported sacraments.  In effect, by your public act (and marriage is a very public act), you are telling the world that you choose no longer to be a member of the Catholic Church.