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When a Marries an Orthodox Christian

WALKINGTOGETHERSERIES

1. WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT MARRYING AN Eritrean, and Malankara (or Indian) Orthodox churches. 1. ORTHODOXwHat’s sPecial CHRISTIAN? aBout marrYing an Theexceptions third groupare the is Coptic, the Assyrian Ethiopian, Eritrean, of the Eastand ,Malankara an ortHodoxFrom the Catholic cHristian? point of view, the Orthodox churches ancient(Indian) churchOriental centered Orthodox in Churches,modern-day which Iraq doand not Iran. bless The Fromoccupy the Catholican exceptional point of place. view, Inthe fact, Orthodox the churches on greatinterchurch majority of the churchesunder any of circumstances. all three groups make occupy an exceptional place. In fact, the Decree on Ecumenism (a document of the 3.provision wHat Kind for their of PreParation faithful to marry do Catholics. we The excep- (a document of the Second Vatican Council concerning our concerning our relations with other ) says that tionsneed are to themarrY? Coptic, Ethiopian, Eritrean, and Malankara relations with other Christians) says that these churches are these churches are special because they have preserved In(Indian) keeping Oriental with the Orthodox friendly relationship Churches, betweenwhich do our not churches, bless special because they have preserved the ancient traditions that the ancient traditions that came down to us from the ainterchurch Catholic-Orthodox marriages couple under considering any circumstances. should work came down to us from the . Most importantly, they Apostles. Most importantly, they “possess true sacra- closely with both of their regarding appropriate mar- “possess true , above all—by — ments, above all—by apostolic succession—the - riage3. WHAT preparation KIND courses. OF PREPARATION Each will also need DO to obtain WE the the priesthood and the , whereby they are still joined hood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to NEED TO MARRY? to us in closest intimacy” (Decree on Ecumenism, no. 15). permission of his or her local (or his delegate) to marry us in closest intimacy” (Decree on Ecumenism, no. 15). In keeping with the friendly relationship between our The fact that we celebrate the same sacraments as the Ortho- the other, and the Catholic will need a special dispensation The fact that we celebrate the same sacraments as the churches, a Catholic-Orthodox couple considering marriage dox churches puts them in a special category, closer to us from the Catholic bishop if the is to take place before Orthodox churches puts them in a special category, closer should work closely with both of their pastors regarding than the ecclesial communities that sprang from the Protes- an Orthodox priest. During this process, the Catholic will be to us than the ecclesial communities that sprang from the appropriate marriage preparation courses. Each will also tant . asked to state that he or she intends to remain a Catholic. The Protestant Reformation. need to obtain the permission of his or her local bishop (or Still, some theological matters continue to divide us. Most dispensation to marry in an Orthodox service is necessary only Still, some theological matters continue to divide his delegate) to marry the other, and the Catholic will need importantly, Orthodox churches do not accept Catholic teach- for the lawfulness of the marriage. If it takes place without the a special dispensation from the Catholic bishop if the wed- ingsus. regarding Most importantly, the primacy Orthodox and infallibility churches of thedo notPope. accept And dispensation, the still considers the marriage ding is to take place before an Orthodox priest. During this whileCatholic Catholics teachings and Orthodox regarding both the believeprimacy that and Christian infallibility to be valid if both parties were free to marry. marriageof the .is a , And while we Catholics differ regarding and Orthodox the possibility both of process,As a general the Catholic rule, the will Orthodox be asked do to not state allow that their he or faithful she to divorcebelieve and that remarriage, Christian as marriage well as who is a is sacrament, the we of differ the beintends married to remainin a non-Orthodox a Catholic. Theceremony. dispensation For example, to marry the in dia- sacrament.regarding Roman the possibility Catholics of believe the and two remarriage, people getting as well loguean Orthodox between service Catholics is necessary and Eastern only Orthodox for the lawfulness in the United of marriedas who are is the ministersminister of the sacrament,sacrament. while Roman Orthodox Catholics Statesthe marriage. has recommended If it takes place that allwithout the dispensation,between their thefaith- andbelieve Eastern the Catholics two people believe getting the ministermarried areis the the priest. ministers fulCatholic take place Church in an still Eastern considers Orthodox the marriage ceremony, to besince valid this if is Inof therecent sacrament, decades, growingwhile Orthodox closeness and between Eastern our Catholics churches theboth only parties way were the Orthodox free to marry. party can remain in good standing hasbelieve been shown the minister in various is the ways. priest. and heads of Orthodox in hisAs or a her general church. rule, If the Orthodox party do not does allow not theirpractice churchesIn recenthave exchanged decades, growingvisits and closeness signed common between declara- our faithfulhis or her to , be married a Catholic in a ceremonynon-Orthodox might ceremony.be the best Foroption. churches has been shown in various ways. Popes and heads example, the dialogue between Catholics and Eastern tions, and international theological dialogues have been estab- 4. wHat aBout tHe uPBringing of cHildren? of Orthodox churches have exchanged visits and signed Orthodox in the has recommended that lished to work to overcome what still divides us. As early as The couple should address this sensitive question before the all weddings between their faithful take place in an 1971,common Pope Pauldeclarations, VI spoke andof the international “almost perfect theological ” wedding. In the course of preparing for marriage, each party is Eastern Orthodox ceremony, since this is the only way the thatdialogues exists between have been Catholic established and Orthodox to work Christians.to overcome what likely to be asked to promise in some way to baptize and raise still divides us. As early as 1971, Pope Paul VI spoke of the Orthodox party can remain in good standing in his or her 2. wHat cHurcHes are we talKing aBout? any children in his or her own church. Both churches consider “almost perfect communion” that exists between Catholic church. If the Orthodox party does not practice his or her Three groups of churches fall into the Orthodox category. this to be a serious matter. In the United States, where Ortho- and Orthodox Christians. faith, a Catholic ceremony might be the best option. By far the largest is the communion of churches known as dox are small in number compared to Catholics, this question Eastern Orthodox or simply as the Orthodox Church. These are touches upon the future of Orthodox churches in our society. 2. WHAT CHURCHES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? 4. WHAT ABOUT THE UPBRINGING the churches of the Byzantine tradition—including the great The Catholic party should know that if—given the circum- OF CHILDREN? Russian,Three Greek,groups Romanian,of churches Bulgarian, fall into the and Orthodox Serbian Orthodox category. stances of the marriage—the children are brought up Ortho- The couple should address this sensitive question before churches,By far the and largest several is others—thatthe communion look ofto churchesthe Ecumenical known as dox, his or her relationship to the Catholic Church will not the wedding. In the course of preparing for marriage, PatriarchEastern ofOrthodox or simply as as a pointthe Orthodox of unity. ChurchThe next. These group be jeopardized. Since Catholics and Orthodox share the same is arethe thefamily churches of six Oriental of the ByzantineOrthodox Churches tradition—including: the Armenian, the sacraments,each party is the likely spiritual to be formation asked to promiseof children in somein authentic way to Coptic,great Russian,Syrian, Ethiopian, Greek, Romanian, Eritrean, and Bulgarian, Malankara and (or Serbian Indian) Christianbaptize and raise any and children ways of Christianin his or herliving own would, church. for the OrthodoxOrthodox churches. churches, The and third several group others—that is the Assyrian look Church to the of mostBoth part,churches be similar consider in either this tochurch. be a serious In any matter.case, since In thedouble theEcumenical East, an ancient church of centeredConstantinople in modern-day as a point Iraq of and membershipUnited States, is not where possible, Orthodox the children are small will in need number to receive com- Iran.unity. The The great next majority group of is thethe churches of of six all Oriental three groups Orthodox thepared sacraments to Catholics, and be this educated question in touchesone church upon or thethe futureother. makeChurches provision: the for Armenian, their faithful Coptic, to marry Syrian, Catholics. Ethiopian, The Thatof Orthodox said, marriage churches also in includes our society. a special obligation for the The Catholic party should know that if—given the the family. , Scripture celebrations and study, and circumstances of the marriage—the children are brought seasonal services for or are all good exam- up Orthodox, his or her relationship to the Catholic ples. In some areas it also be possible to join with Church will not be jeopardized. Since Catholics and other Orthodox-Catholic couples to share experiences and Orthodox share the same sacraments, the spiritual forma- support one another. Above all, couples need to learn to tion of children in authentic Christian doctrine and ways pray together. of Christian living would, for the most part, be similar in In this way, a Catholic and an Orthodox married to either church. In any case, since double membership is not each other can provide a concrete example of how the possible, the children will need to receive the sacraments faithful of our two churches can relate to one another with and be educated in one church or the other. That said, respect and love. May the , who brings to marriage also includes a special obligation for the couple both our churches, bind all such married couples together to make every effort to help the children to know and in perfect love and make them a living sign of that unity appreciate the traditions and practices of the churches of for which both Catholics and Orthodox pray. both parents. RESOURCES 5. HOW CAN WE LIVE OUT OUR Evdokimov, Paul. The Sacrament of Love: The Nuptial Mystery in the Light of the Orthodox Tradition. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1985. CHRISTIAN FAITH TOGETHER IN A CATHOLIC- Oriental Orthodox– Consultation in the United States. ORTHODOX MARRIAGE? Oriental Orthodox–Roman Catholic Interchurch Marriages and Other Pastoral Relationships. Edited by Garabed Kochakian, John Meno, and Ronald When a Catholic and an Orthodox Christian are joined Roberson. , DC: United States Conference of Catholic in matrimony, they will have many opportunities to (USCCB), 1995. Published jointly by the USCCB and the Standing Committee of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America. illustrate, through their married life, the spiritual and United States Catholic-Orthodox Theological Consultation. theological closeness of our two churches. Under some cir- An Agreed Statement on Mixed Marriage. 1971. http://www.usccb.org/ beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/ecumenical/orthodox/ cumstances this may include sharing in the Eucharist, but mixed-marriage.cfm. the two churches have different views on this question. United States Catholic-Orthodox Theological Consultation. Joint Recommendations on the Spiritual Formation of Children of Marriages The Catholic Church offers to Orthodox Christians the Between Orthodox and Roman Catholics. 1980. http://www.usccb.org/ Sacraments of , the Eucharist, and the beliefs-and-teachings/ecumenical-and-interreligious/ecumenical/orthodox/ of the Sick when they ask for them of their own free will spiritual-formation-of-children.cfm. USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. A Guide for and are properly disposed. But Orthodox pastors instruct Catholics Considering Marriage with an Orthodox Christian. Washington, DC: their faithful not to receive Communion in a Catholic USCCB, 1998. USCCB Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. A Guide on church. Both churches have the conviction that only Catholic-Orthodox Marriages for Catholic and Other Pastoral Ministers. those united in the same faith can share the Eucharist. Washington, DC: USCCB, 1998. For the Orthodox, this implies that the Eucharist can be shared only with Orthodox. For Catholics, the level of unity in faith that already exists with the Orthodox The document When a Catholic Marries an Orthodox Christian is a part allows such sharing to take place. Consequently, a couple’s of the Walking Together Series and was developed as a resource by the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United desire to share the Eucharist, just as they will share the States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). It was reviewed Sacrament of Marriage, touches on different points of view by the committee chairman, Bishop Richard J. Sklba, and has been and practices that are not easily harmonized. authorized for publication by the undersigned. Msgr. J. Malloy, STD Couples should place high priority on becoming famil- General Secretary, USCCB iar with each other’s traditions, customs, and devotions. This can be as routine as saying before meals or Excerpts from Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar sharing practices. They may to attend services Documents, New Revised Edition, edited by Austin Flannery, OP, copyright © 1996, Costello Publishing Company, Inc., Northport, N.Y. with one another while allowing each to participate are used with permission of the publisher, all rights reserved. in his or her own . The family can also attend many other kinds of services together, apart from the Eucharist, Copyright © 2008, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved. that do not highlight the exclusion of any members of

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