Catholic canon law requires Catholics to marry in the presence of a Catholic priest or deacon and two witnesses for the marriage to be recognized as valid by the Church. There are exceptions, but they require permission from the Catholic Church.
Therefore, a Catholic marrying in a Lutheran church without a Catholic priest or deacon present would not be considered a valid marriage by the Catholic Church unless they have received a dispensation from the requirement of canonical form.
Here's a breakdown:
* Canonical Form: This is the requirement that Catholics marry before a Catholic priest or deacon and two witnesses. It's considered essential for validity.
* Dispensation from Canonical Form: A bishop can grant a dispensation from this requirement in certain circumstances. Common reasons include:
* Marriage to a non-Catholic in a non-Catholic church.
* Significant difficulties in finding a Catholic priest or deacon.
* Other compelling reasons, such as family considerations.
In summary:
* If a Catholic marries in a Lutheran church without a Catholic priest/deacon and without a dispensation from canonical form, the Catholic Church will not recognize the marriage as valid. They would still be considered single in the eyes of the Church.
* If a Catholic marries in a Lutheran church without a Catholic priest/deacon but has received a dispensation from canonical form, the marriage *can* be considered valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
Recommendation:
If a Catholic is planning to marry in a Lutheran church, they should:
1. Contact their Catholic priest immediately.
2. Discuss the situation and explore the possibility of obtaining a dispensation from canonical form.
3. Understand the implications for their standing within the Catholic Church.
Failing to follow these steps could lead to a situation where the Catholic is considered to be living in a state of sin (living as married outside the bounds of the Church) and may not be able to receive certain sacraments.