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1. We do not regularly attend a Roman Catholic Parish in the area, and I cannot find a Roman Catholic Priest who will marry us. Being married in the church means a lot to us. What can we do?
There are several options. Most Roman Catholic parishes will require that you have at least some connection to a Roman Catholic Parish. If you live in this area and are open to doing so, seek out a parish where you feel comfortable, meet with the pastor and explain that you would like to join the parish and have plans to marry. If you now live in another area and are active in a parish there, ask your local priest to connect you to a parish here. If you still have parents or relatives living in this area who belong to a parish, ask them to speak to their priest about your request.
All Catholics who approach a priest for a sacrament or help of any kind should be welcomed and listened to. Please call or contact Rev. David at the phone number or email address above if he can be of help.
2. One of us is (or both of us are) divorced and we do not wish to use the annulment process. Our priest has told us that we cannot be married in the church. Can you help us?
Officials in the Roman Catholic Church do not recognize divorce as a possibility - hence they are unable to offer any official pathways other than the annulment process for divorced people seeking to remarry.
Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, other Catholic Churches (such as the Episcopal Church, and Eastern Orthodox Churches) teach that second marriages may be blessed. The sacred bond which is formed in the Sacrament of Marriage is itself a living bond, capable of growth and maturity, requiring the nurture and sustenance of both parties involved. As a human bond it is subject to sin and to death. Humanity has been redeemed in Christ Jesus, and in his resurrection we know death to be conquered, sin to be forgiven, and the chance for New Life given to all.
Rev. David will welcome divorced people seeking the sacrament of marriage as God's children seeking happiness and an opportunity for new life.
3. If Rev. David witnesses our marriage will it be legal in the eyes of the state? Will the Church recognize our marriage?
Both Rev. Jim David and Rev. Marie David have faculties (authority) from the Catholic Ecumenical Church and are certified as officiants by the Federation of Christian Ministries. In this context they have civil authority to perform wedding ceremonies and your marriage will be legal in the eyes of the state.
While the Catholic Ecumenical Church will recognize your marriage as valid, Roman Catholic Church officials will not. Officials in the Roman Catholic Church require that its members follow the "form" of Canon Law (i.e., they must be married according to the rules and custom laid out in Canon Law). Couples married by either Rev. David are not following the form of Roman Catholic Canon Law, hence their marriage will not be recognized by Roman Catholic Officials.
4. We want to be married in an outdoor ceremony but our priest will only take part in a service in the church. Will you perform an outside ceremony?
Yes.
5. Do you have a Church where you regularly minister and in which our ceremony may take place?
The staff of Evensong by the Sea Retreat & Spirituality Center provides a variety of services to Christians and others on the spiritual journey. There is a small chapel at Evensong where we gather for regular prayer and worship, however we do not have a Church building where we regularly minister. There are many Churches which would welcome your wedding, however, and the staff of Evensong might be able to help you to locate one in our area.
6. Do you charge for your services?
We do charge a just fee for our services, but no one is ever turned away because they cannot afford to pay. A fee schedule for weddings can be accessed in the menu below.
WEDDING FEES
CONTACT REV. JIM DAVID
CONTACT REV. MARIE DAVID
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LINKS TO OTHER ROMAN CATHOLIC REFORM SITES