J.W. —
A priest is not a private person but a public person. There is no such thing as the priest going to a wedding reception just as a friend and not as a priest. Even if it were the priest's brother getting married, the priest's presence symbolizes the Church's presence.
The Catholic who chose a non-denominational wedding for [his/her] marriage could have gone through the proper marriage preparation and could have had a dispensation to marry a non-Catholic in a non-denominational ceremony.
Seeing that the Catholic chose not to do that, it tells the world that they do not want the Catholic Church to be a part of their married life. *(whether that is their actual sentiment or not.)
If it were two Catholics getting married then it is two Catholics deliberately choosing not to be married in the Church. The priest by saying the prayer at the reception is, by his presence, endorsing the couple in their choice. Being a public figure he should not do this.
If you are a Catholic and your friend is a priest and you are not interested in being married in the Church, the kind thing to say to your friend, the priest, is:
"Hey Father, I know you can't come."
Fr. Jonathan
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