Dear Helen,

• A Roman Catholic and a Latin Catholic?

If I understand you correctly, I believe you're speaking about the same Catholic rite. Usually the protocol is after you inform the pastor that you would like to get married, he will inform you of some kind of pre-Cana program to attend.

The pastor should let you know what exactly that program is and how long it may be.

Paul

Hi, Helen —

A Latin Rite Catholic is a Roman Catholic.

Mary Ann

Hi, Helen —

Just to elaborate on what my colleagues have said. There are about 23 rites in the Catholic Church; the Latin Rite makes up the majority of Catholics in the Church.

Each bishop (some bishops have different titles for their office.) around the world has his own diocese and they oversee the proper implementation of the Church's various rites.

Although the Holy Father oversees all the rites of the Church, He has his own diocese as well. Because He is the icon of unity for Catholics of all rites, on issues of faith and morals, we refer to his diocese as the Holy See, or Holy Diocese.

Because all Catholics of any rite within the Church believe in the Petrine ministry:

All Catholics are Roman Catholics, but not all Roman Catholics are Latin-rite Catholics.

Hope this helps,

Mike