Q: I am planning to be married in the near future. Does the best man and maid of honor have to be practicing Catholics?

A: The best man or maid of honor does not have to be a practicing Catholic, or even a Catholic, for that matter. The Church’s official witness at a marriage is the priest, whose responsibility is to ask for and receive the consent of both parties. The function of the other two witnesses — usually a maid of honor and best man — is simply to attest that the marriage took place. They don’t have to make any promises that they will assist the married couple in living up to their marriage vows or the laws of the Church, there are not the same requirements as for baptismal sponsors.