Must the witnesses at my marriage be Catholics?

Dear Fr. Rob,

My fiance and I are planning our wedding in the Catholic Church.  One of my best lifelong friends is not a Catholic and even considers himself an athiest.  Because this friend and I have share so much of our lives together, I would like to ask this person to be one of the witnesses at our wedding.  My fiance is not sure we would be allowed to ask this person to be a witness at our wedding.  Will the Catholic Church allow my athiest friend to be a witness at our wedding?

A curious bride to be.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Curious,

Good question.  I found the answer in Catholic Canon law: Canon 1108.  Here is the text for you to read: 

THE ELEMENTS OF CANONICAL FORM

Canon 1108 — §1. Only those marriages are valid which are contracted before the local ordinary, pastor, or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them, who assist, and before two witnesses according to the rules expressed in the following canons and without prejudice to the exceptions mentioned in cann. 144,1112, §1,1116, and 1127, §§1-2.

An Authorized Witness

When a Catholic enters marriage, the Church ordinarily recognizes the union as valid only if the canonical form of marriage is observed in its celebration. In other words, one must exchange marital consent in the presence of an authorized minister of the Church and at least two additional witnesses. Subsequent canons regulate in detail who is considered an authorized minister of marriage in the Church.

Two Additional Witnesses

The presence of at least two additional witnesses is as essential for the valid celebration of a marriage as the presence of an authorized minister. Unlike sponsors at baptism (c. 872) and confirmation (c. 892), these witnesses at marriage assume no responsibility to attest to the faith of those entering marriage or to assist them in living out its obligations. Their sole function is to witness to the fact that the marriage was legitimately celebrated. Thus, the code stipulates no detailed qualifications for those fulfilling this role. To function as witnesses to the celebration of the marriage, they should possess the use of reason and be capable of understanding the events they are witnessing. Although no minimum age is specified for these witnesses, those who have not completed their fourteenth year may not serve as witnesses in canonical processes (c. 1550, §1). Thus, preference should be given to witnesses fourteen or older. Clearly excluded from the function of witness are those who are insane, intoxicated, or severely developmentally disabled.

Commentators on the 1917 code also excluded the deaf from serving as witnesses at marriages. This position reflected a long and unfortunate history of assimilating the deaf to those habitually lacking the use of reason. Current research demonstrates that this assimilation was erroneous. While they may not be able to hear the words by which the spouses exchange consent, they may be able to witness the exchange of consent in other ways, e.g., by lip reading, signing, or other gestures.

So.....you can invite your friend to be a witness!!!!

Peace and Love,

Fr. Rob