Msgr. Rossetti

Response: I understand that "handfasting" is an ancient Celtic ceremony which binds a couple together and, in this case, a ceremony spiritually symbolizing their marriage. This is a pagan ritual and not appropriate for a Christian wedding. Moreover, in a Wiccan context, our experience suggests that it is an opening to the demonic since Wicca is itself an opening to the demonic, and it typically worships pagan deities such as Pan and Hecate.

In one exorcism of ours, the demons actually identified themselves as Pan and Hecate. Pagan "gods" are typically demons. I would not go to the ceremony since you would be participating in a pagan ritual that summons and empowers the demonic. If it were my brother or sister, I would tell them that I loved them and wished them well, but I would explain why I would not attend.