I think I see part of the problem. The regulations/rules of the Catholic Church alwaya have to do with the spiritual circumstances of those concerned. Thus, your question seemed very personal and intrusive, asking for information that is alwsys confidential even if not a matter for the confessional. Perhaps I missed the point of your question, but I think you may have missed the “point” of the Church, whose first concern is always the spiritual welfare of the parties involved, including children.
“So, my question is: did Newt and Callista Gingrich get married by a priest in the Catholic Church? If so, how?”
I don’t understand what is personal and intrusive about asking if ANYONE was married by a priest in a church. That is actually a matter of public record, available for $2 or so in the office of vital records of whatever jurisdiction the couple was married in. EVERY marriage license I’ve ever seen is signed by the officiant and two witnesses, then registered in a civil office.
As a matter of fact, simply by googling, I just learned that the Gingriches were NOT married in a Catholic Church and were, in fact, married across the street from where I once lived (and where my mother suggested my wedding be held, not approving of the venue I had chosen). I am going to assume that, given his divorce, a Catholic priest did not officiate. None of that surprises me or is out of character with what I do know about the Catholic Church and its rules and regulations.
But, if the ‘point’ of the Church’s regulations is the spiritual welfare of the parties, why would it decline membership to one who seeks salvation there? That is what I just don’t get, and probably never will.