![]() I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. Hello Sandra, here is some scripture that may help with your question. Humility and open and honest communication about expectations and the practical side of a mixed-marriage is important to making it succeed. Attempting to convert one’s spouse can be interpreted as hostile and could lead to discord in the marriage. In either case the disparities between faiths can lead to tension and gradually religious indifference. This can be very difficult and trying, but can be overcome by mutual respect.Ī marriage to a non-baptized person can be especially difficult because of the greater chasm in religious belief. Concerns About Marrying Non-Catholicsįor a mixed-marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic to work well it is important that the couple embraces what is common between their respective faith traditions and “to learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1634). If this leads to a free conversion of belief by the non-believer then the church rejoices. Sacramentally in marriage the spouses are the conduits of grace to each other and in a mixed-marriage of disparity of cult the Catholic is a conduit of grace to the non-believer. Scripture tells us that the unbelieving spouse is made holy through the believing spouse (1 Cor. When it involves someone who has not been baptized then the marriage requires an express dispensation from the bishop in order for the union to be considered valid. ![]() In the above example the two people are baptized Christians of different confessions (or denominations), but a non-baptized person is not a part of the Christian family. The Catholic Church calls the union of a Catholic to someone who has not been baptized a disparity of cult. If a Catholic insists on marriage to a non-Catholic, the Church allows it, but wants to protect the soul of the Catholic in the marriage by making sure the non-Catholic understands the moral teaching and obligations of the Catholic party and assure that the Catholic is not in a position hostile to his or her faith. One of the reasons that the Church exists is to safeguard the souls of those in its care. The Catholic person must uphold the obligation to preserve his or her own faith and “ensure the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church,” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1635). ![]() However, express permission of the local bishop is necessary. Sometimes a future spouse will choose to go through a process called RCIA to become Catholic prior to marriage, but it is not necessary to become Catholic before marrying a Catholic. The Church refers to these types of marriages as mixed-marriages. It has been the practice of the Church to marry non-Catholics and Catholics for quite some time. The Catholic Church does not forbid Catholics from marrying people who are not Catholic. ![]()
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