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tkjensen
Guest
What I really wanted to know is if I can receive communion, participate as a reader, usher, etc. if this were to occur?
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guanophore
Guest
I agree that it is not right to judge one another. But it is important for you to know how behavior is judged by the Church. If what you say is true, and you are “firm Catholic”, then you know that you made a promise to raise your children Catholic. Do Lutherans make this same promise when they are married? If so, then I can see how that makes the decision more difficult.
You will no longer be a “Catholic in good standing” if you fail to keep your commitment made at marriage. It does not make you “un-Catholic”. If you were not serving in any of these roles previously, you may not miss the loss of that status. You might wish to consider what other "comprimises"you have made, or will continue to make.
A lie is a deliberate attempt to deceive others, either by what is said, or what is left unsaid. If you are a “firm Catholic” and were so when you were married, then it is likely that you made the agreements sincerely, and therefore, cannot be considered a “liar” if you now do not keep them. You will break a promise, but this was not your intention when you made it.
The Catholic and the Lutheran faiths share a great deal in common. However, at a deep level, they are fundamentally opposed to one another. Having children and other major life changes is what brings out these differences. I would suggest private time in front of the blessed sacrament so that you can seek the will of the Lord.
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1ke
Guest
As you can see from the canons I posted, it is a serious matter. It is a mortal sin to do what you propose if you do it willingly and with full knowledge. So, the ramificaitons that flow from that *could *be the inability to participate in those items you describe above. Talk to your priest before making any decisions!
I **really **encourage you to go talk to your priest about this. I am very sorry you did not talk through this before you got married. Mixed faith marriages are among the hardest to make work, especially when both spouses are devout in their own faith.
Your obligation is to raise your children Catholic. If your spouse adamantly refuses-- go see your priest for pastoral advice. No one here can give you that type of advice, only what the Church teaches about our Catholic obligations.
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agapewolf
Guest
No you may not still receive communion…this comes with the penalty of excommunication. No joke. VERY SERIOUS MATTER! Do not do it.
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puzzleannie
Guest
You would discuss this with your pastor, at the same time you ask for his counsel on baptizing your chidl, which should be yoru first step. The pastor who knows you is a better resource than strangers who don’t know you. What we can give is the objective Church teaching with citations. What we are NOT competent to do, no matter what authority we claim, is to declare that a specific individual is sinning, not in a state of grace, is excommunicated etc. In answer to your question in OP, the decision on where to baptize your child does have serious long term ramifications for his canonical status, and for your spiritual health. see your pastor.
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cameron_lansing
Guest
Certainly as LG 15 observes, a person baptized validly (and that is a side question since we generally view the proper baptisms with water and the trinitarian formula of non Catholic Christian Churches and ecclesial communities as valid unless a doubt arises in a particular case) in another Church or ecclesial community would become Christian and be united with Christ.
The point I presented is that the person would not become incorporated into the Church in the sense in which it is described in Lumen Gentium 6.
(“This is the one Church of Christ which in the Creed is professed as one, holy, catholic and apostolic, which our Saviour, after His Resurrection, commissioned Peter to shepherd, and him and the other apostles to extend and direct with authority, which He erected for all ages as “the pillar and mainstay of the truth”.This Church constituted and organized in the world as a society, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the Bishops in communion with him, although many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside of its visible structure. These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling toward catholic unity.”)
The baptism of a child by a Lutheran minister would incorporate the child into the communion of the Lutheran ecclesial community. It would be later necessary for some action to be taken to make the child Catholic. This could be done in various ways, but until done, the child would remain Lutheran rather than Catholic.
The infliction of a canonical penalty in canon 1366 has to be strictly interpreted. What is envisioned is a malicious handing over based on a rejection of the Catholic faith, and not the situation in which there is a mixed marriage and a Catholic party feels pressured for sake of family harmony. However, it illustrates the gravity in general of the situation.
Also note, that in the promises attached for giving permission for a mixed marriage (cc. 1125), the promise of the Catholic party is to do all in one’s power to have children baptized and raised Catholic. One may be completely sincere in the promise yet be limited in one’s power. My presumption is that this is the plight of the original poster.
Discretion would have to be exercised regarding whether a Catholic parent might consequently be suitable to fulfill liturgical functions of lector or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. The question of religious indifference and scandal, which I do not accuse the poster of at all, would still have to be examined.
Note: the citation of Canon 2319 would be from the old code and is not applicable here.
The original poster is best advised to pray and discuss this with his pastor.
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jujubee
Guest
I have a question for the OP. What are your plans when your child reaches the age when they begin sacramental preparation? Do you plan on having the child start the proper faith formation class in first grade?
I’m facing a similar situation as you, so I am very interested in following this thread. You are in my prayers.
I’m facing a similar situation as you, so I am very interested in following this thread. You are in my prayers.
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Thomas63116
Guest
The USCCB has a review of various diocesan marriage policies on its website. It includes information about how the promise to raise children catholic is interpreted or understood in different dioceses. Relevant portions are excerpted below.
usccb.org/laity/marriage/mpanalysis.shtml
The “Promise”
Historically, perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of interreligious marriage has been the promise that Catholic partners must make to raise their children in the Catholic faith (canon 1125). The promise is made in the following or similar words:
I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ and, with God’s help, intend to continue living that faith in the Catholic Church. I promise to do all in my power to share the faith I have received with our children by having them baptized and reared as Catholics.iv
This promise can be made orally or in writing. The non-Catholic partner is to be informed of the promise, so that he or she is aware of the promise and obligation the Catholic partner has made. The non-Catholic partner no longer has to make a promise or sign a statement.
The Decree on Ecumenism, no. 3 clarifies that “to do all in one’s power” recognizes the religious convictions of the non-Catholic party and implies that a decision is reached that respects those beliefs. It does not mean an absolute promise at the risk of jeopardizing the marriage itself.
As the Michigan policy states, “The possibility also exists that, despite their best efforts, Catholics will be in a situation where some or all of the children are brought up in the religious tradition of their spouses. In such circumstances the obligation of Catholics to share the Catholic faith with their children does not cease, but should take the form of prayer, good example, witness to the faith in word and deed, and maintaining a Christian or religious atmosphere in the home.”
The Church recognizes that the non-Catholic party may feel a similar obligation to his or her religious commitment.v Despite the challenges of ecumenical and interfaith marriages, they do provide an extra motivation for couples to nurture prayer in the home in a form that is common to both spouses.
usccb.org/laity/marriage/mpanalysis.shtml
The “Promise”
Historically, perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of interreligious marriage has been the promise that Catholic partners must make to raise their children in the Catholic faith (canon 1125). The promise is made in the following or similar words:
I reaffirm my faith in Jesus Christ and, with God’s help, intend to continue living that faith in the Catholic Church. I promise to do all in my power to share the faith I have received with our children by having them baptized and reared as Catholics.iv
This promise can be made orally or in writing. The non-Catholic partner is to be informed of the promise, so that he or she is aware of the promise and obligation the Catholic partner has made. The non-Catholic partner no longer has to make a promise or sign a statement.
The Decree on Ecumenism, no. 3 clarifies that “to do all in one’s power” recognizes the religious convictions of the non-Catholic party and implies that a decision is reached that respects those beliefs. It does not mean an absolute promise at the risk of jeopardizing the marriage itself.
As the Michigan policy states, “The possibility also exists that, despite their best efforts, Catholics will be in a situation where some or all of the children are brought up in the religious tradition of their spouses. In such circumstances the obligation of Catholics to share the Catholic faith with their children does not cease, but should take the form of prayer, good example, witness to the faith in word and deed, and maintaining a Christian or religious atmosphere in the home.”
The Church recognizes that the non-Catholic party may feel a similar obligation to his or her religious commitment.v Despite the challenges of ecumenical and interfaith marriages, they do provide an extra motivation for couples to nurture prayer in the home in a form that is common to both spouses.
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Fuerza
Guest
Hi,
It is certainly serious matter, but the excommunications that you mention have been officially abrogated. I’ll try to find the link.
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Fuerza
Guest
From my experience in marrying my Jewish wife last year, this is correct. Catholics in a mixed marriage have an obligation to do all in their power to see that any children are raised Catholic, but “all in their power” is not clearly defined and Catholics who fail to convince their spouses to allow Catholic children despite their best efforts are not penalized. In this case, the Catholic parent is still obligated to teach the Catholic faith to his/her children and should probably be praying for their willful conversion (as well as that of the spouse).
That said, interfaith marriage is a serious issue not to be taken lightly. It should only be entered into after serious prayer and reflection.
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Fuerza
Guest
Found it.
vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19700331_matrimonia-mixta_en.html
Look at number 15.
Again, this is not a free pass to allow your children to be raised as Non-Catholics. You still must do all in your power. All this says is that if you fail, despite your best efforts, that you’re not excommunicated.
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