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shell8746
Guest
I am Catholic and have been my entire life. I am wondering if I were to marry someone that is not Catholic, can we get married in a Catholic church and have our marriage recognized by the Catholic church?
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dhgray
Guest
Yes. My wife is Catholic and I was not when we got married in the Church. I did have to promise to allow her to practice her faith and to Baptize and raise the children Catholic.
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is to keep Christ in the center of your marriage.
THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is to keep Christ in the center of your marriage.
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SeekerJen
Guest
Pretty much what dhgray said, only when my husband and I married last year, I had to promise to baptize and raise our children as Catholics, and I had to sign a statement to that effect. My husband, as the non-Catholic, didn’t have to promise anything, but he spoke right up and announced that he didn’t have a problem if our children were Catholic (fortunately). A dispensation is required from the diocese for the “mixed” marriage, but we were barely aware of this: our priest waited until he received our baptismal certificates and then called us in to sign a couple more forms. It was all very painless on our part. (You’ll still have to go through pre-marital counseling with the priest and Pre-Cana sessions, though.)
At the suggestion of our priest, instead of the full Mass we had a nuptial Scripture service, which is essentially the Liturgy of the Word plus the exchange of vows. It was a good compromise because it was still a valid and licit sacrament, but there wasn’t awkwardness when only one spouse could receive the Eucharist (and I can imagine how that would have gone over with my in-laws, not one of whom is Catholic).
At the suggestion of our priest, instead of the full Mass we had a nuptial Scripture service, which is essentially the Liturgy of the Word plus the exchange of vows. It was a good compromise because it was still a valid and licit sacrament, but there wasn’t awkwardness when only one spouse could receive the Eucharist (and I can imagine how that would have gone over with my in-laws, not one of whom is Catholic).
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Stylteralmaldo
Guest
My wife was a non-Catholic when we married. We agreed to raise our children Catholic (which is necessary when considering marrying a non-Catholic in the Catholic Church).
Good luck to you and God bless!
Good luck to you and God bless!
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Tantum_ergo
Guest
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church
<<<<< Mixed marriages and disparity of cult
1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a nonbaptized person) requires even greater circumspection.
1634 Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise.
1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority.[135] In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.[136] This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage and the obligations assumed by the Catholic party concerning the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church.[137]
1636 Through ecumenical dialogue Christian communities in many regions have been able to put into effect a common pastoral practice for mixed marriages. Its task is to help such couples live out their particular situation in the light of faith, overcome the tensions between the couple’s obligations to each other and towards their ecclesial communities, and encourage the flowering of what is common to them in faith and respect for what separates them.
1637 In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: “For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband.”[138] It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this “consecration” should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith.[139] Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion. >>>>>
<<<<< Mixed marriages and disparity of cult
1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a nonbaptized person) requires even greater circumspection.
1634 Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise.
1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority.[135] In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage.[136] This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage and the obligations assumed by the Catholic party concerning the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church.[137]
1636 Through ecumenical dialogue Christian communities in many regions have been able to put into effect a common pastoral practice for mixed marriages. Its task is to help such couples live out their particular situation in the light of faith, overcome the tensions between the couple’s obligations to each other and towards their ecclesial communities, and encourage the flowering of what is common to them in faith and respect for what separates them.
1637 In marriages with disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task: “For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband.”[138] It is a great joy for the Christian spouse and for the Church if this “consecration” should lead to the free conversion of the other spouse to the Christian faith.[139] Sincere married love, the humble and patient practice of the family virtues, and perseverance in prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept the grace of conversion. >>>>>
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