The Church pre-supposes that those being married in the Church actually participate in the faith of the Church. This would include attending Mass every week and taking part in the sacraments of the Church. Taking the position that one is just to busy to practice their faith is not an excuse. Their faith should be the priority. At their wedding they will make promises to raise their children in the Church. How can they raise their children in the Church when they, themselves, do not participate in their own faith? So I would say, in this case, that a conversion is necessary. From a practical standpoint it will depend upon the particualr priest as to whether or not he will allow it. What I don’t understand is why one feels it necessary to be married in a Church which they do not attend anyway.If a catholic has strayed from the church, still believes but just isn’t practicing, can they still marry in the catholic church in the future? What steps would need to be taken? There hasn’t been a conversion, or any other church involved, just with travel for work & such he stopped attending altogether.
Thanks for clarifying. Maybe this is an opportunity to bring him back. It happens to a lot of people, which is why the Church requires weekly Mass. Once you stop that, it is too easy to just forget about it altogether. If there is one thing I love it is a convert. If you are excited about your faith, maybe he will get excited as well.Well, the situation is that I am in the RCIA now, & attend mass regularly. My boyfriend is the nonpracticing Catholic. We are both middle aged. Our children, all from previous marriages, are now adults. I cannot have anymore children. So we wouldn’t be having kids together. I want to be married in the church, I want it to be a sacrament. He still believes, just doesn’t attend mass, he lives out of state on business currently.
this person needs conversion in the sense not that he changes religions, but that he return to the sacraments and practice of his Catholic faith, starting with confession. you cannot make him do this, but even if he doesn’t for the good of your own faith the priest will marry you, or convalidate your civil marriage. Visit the priest soon.If a catholic has strayed from the church, still believes but just isn’t practicing, can they still marry in the catholic church in the future? What steps would need to be taken? There hasn’t been a conversion, or any other church involved, just with travel for work & such he stopped attending altogether.