E
Eleanor61
Guest
I have seen this play out in other marriages and I think the OP has every right to be concerned. It is certainly possible for a wife to put parish activities and theological hair splitting ahead of her responsibilities to her husband and home. The Internet makes it so much easier to live in the rarefied world of obscure thoughts and controversies, far removed from the corporal works of mercy which include one’s husband.
In all fairness, some women turn to this sort of thing when they have been let down or badly hurt by their spouse, and they find consolation, but or others it can be a very real cause of distance. They may feel superior to the less “spiritual” spouse, and spiritual pride is easy for most people to recognize in anyone other than themselves.
As suggested, the OP needs to have this discussion with the girlfriend, but it is a reasonable cause for concern, and depending on her reaction and reasoning, may be a cause for ending the relationship. A wife and mother cannot expect to make the parish and the Internet the center of her life.
It has nothing to do with intelligence that I can see. An intelligent woman will realize what a jewel this man is, from the point of view of practicing the faith! (assuming he has represented himself accurately. It is the Internet, after all…)
In all fairness, some women turn to this sort of thing when they have been let down or badly hurt by their spouse, and they find consolation, but or others it can be a very real cause of distance. They may feel superior to the less “spiritual” spouse, and spiritual pride is easy for most people to recognize in anyone other than themselves.
As suggested, the OP needs to have this discussion with the girlfriend, but it is a reasonable cause for concern, and depending on her reaction and reasoning, may be a cause for ending the relationship. A wife and mother cannot expect to make the parish and the Internet the center of her life.
It has nothing to do with intelligence that I can see. An intelligent woman will realize what a jewel this man is, from the point of view of practicing the faith! (assuming he has represented himself accurately. It is the Internet, after all…)