Inter-faith Marriage - what about the children?!

[KindredSoul]

I have three closely related questions; they shouldn’t be too long (two of them can be answered “yes” or “no” if length of the reply is an issue), but they’re all three really bothering me…the situation is currently distant but not completely hypothetical. Please help me.

First, if a Catholic marries non-Catholic who has a child/children already and might object to their being raised Catholic, does the Catholic have any obligation whatsoever to raise those children in the faith, or is it okay for him/her to just live a good Catholic life as an example for them?

Secondly, is it an acceptable reason to use NFP if the said Catholic fears that the non-Catholic spouse might not be up for raising any children they have together as Catholic (because it might “offend” the Protestant sensibilities of her other children)?

Third (related to the second), is NFP acceptable if the Non-Catholic insists on having no more children and might even possibly use birth control or even have a permanent contraceptive medical procedure done otherwise (without the Catholic’s consent, of course)?

 

[Reginald_Plum]

KindredSoul,

These links should answer all your questions. If you have any further questions or concerns that are not answered by these links, please contact Catholic Answers directly.

First, if a Catholic marries non-Catholic who has a child/children already and might object to their being raised Catholic, does the Catholic have any obligation whatsoever to raise those children in the faith, or is it okay for him/her to just live a good Catholic life as an example for them?

Recommended Reading:
What’s the Catholic teachings on step parents role?
Can a stepmother raise her stepchildren Catholic?

Secondly, is it an acceptable reason to use NFP if the said Catholic fears that the non-Catholic spouse might not be up for raising any children they have together as Catholic (because it might “offend” the Protestant sensibilities of her other children)?

Recommended Reading:
Should I not have children if my husband isn’t Catholic?
Should I marry a man of a different religion?
What is my obligation to bring up my child as a Catholic?

Third (related to the second), is NFP acceptable if the Non-Catholic insists on having no more children and might even possibly use birth control or even have a permanent contraceptive medical procedure done otherwise (without the Catholic’s consent, of course)?

**Recommended Reading:
What do I do if my wife doesn’t want children?
Am I doing enough to stop my wife from taking birth control?
**