Is it a Mortal Sin if you can't take your kids to Mass?

[jerljame]

I’m a recent convert (confirmed this past Easter Vigil). It took me four years to finally be received into the Church due to resistance from my wife, who did not want me to leave her protestant church. She was raised in a fundamentalist protestant congregation that can be very anti-Catholic (Churches of Christ). She finally relented earlier this year and agreed to support me being Catholic, but absolutely refuses to let me take our five-year-old daughter to Mass. She takes her to the worship service at her Churches of Christ church with her. As a Catholic father, I know I have a responsibility to raise my children in the Church. Until my wife changes her mind, am I committing a mortal sin by not bringing my child to Mass?

Anyone with a similar experience, I would appreciate your insight.

 

[Retsel]

This is a good question for your Priest.

Be warned, strong inflexible beliefs can easily shred a marriage.

 

[humbleseeker]

Hi jerljame, welcome home to the Catholic Church and welcome to the forum. I don’t have any insights into your particular situation but agree you should bring it up with your priest. I am, however, a convert from the Church of Christ. If I can help you or your wife answer any questions, just let me know.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think your priest is the best one to advise you on this. We aren’t really in a position to tell people if a sin is mortal or not.

I would suggest that if you didn’t take your 5-year-old daughter to Mass, it’s not a free-will choice on your part, because if it were only up to you, you would take her to Mass, but your wife is strongly opposed and therefore you have a conflicting concern about preserving your marriage and family life. A mortal sin usually requires a free-will choice by the person committing it. Again, discuss with your priest.

 

[1ke]

As a Catholic father, I know I have a responsibility to raise my children in the Church.

You have a responsibility to try.

Your daughter is not a Catholic.

Until my wife changes her mind, am I committing a mortal sin by not bringing my child to Mass?

Of course you can. You are heaping coals upon yourself where there is no need.

You married her before you were a Catholic. You made no promises regarding raising children in the faith. You are not breaking any promises nor are you committing any sin.

 

[jerljame]

Thank you! This is what I was thinking as well. I’m going to continue to try, but I think I will also discuss with my parish priest.

 

[Retsel]

She was raised in a fundamentalist protestant congregation that can be very anti-Catholic (Churches of Christ). She finally relented earlier this year and agreed to support me being Catholic, but absolutely refuses to let me take our five-year-old daughter to Mass.

The seeds for a tragedy have already been planted.
Confer with your parish priest but be very careful how you “continue to try”.

Just about anything you share with her will be most likely viewed as ganging-up.
Angered or confused enough she’ll most likely turn to advisors in her church.

From what you said of C of C I wouldn’t expect her to get good advice.

In time, maybe a lifetime, she’ll see your loving example and be open to learning more about Catholicism, but if you push, I fear you’ll lose your family.

 

[jlc2k2]

Even if your wife was fully on board with you taking her to Mass, there would be no sin in a child not attending before the age of reason. Beyond that, I would consult your priest to see what advice he has. You will not likely be the first person with this situation he has encountered.

 

[1ke]

Even if your wife was fully on board with you taking her to Mass, there would be no sin in a child not attending before the age of reason.

And there is no sin in not taking a child who is not a Catholic to mass after the age of reason.