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Dive_Pistol
Guest
Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic and remain in the Church? If so, how would you do it? Thanks.
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Joe_5859
Guest
The first step would be to talk to one’s pastor about it. The Church does allow for it, but one ought to take the necessary steps to make sure everything is being done according to Canon Law. As individual circumstances vary, the couple really needs to talk to the priest. He will let them know what they need to do in order for the Catholic party to remain in good standing.
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freethinker83
Guest
A friend of mine who is an atheist recently married a Catholic woman in her church.
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achmafooma
Guest
The short answer is ‘yes,’ but the non-Catholic spouse would need to agree to live the marriage in a way that accords with Catholic belief for the benefit of the Catholic spouse.
For example, the Church might be reticent to approve a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic if the non-Catholic didn’t intend to have children, or didn’t intend to allow the children to be brought up in the Church, because these things go against the Catholic (and presumably the Catholic spouse’s) understanding of marriage.
This isn’t ‘imposing’ Catholic belief on a non-Catholic, per se…the Church simply won’t perform a marriage that would require the Catholic spouse to sacrifice his/her beliefs.
The couple that seeks marriage should meet with a Priest to discuss what would need to happen for the Church to permit the marriage of a Catholic and non-Catholic. The rules/procedure are a little different when a Catholic marries a non-Catholic Christian versus when a Catholic marries a non-Christian (Jew, Muslim, atheist, etc.).
God bless you!
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1ke
Guest
It is unwise to do so, but the Church makes allowance for it.
The couple needs to go see the priest. They will attend Catholic premarital preparation courses in whatever manner these are conducted in the diocese.
In the premarital investigation, the priest can assist the couple in applying to the Bishop for permission for a mixed marriage. This can be done after the priest is assured that the Catholic is not in danger of defecting from the faith, and after the Catholic makes the promise to raise the children in the Catholic faith. The non-Catholic must be apprised of this promise.
This all presumes, of course, that there are no impediments to a valid marriage-- such as a prior marriages, etc.
It all begins with making an appointment with the priest.
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Vince1022
Guest
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1ke
Guest
MOTU PROPRIO MATRIMONIA MIXTA, Apostolic Letter:
*The Church is indeed aware that mixed marriages, precisely because they admit differences of religion and are a consequence of the division among Christians, do not, except in some cases, help in reestablishing unity among Christians. There are many difficulties inherent in a mixed marriage, since a certain division is introduced into the living cell of the Church, as the Christian family is rightly called. And in the family itself the fulfillment of the Gospel teachings is more difficult because of diversities in matters of religion, especially with regard to those matters which concern Christian worship and the education of the children.
For these reasons the Church, conscious of her duty, discourages the contracting of mixed marriages, for she is the most desirous that Catholics be able in matrimony to attain to perfect union of mind and full communion of life. *
QUAS VESTRO, Encyclical:
We must diligently safeguard the integrity of sound doctrine and practice, We cannot help but be displeased with whatever might imperil them.* And yet what the church has always thought about marriages between Catholics and non-Catholics is more than abundantly clear. Indeed she has always considered such marriages to be illicit and destructive both because of the disgraceful sharing in sacramental matters involved and because of the ever present danger of the Catholic spouse and improper upbringing of offspring.** **And this is the tenor of most ancient canons severely prohibiting such marriages and more recent sanctions of supreme pontiffs. **What Benedict XIV says about such marriages in his encyclical to the bishops of Poland and in his well known work, de Synodo dioecesana, is more than sufficient. If, indeed, in certain places, because of difficulties of place and conditions, such marriages are tolerated, the reason is surely a sort of moderation. It is in no way to be considered approbation or approval, but merely a toleration, brought about not willingly but by necessity to avoid greater evils. *
And, see this article:
oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Mixed_Marriage
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manualman
Guest
And, of course, St. Paul himself warns believers not to be “unevenly yolked” referring to mixed marriages. For me it was a simple decision: if she doesn’t share my most central values, we just don’t have enough in common.
Anecdotal, but my sister thought I was totally nuts, medieval even. She fell in love and married an atheist who loved her enough to get married in the Church. But he changed his mind when her clock started ticking and decided that kids would be a barrier to his life goals… Now she’s divorced, alone and nearing the end of her fertile years.
Them medieval folks were wiser than we superior moderns give them credit for!
Anecdotal, but my sister thought I was totally nuts, medieval even. She fell in love and married an atheist who loved her enough to get married in the Church. But he changed his mind when her clock started ticking and decided that kids would be a barrier to his life goals… Now she’s divorced, alone and nearing the end of her fertile years.
Them medieval folks were wiser than we superior moderns give them credit for!
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Dive_Pistol
Guest
I’m sorry about your sister. I’ll definitely take the warning to heart.And, of course, St. Paul himself warns believers not to be “unevenly yolked” referring to mixed marriages. For me it was a simple decision: if she doesn’t share my most central values, we just don’t have enough in common.
Anecdotal, but my sister thought I was totally nuts, medieval even. She fell in love and married an atheist who loved her enough to get married in the Church. But he changed his mind when her clock started ticking and decided that kids would be a barrier to his life goals… Now she’s divorced, alone and nearing the end of her fertile years.
Them medieval folks were wiser than we superior moderns give them credit for!
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