Marriage-related question

[Mothy]

Hi. I’m new, with a question.

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for two years; we’re long-distance and will be for at least another year, then we’ll be closer and in a better position to consider our long-term future together, with a view to potential marriage. I’m relatively new to Catholicism - been Catholic less than two years - whereas boyfriend was Catholic from birth.

Okay, so, the question… I have an anxiety disorder. And someone told me that most likely the church will refuse to marry us because of this. Then, someone else told me that wasn’t true. And now, I’m stressing out over the whole thing…

I tried to look this up in my Catechism, but I couldn’t find it… I know I can ask my priest… but… I’d like to get a rough idea if anyone had any experience with this beforehand.

 

[kamaan]

Are you saying that you were told you can’t get married because of your anxiety disorder?

That is most certainly **not **correct!

 

[revert_jen]

Are you saying that you were told you can’t get married because of your anxiety disorder?

That is most certainly **not **correct!

Ditto. Not correct.

If you are truly worried about it, I think it would be best to have a talk about it with the priest at your parish. I’m sure he can help.

God bless you!

–Jen

 

[Charlotte1776]

I have an anxiety disorder too and I still got married. I think psychological disorders only prevent you from marrying if they are serious enough to impair your ability to understand what marriage is and to freely accept it. For instance, people with narcisistic personality disorders can’t empathize with other people and as a result are completely me-centered. They do not understand that other people are thinking, feeling human beings like they are. They are more like objects to them. They can’t enter a marriage where two people are supposed to be partners in life and make sacrifices for eachother because they simply cannot understand what that means.

 

[1ke]

Hi. I’m new, with a question.

I’ve been dating my boyfriend for two years; we’re long-distance and will be for at least another year, then we’ll be closer and in a better position to consider our long-term future together, with a view to potential marriage. I’m relatively new to Catholicism - been Catholic less than two years - whereas boyfriend was Catholic from birth.

Okay, so, the question… I have an anxiety disorder. And someone told me that most likely the church will refuse to marry us because of this. Then, someone else told me that wasn’t true. And now, I’m stressing out over the whole thing…

I tried to look this up in my Catechism, but I couldn’t find it… I know I can ask my priest… but… I’d like to get a rough idea if anyone had any experience with this beforehand.

You have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety comes from uncertainty. You will continue to have uncertainty by asking this question on the internet where anyone and everyone can pipe in with their opinion.

Opinions are not what you need. You need facts. And, the fact is that you must discuss YOUR particular situation with a priest qualified to discuss this with you.

In general, to enter a valid marriage one must not have an impediment that prevents you from being able to understand the obligations and essential properties of marriage and that does not inhibit your ability to give consent, form intent, and make vows.

Some psychological disorders present an impediment. Others do not.

Go talk about your situation with a priest, not on the internet. No one here is qualified or knows enough about you to know your situation, how you manage your condition, what you are capable of and what you are not.

I would think that, generally speaking, someone with anxiety disorder could form the proper intent and give free and full consent, but again I think the specifics of your situation must be made known to a priest.