Possible Conversion due to Marriage

[Irishmom2]

I know God put him in my life for a reason and I truly believe that reason is marriage.

God may have indeed put him in your life for a reason— but it may be for you to return to Catholicism and marry someone else. I know that isn’t the answer you wanted to hear, but it happens. I am sure you think your boyfriend is meant to be, but it could be that God is calling you to learn more about the Church and return to Catholicism, whether you remain with your boyfriend or not.

Since you say that you are both very strong Christians, I would think it would be important to you to find some answers. You say your family is “hardcore” Catholic. Not sure what you mean by that, but it is a resource you have right in your own family. Go to mass with them. Ask them to explain whatever it is you don’t understand. Talk to them about why they remain Catholic and haven’t drifted away.

 

[TC3033]

Jesus gave us his Body and Blood in the Blessed Sacrament and scripture says Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of God and drink his Blood, you have no life within you.
Are you ready to go forward in life married to a person who will fight you on this?

Honest question…why do they need to fight? My wife and I have been together for nearly 20 years and married for 15 of it and we haven’t fought about this…like even once…never close.

Jesus gave us the sacrament of Reconciliation so when we sin, the merits of His death on the cross is applied to us so that we can again come into God’s friendship. Jesus set this up as the ordinary means of saving grace to the world.
Are you ready to go forward in life married to a person who will fight you on this?

Same response as above.

When you marry a believing Catholic and your children see a man who goes to confession, a man that kneels in church and goes up with reverence to receive the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist, you are giving them a wonderful example and gift. That is true gold in this world. The pearl of great price.

Maybe it’s just me, but I find this a bit uncharitable to those who are in “mixed” marriages. It sounds as if you feel the Catholic (my wife in my situation) “settled” and that I’m somehow a lesser father because I’m not Catholic…unless you prescribe to that belief.

 

[TheLittleLady]

TC is the #2 of the three online friends I know in happy, working mixed marriages

 

[TC3033]

My wife chose me, as a non-Catholic, and that turned into 15 years of marriage (and counting) and 3 great boys. I don’t think for 1 second she turned her back on Him… and I think my wife is pretty happy

Why would you say that OP would be turning her back on Him and the Catholic Church? It certainly isn’t the teaching of the church when it comes to Catholic/non-Catholic marriages.

 

[Dan_Defender]

the Catholic church is “technically correct,”

This statement shows you need to educate yourself about your faith. We have Christ in common with Protestant churches but there are two main doctrines that they have which separate us: ‘only the faith’ and ‘only the Bible’. At a minimum, you need to learn about them and what the Catholic Church says and it will strengthen your faith. The other thing to know is that all Christians believed the same things until the 16th century when Protestantism started. Knowing that should give you confidence.

 

[OKComputer]

I’ve been married three times so I’m either really bad at giving relationship advice or really good at it. You might believe different things as you get older. If you both value love more than your religious views you might be able to find a way to make it work.

 

[TC3033]

Why would you say that OP would be turning her back on Him and the Catholic Church?

I didn’t.

We must be deciphering this line differently then…

God might have put this man in your life now to see you choose Him and His Church over your own desires.

Also:

If you’re dating a non-Catholic, then why would you tell another peer that they would be happier marrying a Catholic…?

 

[Dan_Defender]

Not in the scale of Protestantism. The East-West split was not due to doctrine.

 

[Lenten_ashes]

I don’t presume to speak on behalf of God…but you say he put this man in your life for a reason. Perhaps that reason is, at least in part, to really unpack the Catholic faith and learn it inside and out. In this day and age of information, you can get a real education on any subject matter and all you need is a computer and internet connection.

The Catholic faith is 2,000 yrs old and it’s a ton to learn. You could even start by signing up for RCIA. It may sound insulting and/or foolish but I am alarmed by the number of Catholics out there who do not know the basics of the faith. And you will learn that in RCIA. BTW, your significant other could attend as well and there is ZERO pressure to ever convert. The two of you could learn together.

Many couples here at CA and one’s I know in person are Catholic/Protestant mix and they work out just fine. He attends her protestant service and she attends Mass and vice versa. They do it out of respect and love for one another.

Best wishes.

 

[RomanChristian]

I would like to add to this topic on a mix marriage that in the Orthodox Christian Church teaches that a marriage to a non-Orthodox Christian has to take place in an Orthodox Church. The wife is not required to convert but it would be better to do so even if she is Catholic for the sake of the family. Now for Children, they would have to be baptized in the Orthodox Christian there is no wiggle room here no reason to be outside the Church. The Catholic Church would have no choice in this what so ever when it comes to this kind of mix-marriage of this kind.

 

[EugeneCharles]

Greetings of peace!
I love your story and no one can say bad because our Lord is the God of love.We are glad for you and your boyfriend.We wish some day that you can convert him to Catholic Church and you can give a Catholic education with your future child.Please always connect your heart to the church.

 

[Xarto]

I don’t know anything about the Church of Christ but I do know that the Catholic Church isn’t a denomination or branch of any other church, it was founded by Jesus through the apostles. I don’t want to get all preachy so just say maybe this is a good opportunity to learn more about your faith?

As others have said if he cannot respect your faith maybe you need the re-evaluate your relationship. What other things might he not respect? Maybe you should research the CoC and see what they are like?