I guess the answer to your question is yes and no. This varies with the priest. I would say it is normally discouraged but not prohibited for a non-Catholic to marry a Catholic. My personal opinion is somewhat in line with yours. I would say that it is better to share a common faith whatever that might be. I think whatever faith the couple choose, they should practice their faith. I would say it is better to be a “good Baptist” than a " bad Catholic" or be a “Good Catholic” than a “bad Baptist”. Someone entering a faith and not having a sincere or committed devotion would not be in anyone’s best interest.
When someone is not a Catholic and marries a Catholic, a Mass is typically not said at the wedding as it would be if two Catholics were getting married. In an inter-faith marriage the non-Catholic is asked to agree to raising any children in the Catholic faith (I believe this is still done).
Inter-faith marriages can work, and I have seen some that do succeed. However, I think there are many challenges that present themselves. I think the most difficulty is in regard to children and deciding under what faith they will be raised. I know some families attend both churches, but that requires a significant commitment and cooperation for the parents.
I was not born Catholic. I grew up attending 2 different fundamentalist churches. I was in the process of taking instruction in the Catholic faith when I was married, and later became Catholic. I didn’t jump into this conversion without a great deal of research (most converts are required to take instruction for about a year before being accepted into the church). We have raised all our children in the Catholic faith and so far all those married or commited to be married have chosen Catholics.
There can also be issues with in-laws and the persons own parents and siblings. I was very fortunate in that both my in-laws and parents acceped my decisions.
Hope this helps.
Thank you for the reply, its appreciated.
Please notice I did say I discourage marrying outside of our faith, I do not telling that person not to marry someone of another faith. I would also go thru the Bible pointing out why I feel this way given the opportunity. I suppose there be some leaders in all faiths that tries to be a dictator to all their members, I know we have some Baptist pastors who act more dictator instead of shepherd, that I dislike. Jesus nor His called 12 never seem to act like dictators, and the invitations always seems to be, freely follow Jesus.
Like you I know people who got married outside of their faith, that has, or at least seem to have great marriages. If people get married outside of their faith and they have a great marriage, that’s great. But still its not the example God’s children ought to follow.
Our Father in heaven is somewhat like our earthly father who set bounds for us, not because he is withholding something good from us, but because he loves us and wants to keep us safe. With God the Father, if we stay within the bounds he has set, we will usually have a lot less troubles. Just as one old song says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
I might add, even though like my friend I did not attend classes to learn about Catholics as my roommate did. I did read every book he brought to our room and it seems the one teaching that class wanted him to read many books. At that time I was in the Air Force, he and I were roommates. Actually I think I was really the only one to read those books cover to cover.
And your right, for many who marry outside of their faith it bring much trouble to the table, all types of family
You do understand there is one God served, don’t you? Catholics don’t own God to themselves. There are many non Catholics serving God’s children in many ways… And to suggest otheiwise is simply untrue. 