What happens to the Faith?

[AMDGtoo]

The Church is more ecumenical now. This is particularly true in regards to the Sacrament of marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics.

In the “old times”, Catholic to Catholic weddings were big affairs held in the Church while Catholic to non-Catholic weddings clearly showed that something was amiss. They were not pretending to be something that they weren’t. They recognized that the marriage would not have the unity that Catholic to Catholic marriages had. (Catholic to non-Catholic weddings were small or held in the rectory.) The non-Catholic also had to sign written papers promising to raise the children Catholic.

Well now, Catholic to non-Catholic weddings can be held in the Church (and be as fancy as can be). There is no reminder that things aren’t as they should be–that there will not be complete unity. And the Catholic is the one who promises to do all he can to raise the children in the Faith. (It seems that it’s conveniently forgotten that marriage for Catholics is “til death do we part” while for the non-Catholic it may be just a contract that can be broken.)

Well, what if the non-Catholic simply decides “I married you (the Catholic party) and not your religion and I don’t care about your promises. There’s no way that I am going to raise My to be Catholic!” Well, marriage for a Catholic is a Sacrament, it’s forever, but it isn’t so for the non-Catholic. The Catholic party seems caught. What happens to the Faith–the children’s and the Catholic party’s? Isn’t this a recipe for disaster?

 

[SMHW]

The Church is more ecumenical now. This is particularly true in regards to the Sacrament of marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics.
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Isn’t this a recipe for disaster?

I think calling it a recipe for disaster is going a bit far. But I think it’s a commentary on the the lack of understanding most people have about marriage and the raising of children that they don’t recognize the importance of sharing both a common faith and common practices.

Well, marriage for a Catholic is a Sacrament, it’s forever, but it isn’t so for the non-Catholic.

Well, if the non-Catholic is a baptized Christian then it is a sacrament for both. If the non-Catholic is not baptized then marriage is a sacrament for neither. But I think your point is about the perception of marriage rather than the deeper reality. Probably true. But at least the sacramental graces are there when it is a sacramental marriage.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

My diocese requires 6 to 9 months of marriage preparation, the non-catholic is completely aware of the promises the Catholic party makes, the wedding isn’t at a nuptial mass. If the couple are willing to go through the marriage prep, we can only hope that the faith and the marriage is important. I see that about half of our RCIA candidates have been married to a Catholic for several years. Hopefully the outlook isn’t entirely bleak.

 

[Cathryn]

The Faith can grow under these conditions. In my case, I married a Christian, non-Catholic in the Church, and he converted a few years later. We have been happily married for 16 years now. He is a very devout and actively involved Catholic. I think the Church made a wise decision in the changes it made regarding Catholic to non-Catholic marriages. This is a good way for the Church to grow.

 

[1ke]

Yes, it is a recipe for disaster.

I personally think it’s a mistake. I do not think that mixed marriage should not be allowed at all.