Should a Catholic Marry a Non-Catholic?

Should a Catholic marry a non Catholic? What does the Church say about Catholics marrying Protestants or non believers? What challenges will couples of mixed faith have in their relationships?
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[@ForgeMondes]

I married an atheist. He was looking for answers and was very curious and open minded to join me and my parents on mass as a bonding moment. The priest that married us guided us through a full year of "couple school " were he made clear what were Church teaching about marriage and rising children, and though us a lot of strategies to nurture our love looking for God. My husband was open minded to follow this teachings because it was in sync with most of his values. As our marriage advanced, he grew in curiosity about the Bible and i prayed for him. One day he just told me he needed a confession. Its been 1 year since his confirmation (was baptized when he was a baby).

[@angelamcf6335]

Three lovely Catholic sisters got married. The first two married Catholic men, Mass on Sundays, etc. and the girls lives were hell on earth due to anger, temper tantrums and alcoholism. They suffered badly but remained true to their marriage vows. The third sister married a Protestant, who was/ is a kind,loving man. That was me! After fifty years of marriage our differences have never been a problem and I thank God daily for the wonderful ‘protestant’ I married!

[@mariemunzar6474]

That is good but this doesn't mean Catholic women should not marry Catholic men. It is only saying that you should be careful who you marry in general, and not tie the knot just because someone is Catholic. It is good for them to be Catholic, but that is not the only thing. They should also be loving and devoted to you, etc. Personally I'm not sure whether I would feel comfortable marrying a protestant, I would be open to it but would prefer a Catholic. Have dated a Catholic man in the past, he wasn't good for me and I learned a lot of lessons about what to look for. I did enjoy the Catholic side of him but not some other things about him. You have to be able to love and accept the whole person.

[@maryrankin9869]

You lucky duck!

[@gogogolyra1340]

Lesson learned: marry VIRTUOUS catholic men

[@foodmaniac9339]

So be a Catholic and marry a non Catholic? Then why be a Catholic if you can't even find a Catholic to marry. The whole idea of catholic marriage is to be united in one body and to bring up good catholic family.

[@zsedcftglkjh]

Sounds like your Catholic sisters looked for the wrong thing in a spouse.

[@lauradahlus]

Best to marry a (catholic) person striving for holiness... And you should be doing the same.. We already have enough challenges in life as it is.

[@delys754]

I love this video. Very helpful. The tone is focused on the loving perspective and the unity with one another. Which is what God desires and be loving to one another, regardless with backgrounds. And hopefully we'll all be united into one!

[@meharnosh]

Thank you so much of such a enlightening answer :)

[@Presbybaptisational]

Excellent thoughtful (and very helpful) response for a Protestant currently dating a Catholic and deeply considering these matters. Thank you!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're glad it was helpful; we love our Protestant brothers and sisters.

[@maryrankin9869]

Very well said. I married a non Catholic and in the end it did not work out for all the reasons said above. Many many challenges. I did raise my children Catholic by myself. No regrets and I still teach them as some do not attend mass.

[@marisol12424]

Wow... great lesson. Were you (being the Catholic) permitted to receive communion?

[@zsedcftglkjh]

You damaged your children.

[@johnisaacfelipe6357]

you yoked yourself with an non believer and therefore introduced great struggle to yourself and your children but you are strong, I just hoped your life was more peaceful as it was.

[@Gpacharlie]

A long intentional engagement might be helpful to work out most of the tensions and challenges. It could end up blessing everyone you meet no matter their denomination. And the Catholic in the relationship will learn much of catholicism’s teachings. Marrying a non Christian could be a bigger challenge though.

[@kennethprather9633]

My sister in law and her husband didn't have problems with it. She took communion at the Catholic Church and went to her Methodist Church. The boys were both Catholic and Methodist with no problems. When he was dying from MS we went to his Roman Catholic Church and took Communion. This was great for the family.

[@brucewmclaughlin9072]

The big question here is , should a believer marry a non believer . A born again Catholic marrying a born again Baptist ( just picking baptist as it is easy to spell ) is not a problem .An unbeliever marrying a believer can run into severe problems

[@leonanthony6879]

Thank you so much for sharing this.. Today morning only I prayed to Jesus because I'm really so much confused for my Current situation and this video is so related to my current situation and watching this video helped me to understand.. All I need to do is Trust God. 💕

[@Devonairereacts]

How did it turn out?!

[@timndichu]

We need an update

[@blixsnix792]

What if one or both work in ministry?

[@brien1513]

It may be my own wishful thinking but I do think that sometimes God brings a Catholic and non-catholic together so that the non-catholic may be converted eventuall. I wonder if there are any examples in the saints who married non-catholics and a conversion happened for the mon-catholic. I believe there are some.

[@ForgeMondes]

Present! ✋️

[@ruanfirefox]

Saint Augustine mother's, Saint Monica, converted her son and her husband to catholicism

[@johnisaacfelipe6357]

one of the greatest issues of the catholic church is the fact that children of catholic & non catholic parents often become non catholics or lukewarm catholics.

[@praizejesus5772]

What is someone Revered and their protestant spouse doesn't understand the Truth and beauty of Catholicism?

[@maryrankin9869]

Dont do it!

[@johnisaacfelipe6357]

if you already married them, you must stick to it for the sake of your children

[@gabylouu]

I am catholic and I married an atheist man. We are open-minded people, also being from different countries. He always accepted our kids being baptized, etc. But after 20 years of marriage he asked for a divorce. We were married in church. So now things are a bit tricky really. One never knows what can happen. Nor can you really control who you are falling in love with.

[@johnisaacfelipe6357]

you can actually control who you are falling in love with.

[@saharn6767]

How about a catholic and an orthodox?

[@ripvanwinkle1819]

Virtually identical in theology....the differences are ecclesiastical ( bishops etc) due to maybe more than one mishap in history...( the crusades). For practical purposes the same, unlike protestantism which is steeped in error/heresy.

[@gogogolyra1340]

Do orthodox submit to the pope?

[@lauradahlus]

DON'T DO IT! 😱

[@Chas1160]

I’m a Catholic and married to a Protestant. Yes, you can have a reasonable good relationship. However, you will have disagreements but must agree to disagree. Yes, expect problems but mutual respect is needed. It will be challenging when children are a part of the relationship. I think it’s important to raise the kids in one faith rather than switching back and forth. If partners do not respect each other, I doubt it will work in the long run.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for sharing your testimony!

[@anonymoususer450]

Nope, simple as that

[@Star-vm9oc]

This is what ostricizes people from the lord

[@ignaciop9850]

Naaah, it doesn't work. If God is the most important in your life, you should be able to share that joy with your partner. God bless our beautiful Catholic Church!

[@jule8280]

The Catholic Church is Satanic

[@jacqueslefave4296]

Actually, as a Baptist, I agree that we should not marry or even date. The two would be unequally yoked. This figure of speech refers to Old Testament Law, the Jews were not allowed to combine two different animals, such as a donkey and an ox, or a horse and a mule, together to pull a wagon or a plow, it was considered cruel to both because they could not work in tandem without confusion and pain. But I think that it also applies to those of both confessions to not have a genuine and dedicated believer marry a nominal or very lax member of either faith. I have seen the pain of both Catholics and Protestants, married to one nominally of the same faith, one dedicated, the other very tepid and/or nominal. I think that this is a far bigger problem. One difference, though, is I've heard of people that refer to themselves as "cradle Catholics," or "belly button Catholics" the difference is of course that we believe in the personal, deliberate, and conscious decision to follow Jesus Christ in a personal and mature, individual way. God has children, He does not have grandchildren. We also do not believe in baptismal regeneration, Baptism for us is the active obedience of a statement of Faith, without which it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. We don't sprinkle infants to keep them out of Limbo.

[@cdmcintyre1854]

That would put a real strain on a marriage. It would depend upon the couple what would happen. It could just stay a neutral situation or it could cause complications. I would be hard pressed to be neutral about Catholic beliefs. Definitely I am NOT Catholic, not gonna happen! I was raised Pentecostal until I was about 8-9 years old when Mom and her brother became SDA. After going to SDA Church School in the Basement of the Athens OH SDA Church I went Back to public school because of family $ issues. Later I attended Columbia Union College, (SDA College) one year. There’s no doubt in my opinion that SDA is fundamentally correct. The Bible distinctly states “the seventh day is the SABBATH of the Lord your God.” Sunday has always been the first day. Sunday also happens to be the day ancient Romans worshiped the “SUN” and Catholic Headquarters are in Rome where the Pope resides. Coincidence? I think NOT!

[@christiankennedy2212]

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2Cor 6:14. Remember King Solomon's end (in idolatry)! And by the way, ecumenism strictly services the agenda of Anti-Messiah!

[@alienoutcast6643]

He doesn't have the dream of a Swagert lol male thinking once he'd see Britney dance him and Bill Clinton on election day....

[@trevaperes5343]

As the Church says, those outside her are lost because there is no Salvation outside the Catholic faith and therefore 2 Corinthians 6:14 comes into play...." Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers for what fellowship has righteousness have with unrighteousness, and what communion has light with darkness" So therefore the answer is NO!

[@thegospelmessenger1corinth634]

We are all sinners and fall short in God his glory - how to be saved - this is the gospel of salvation - 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 1-4 by trusting and believing the gospel of salvation you are saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise till the day of redemption and nothing can pluck you out of the Father his hand - only by the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we can be washed and cleansed from all of our unrighteousness - eternal security is a free gift - it's a promise and God Almighty cannot lie!!! Have a blessed day! This is the gospel of salvation - 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 1-4 Witnesses of Christ's resurrection. 1) Moreover,brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2) ''By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Jesus' death was infinite and eternal in value, paying the full price for sin (1 John 2:2). God promises that anyone who believes in Jesus, trusting Him alone as the Savior, will not go to hell! IT IS FINISHED... Paid in Full !!! But, You Must BELIEVE IT - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV.

[@cwebbwash3]

so why is marriage to non-catholics and non-christians even allowed in the first place?

[@Wgaither1]

@@cwebbwash3 The church allows it, but the Bible forbids it. Stick with the Bible

[@cwebbwash3]

@@Wgaither1 what if the other person is baptized Catholic but non-practicing and non-believing?

[@lavmoral3184]

@@Wgaither1 the Catholic church compiled the Bible and you can have the church without the Bible. You can’t have the Bible without the church.

[@karlestocado3264]

One thing I know even when One is Catholic and One is Protestant (Baptist). Prayer is Powerfull, then let God write your story for you. And If will work, means Peace & Love are in the the relationship. And If will not work, then blessed to those who try to choose what is like in HEAVEN 🌸🐼. (Peace & Love). CHOOSE TO LOVED GOD! GOD (CHRIST) WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAY !!