Can a Catholic marry a Jew?

Answer 1

Legally, yes. Religiously, a little more complex. It depends on what the families of these people think. Another thing to consider when marrying across religions is how will the children be raised - Jewish or Catholic? It also depends on whether the newly-weds-to-be would like some kind of religious part in the service. So the planning for the ceremony itself needs to be taken into consideration - how will both religions be celebrated if this is what is wanted? Perhaps another point to bring up with families. I know from experience that in order to marry a non-Catholic inside a Catholic church, the catholic one of the couple has to sign a special form saying that you will endeavour to raise any children within the Catholic faith. I'm not sure though what happens within a Jewish church. I would assume that the same form will apply if it is a catholic service outside of the church.

Answer 2

Legally yes. Marriage is a legal contract according to governments etc etc

Religiously its a little trickier. Marriage is a sacrament and a covenant.

It is hard to answer a question like this without the right information. If you talk to your family, fiance and church leaders, you would get your answer and it would fit the situation you are in: Which church - Jewish or catholic? What does the priest/rabbi say? What does your families think? How will both religions be expressed and celebrated if this is how you wish to wed? How important is inclusion of religion within the ceremony? What faith will children be brought up in (this is the part that the churches are concerned about when granting permission for inter-faith marriage ceremony IN a church)?

There are ways to wed people from other faiths IN a church. In a catholic church wedding the priest will give you a form to fill in and sign saying that you intend to bring up any children in the catholic faith. This is necessary to be able to wed someone of another faith. There are also courses you and your fiance need to go to before you are allowed to wed in a catholic church.

Time for you to do some talking to church leaders, families and your fiance.

Answer 3

Absolutely! In fact I know of a couple that was like this, and the Jewish man ended up converting to Catholicism about two or three years into the marriage. It happened through divine inspiration in a spontaneous and instant moment while holding their infant son one day at home. Mixed marriages of Catholic / non-Catholic have happened millions of times. In fact, I myself am a Catholic who is marrying a non-Catholic. The Jewish man must be willing to have the marriage sacrament administered by the Catholic church since the girl has a moral obligation to do so. If the couple would like a Jewish ceremony, both can be arranged. All the Catholic church would require is two independent witnesses - it doesn't have to be in front of a hundred people. The best advice I can give you is to with your priest or deacon long ahead of the marriage time and explain the situation. And - don't worry - its been done before and will continue to happen for many years to come. God bless you in your marriage to come.

Answer 4

Catholicism is based on Christian faith which is based upon the Hebrew old and new testaments. The Judaism is based upon the Hebrew teachings of the Old Testament. Its basically are representation of the separation of the tribes of Israel, who will be later re-assembled.

You will have some difficulties getting through the difference in belief however as the devout of Judaism do not believe that Christ was the Messiah. They continue to follow the old Hebrew institution as if Christ was not messiah, but simply another prophet. You will have to reconcile that issue because it could become a core failure in our marriage.

Correct Catholic Answer:

A Catholic may marry a Jew but the Catholic Church will require that the children be raised as Catholics.