Can Catholics marry Christians

Answer 1

Your question implies that Catholics are not Christians, which is patently false. Catholicism is one of the oldest forms of Christianity. The word "catholic" simply means "universal." If you mean, can a protestant Christian pastor marry a Catholic Christian, the answer is yes. Protestant Christian pastors can marry anyone they choose. However, if they choose to marry a Catholic it may adversely affect their vocation, depending on the denomination with which they are affiliated. For example, a pastor associated with a liberal Lutheran body would probably face fewer issues if he/she weds a Catholic than a Southern Baptist minister.

Answer 2

Catholics are Christians. They must receive a dispensation to marry non-Catholic Christians. There are issues concerning upbringing of children, but these can be resolved. In some places the Catholic Church requires the non-Catholic party to convert in order to be married in a Catholic church. In some parts of the world it can be necessary - if the non-Catholic party prefers not to convert or agree to the terms of the marriage dispensation - to marry in a neutral church such as a Wesleyan church, or to wed in a civil ceremony. However, in such cases, the Catholic Church will not recognize the marriage if the Catholic party has agreed to the above proceeding.

Answer 3

I am a non-Catholic Christian who married a Catholic. The Catholic Church wanted us to take classes but did not require me to convert. Different churches have their own views on this and depending on the Priest it is possible. My husband and I chose not to get married in the Catholic Church, but that was by our own choice. The Church ordinarily wishes its members to only enter into marriage with someone of the same faith, as they can then help each other persevere in their religion, rear children together with the same ideals, morals and beliefs and ultimately attain heaven through their familial love and duties.

The Catholic Church will only allow its members to contract marriage with someone of a different Christian faith when the parish priest of the Catholic party judges that it is better to approve the marriage than risk leaving the couple in a situation where they may be tempted to engage in intimate relations outside of wedlock or a refusal may alienate them from the Church which provides sacraments and graces necessary for salvation. Human emotion is obviously very high at this point and the situation is very delicate; the priest must make a judgment based on the characters of the individuals and the circumstances surrounding them.

If the priest grants a dispensation, all the other usual impediments to a union must be reviewed. As well, the non-Catholic party must agree to rear the children in the Catholic faith, or at least allow them to be so. Further, the marriage must be presided over by a Catholic priest in a Catholic Church. If all these conditions are met, then a marriage can be contracted, though since it is a mixed marriage it will not receive the sacrament marriage blessing, and it may have certain restrictions as to its public celebration.

Answer 4

Yes a Christian can marry a Catholic but it is not advised as the non Catholic must consent to raise the children in the Catholic Faith. The marriage must also be conducted within the Catholic Church and if both parties are committed to their faiths there shall be problems within the relationship as to the religious upbringing of their children. It is best to marry within the Faith.

Answer 5

No, a Catholic may not marry someone who is not a Catholic. In extreme cases, when a priest judges it necessary in order that the Catholic party's Faith not be lost, the Church may grant a dispensation for the marriage to take place, although in modern times this dispensation is sometimes granted with surprisingly leniency. The non-Catholic must at least have been validly baptized at some point, as the Catholic is obliged to contract a sacramental marriage. Even so, because of the non-Catholic's absence of the Faith, the sacramental blessing must be withheld as it is reserved for the proper administration of the sacrament, which is between two Catholics. As well, the non-Catholic party must agree not to interfere with the Catholic party's duty and devotions to his/her Faith and must grant that any children they may have are to be reared as Catholics.

The above may sound harsh, but this is because the Church discourages and disapproves of mixed marriages. Not only do they have the potential to hurt the Faith of the Catholic party, they may cause scandal and confusion to the children who see this disunity between their parents in religious matters. This example may cause the children to despise religion or to become indifferent towards it. As well the marriage is liable to discord as the two spouses have different core values and beliefs in their hearts which therefore cannot perfectly unite in the rearing of children and unite in love. Usually, one party compromises to the detriment of their own Faith or discord in the home results.

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Catholic AnswerNormally a Catholic is forbidden to marry outside the faith. For a "mixed marriage" as you describe, you need to have permission from your Bishop. You would need to speak with your pastor and discuss your reasons for doing this. If you have good enough reasons - which should be very good, then the non-Catholic can apply for the permission you need if the two of you go through pre-Cana classes, and are showing good faith. You need to be sure that you can live your faith and raise the children in the faith. As one man I used to work with used to say, "you're going to be dead for a long time." Although I wouldn't use his phrasing, the point is that you are only on earth for a short period of time. The reason God put you on earth is to serve Him and to prepare yourself to enter heaven. In other words, the reason you would marry a non-Catholic is that you somehow discern that it is God's Will for you do so, and that in doing so, you will be furthering the chances of your eternal salvation AND his or hers. Remember, marriage means that you are responsible for helping your spouse attain heaven, as well as working out your own salvation. My personal advice is to take this very slowly. Take a year or more to make sure that your faith is firmly established, and to get to know this person better so that you are absolutely positive that you are not endangering your soul, or your childrens' souls. Any person that is worthwhile and really loves a Catholic person should be more than willing to genuinely convert and then the two of you would be working together towards the same end.

from The Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition, English translation 1994

1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic) often arises. It requires particular attention on the part of couples and their pastors. A Case of marriage with disparity of cult (between a Catholic and a non-baptized person) requires even greater circumspection.

1634 Difference of confession between the spouses does not constitute an insurmountable obstacle for marriage, when they succeed in placing in common what they have received from their respective communities, and learn from each other the way in which each lives in fidelity to Christ. But the difficulties of mixed marriages must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home. Disparity of cult can further aggravate these difficulties. Differences about faith and the very notion of marriage, but also different religious mentalities, can become sources of tension in marriage, especially as regards the education of children. The temptation to religious indifference can then arise.

1635 According to the law in force in the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs for liceity the express permission of ecclesiastical authority. (Cf. CIC, can. 1124) In case of disparity of cult an express dispensation from this impediment is required for the validity of the marriage. (Cf. CIC, can. 1086.) This permission or dispensation presupposes that both parties know and do not exclude essentials ends and properties of marriage; and furthermore that the Catholic party confirms the obligations, which have been made known to the non-Catholic party, of preserving his or her own faith and ensuring the baptism and education of the children in the Catholic Church. (Cf. CIC, can 1125)

Note: In other words, you need to speak with your pastor right away, if he approves of the marriage, he will seek the appropriate dispensations from the Bishop.

AnswerYes, of course they can as long as they get married in a Catholic church and the children are Catholic...

Nota Bene: The above is presuming that the non-Catholic party is at least baptized and that a dispensation has been secured from the Catholic Church for the Catholic party in order that the marriage can go forward.

A Catholic can marry a non-Catholic, but only under these 3 conditions:

1) The Catholic spouse can practice their faith freely.

2) The children produced by that marriage will be raised Catholic.

3) The Catholic spouse must try to convert the non-Catholic spouse.

Answer 6

Your question implies that Catholics are not Christians, which is patently false. Catholicism is one of the oldest forms of Christianity. The word "catholic" simply means "universal." If you mean, can a protestant Christian pastor marry a Catholic Christian, the answer is yes. Protestant Christian pastors can marry anyone they choose. However, if they choose to marry a Catholic it may adversely affect their vocation, depending on the denomination with which they are affiliated. For example, a pastor associated with a liberal Lutheran body would probably face fewer issues if he/she weds a Catholic than a Southern Baptist minister.

Answer 7

That is like asking why do the Catholics have more books in The Bible then Protestants. The question should be why did the Protestants take books out of the bible and alter the scriptures? Likewise, your question should be, can a Christian(Catholic) date a non-christian. And the answer would be, Yes, and that individual is save through the spouse that is the Christian(Catholic).

And let us not forget that Catholics ARE Christians. In fact, Catholics were the original Christians.
They can. Both are Christians.
Just as a quick tweak to the question, Catholics are Christians, so every time you see a couple of Catholics you see a Christian dating a Catholic. We can safely assume, however, that the question refers to Protestant Christians. The rule of thumb is that they can. The Church does not prohibit it, but in her wisdom does warn that this is extremely difficult. Christian dating is oriented towards marriage, and in a mixed marriage (a marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian) this is bound to create conflicts, particularly where the raising of children is concerned. This is compounded by the fact that the Catholic has to officially make a promise (which the non-Catholic spouse must know about and accept) to raise the Children in the Catholic faith.

So, to answer the question more directly: they can, but it is not recommended for practical reasons.