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Re: Atheist dating a Roman Catholic. hmmn. - September 25th 2010, 07:26 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by ~Emily~ View Post
Well, according to the Catholic Church, you cannot have a Catholic wedding unless one party is a baptized, confirmed Catholic, and the other party is at least be a baptized Christian (can be any denomination, as long as they're Christian). So, on that front, you really can't have a Catholic wedding.
In the case of non-Christians the priest is permitted to grant a dispensation, and most priests I have encountered are content to do so provided both parties are aware of the requirements of Catholic marriage and consent to them. My cousin is also a Catholic and she married a Buddhist, yet the wedding was conducted following the Catholic rite in a Catholic church. The Catechism advises caution on such marriages owing to potential conflicts between partners on religious grounds, but there's no longer an explicit ban. That went out with Vatican II if memory serves correctly. To quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by The Catechism of the Catholic Church
1633 In many countries the situation of a mixed marriage (marriage between a Catholic and a baptised 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 non-baptised 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 that 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.
It's not exactly a glowing endorsement I admit, but neither it is "no chance mate" anymore.

On the technically-baptised-but-atheist point, again I know of one atheist who married a Catholic on similar grounds so that in itself isn't a hurdle either. Ultimately it all comes down to what you want from your marriage and whether the Catholic approach is suitable for you.


"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

However bleak things seem, however insurmountable the darkness appears, remember that you have worth and nothing can take that away.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OMFG!You'reActuallySmart! View Post
If you're referring to dr2005's response, it's not complex, however, he has a way with words .
RIP Nick