I am a protestant and know or understand very little about catholic dogma. My boyfriend and his family are catholic and it is important to them that our wedding be recognized by the catholic church and God. He mentioned that I would have to be "baptized catholic," but I was baptized at my church when I was young, so I don't understand why I need a second baptism. Can anyone explain what must be done for the catholic church to honor our wedding as holy and acceptable? It's not that I'm unwilling to convert to catholocism, I just don't know what that exactly is going to mean for me.
2006-06-27 11:36:03 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I can agree to all the things that Liet Kynes said. well what I don't agree with, my boyfriend (fiance) doesn't agree with either even though he is catholic. Thanks for your help.
2006-06-28 12:27:23 · update #1
You do not have to be baptised a Catholic to marry a Catholic, you just need a dispensation of cult from the local bishop, very easy to do if you are Christian.
I highly recommend that you sit down and read the book of Ruth and the Song of Songs (Canticle of Canticles) right away.
You will however,
1. Have to go through Catholic marriage prep.
2. Be willing to practice the Catholic understanding of marital relations (ie no condoms).
3. Be open to having children when God gives them to you.
4. Understand and accept that the marriage lasts until the death of the spouse (no divorcing and remarrying while the spouse lives).
5. Promise to not try to convert your spouse away from Catholicism.
6. Promise to not impede in any way your spouse's obligations to the Catholic Faith and the growth of their spiritual life.
7. Promise to have your children baptized within a few weeks of their birth.
8. Promise to raise your children in and ONLY IN the Catholic Faith.
9. Promise to not impede in any way your children's obligations to the Catholic Faith and the growth of their spiritual life.
As a note, essentially you would be marrying into the Catholic Faith. Mixed faith marriages can be tricky especially if one of the spouse is more into their faith than the other. Do not be surprised if the religious differences become more pronounced over time. It might not be important now, but after children enter into the picture and raising them Catholic becomes a reality, it can get rough.
There are other issues but the priest through marriage prep will deal with them.
A NOTE: If your local priest doesn't go through the above numbered steps during the marriage prep, he is not up on his duties and it would be benefitual to locate a better priest. At the time of marriage, not believing in those things brings into question the validity of the marriage especially if one, either openly or in secret intends to do directly the opposite.
To learn more about the catholic faith at a very easy level please see
http://www.scripturecatholic.com
http://www.catholic.com
If you want something more advanced (but not by much) try
Encyclopedia of Catholic Doctrien by Shaw
Church History by Laux
The Founding of Christendom by Carroll
2006-06-28 11:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well being baptized would mean you were on the road to conversion (RCIA) and most likely that the baptism you had a youth wasn't from a recognized Protestant faith that does it similarly as the Catholics do Anglican, Methodist, Episcopal, Luthern,etc. Church churches that also believe in The Trinity. Different methods of baptism are out there and may not recognize that aspect and thus so not be seen as valid. There is a wide variation in Christain beliefs. I think what you are talking about is the process of conversion and a sacramental marriage, one sacrament is baptism. Marriage as a sacrament is a spiritual union between the two and God. I'll let others answer more so with more knowledge. If it troubles you have you considered having your wedding\marriage blessed by the church? I think there are different requirements for that. check out www.catholic.com perhaps more info
2006-06-27 18:47:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may marry a Catholic and keep your faith, however you have to agree to raise the children Catholic. There is no reason why you should have to convert. If you do choose to convert to Catholicism, you will need to take RIte of Christian Initiation for Adults, which will culminate in a baptism. You also will need to take Pre-Cana or marriage counseling from a Catholic Priest. Good luck and God bless.
2006-06-27 18:47:26 · answer #3 · answered by Out $1000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will tell you one thing, if you get married by a justice of the peace, and then get a divorce, the catholic church considers you still married unless you pay for an annullment.
You connect the dots on that on, either will recognize all weddings or they just want money.
Why don't you call up the priest and ask,
2006-06-27 18:42:28 · answer #4 · answered by starting over 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RCIA is a class you can take ...go to any catholic church.
2006-06-27 18:40:12 · answer #5 · answered by writer1055 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe you have to do your first community.
2006-06-27 18:40:34 · answer #6 · answered by latina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋