Why can't someone from a Bulgarian Orthodox Church marry a Catholic?

Question

I'm in love with someone from Bulgaria, he is Orthodox and i'm Catholic. I want to marry him but he said it would be difficult because it's not allowed. We love eachother, i love him so much that i'm willing to change my religion to United Church so i can be with him always.

Answer 1

There is no Catholic reason why you could not be married in the Catholic Church.

I don't know the rules of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Talk to your local parish priests, both Catholic and Bulgarian Orthodox.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I don't think your boyfriend is correct in saying that a Catholic and an Orthodox cannot marry each other.

This seems strange, given that Catholics and Orthodox can go to each other's Masses and even receive Communion at each other's Masses.

Catholics can marry people of other faiths that are less similar to Catholicism than Orthodox Christianity is -- Protestants, Jews, etc.

So, I seriously doubt that you cannot marry your boyfriend if he's Orthodox.

Do NOT leave the Catholic Church under the assumption that you cannot marry this man due to your religions. That's not a good reason for converting to another religion, for one thing. Besides, I doubt it's even necessary.

Check with your priest. I'm confident that he will tell you that there's no ecclesiastical impediment to your marrying a member of one of the Orthodox churches.

Again, this seems strange given that Orthodox and Catholic religious beliefs are virtually identical, and that we can receive the sacraments from each other's priests.

Answer 3

Roman Catholics cannot receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church nor are Orthodox Christians permitted to receive Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church. It is permitted, depending on which local Orthodox Church, under certain quidelines for a Roman Catholic to marry an Orthodox Christian in the Orthodox Church. From the view of the Orthodox Church, it is the Roman Catholic Church that is in schism and even heresy and has divided the unity of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Holy Communion is a sign of our unity in the Body of Christ and with each other in the confession of the Orthodox Faith. Those who have not maintainted that unity should not be receiving the Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church.

Answer 4

Here. Go here, print this out and have a good discussion with your boyfriend and your priest and his priest.
It is a joint statement from the Orthodox Churches in America.
http://www.scoba.us/resources/marriages.asp
a pastoral statement on
orthodox/roman catholic marriages

Your boyfriend is incorrect in saying that an Orthodox cannot marry a Catholic. This can happen, but it can be a great difficulty both because the Old Soviet Bloc countries have a hostility to the West and there is a hostility towards Rome in some Orthodox groups (especialy amongst the older generations).

Let me be very clear when I say that you need to seek advice from priests (as well as offical Catholic/Orthodox positions) in this matter because there can be a lot of bad information floating around. Listen to them (Stay Catholic too!).

God bless and good luck!

Answer 5

Because of the split in the Catholic Church in 451 and 1054 dividing the Catholic and Orthadox Churches. In order to marry him you will have to convert to Orthodox

Answer 6

If you two love each other, orthodox to catholic shouldn't be such a huge boundary...

why can't a bulgarian orthodox church marry a catholic?

Answer 7

Thats just Bulgar.

OOps , I mean vulgar.