Can a Catholic marry a non-Catholic, what are the rules or guidelines?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church allows marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics.

Because the Church recognizes the tremendous challenge that the interfaith couple will face, they may have to get permission from the bishop.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I see a lot of guesses so far but no real facts. I can only assume that most of the posters are non Catholics. The Truth of the matter is that a Non Catholic can marry a Catholic, just like with any other religion because in this case you are going outside the Church and they therefor have no control. The Churches position is to 1-Marry within your own faith and save yourself a lot of heresy problems since Catholicism is the one and only true religion and all others are Doomed to Hell unless they convert, or 2-The Non Catholic must convert. The Rub is that if you marry outside the Church 1-You cannot marry within the Church, 2- You will Not have the Churches blessing and your marriage will not be Blessed by God, and therefor you will go to Hell and your children will have no chance whatsoever of getting into Heaven. That folks is the Churches position. But you can do whatever you want obviously since the Church of today does not have the same power over peoples lives as it did many years ago. As to the poster who said that Catholics are laid back, boy are you wrong! Catholics are the most deeply entrenched in tradition of all the Christian Churches. The one thing that makes Catholics stand out above all is Tradition!

Answer 3

Are you now more confused than ever?

Catholics and non-Catholics can marry. That has always been true since the first century. If you are not Christian, then the Catholic partner will have obligations you will not have. In a sense, you will have greater freedom because you are not bound to Jesus. If you are Christian, then you of course have the same baptismal obligations.

You should visit a Catholic priest. He will tell you exactly what needs to occur. It isn't hard or painful. I married a non-Christian. The reality the priest will talk with you about is the reality of trying to live in two different world views. That is hard. It will make your marriage more difficult than a marriage between two Catholics or two Hindus or two Muslims. Of course, the wonder of the Universe is that we are not an homogenous group. So let this potential for harm to your marriage become a source of wonder, learning and joy.

Don't ask anyone on a Yahoo board about your marriage. Go find the people who know and the people who care.

Answer 4

Yes, but It will depend on the details. A Catholic can Marry a non-Catholic if both are free to Marry. (no prior marriages) Both must attend 6 months of pre-Marriage preparation. The non-Catholic must acknowledge the Catholics obligation to Baptize and raise any and all children in the Catholic faith, and agree not to interfere.

If the non-Catholic is Baptized only the Bishops permission is required. They must Marry in the Catholic Church, unless they receive permission to Marry in a non-Catholic Church. They must have a Catholic priest present. (or received permission not requiring this) If the person is not Baptized the Marriage is automatically invalid and must be dispensed or approved by the Bishop for it to be valid.

The non-Catholic is never required to convert to the Catholic Faith.

That should cover the basics.

Answer 5

You can marry whoever you want and still marry in a catholic church . . there are no rules or guidelines for this . . your marriage will be treated just the same as any other . . you will still attend the marriage classes and have the same ceremony . . the non catholic person will just not receive communion during the Mass . . speak to your parish priest about it to set everything up . . good luck

the only thing you have to worry about is if either of you were married before . . if either of you were married before, regardless of your divorce papers, you will need to obtain an annulment thru the diocese which can take up to two years . .

Answer 6

Yes, a catholic can marry a non-catholic. The non-catholic does not have to convert. Most of the time the only thing they have to do is agree to raise the children catholic.

Answer 7

Yes a non-catholic can marry a catholic. The only person who can tell you about the guidelines is the priest of the church you want to get married in. He has the final say in your wedding if you choose to get married in a catholic church.

Answer 8

It may depend on your parish or diocese. You should go talk to your local priest. Where I am, a Catholic can marry a non-Catholic, but the latter has to agree to raise the children Catholic in a Catholic home with support for education and sacraments, etc. In many, if not most, instances, if the non-C wants to have his/her own minister there participating in the ceremony, something can be worked out. You also need to do a lot of pre-marital counselling. Often the non-Catholic decides to convert, actually, for harmony of the family. But check out things in your local area...

Answer 9

I don't see a problem in it. My boyfriend isn't catholic nor do I plan on making him convert when and if we do get married. I don't think religion plays a big role where you can't make a relationship work based on the different religions. Plus just because you're catholic doesn't mean you have to get married in a catholic church either.

Answer 10

Yes, you will need to speak with the priest at the church you wish to be married in. In order to be considered the sacrament of marriage, (recognized in the church) then You are required to go to the pre-marital classes and counseling sessions. The non-catholic does not have to be converted. However, the catholic church still requires you to agree that the children of the marriage will be raised in the catholic church.