I am Catholic and my almost fiancee is Methodist.....?

Question

she doesn't want to get married in a Catholic church but I need to receive the sacrament of marrige. What can I do??

Thanks!!

Answer 1

if she doesn't want to get married in the catholic church then you have a problem.

make an appointment with your parish priest for all three of you to have a sit down talk. maybe she has some questions that your priest can answer....

maybe she wants her pastor to be included in the ceremony and your priest can address these issues.

good luck and best wishes to the both of you!

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: Is your fiancee a seriously practising Methodist? I ask this because out of all the Protestant denominations she might have a highly developed understanding of holiness if so this could be helpful to you. Catholicism teaches much on holiness and I advise you get her to watch or listen to EWTN.

She needs to understand that she doesn't have to convert and yes you are correct you must as a Catholic be married by a priest to receive a valid sacramental marriage and receive God's blessing. I might be fishing in the dark here but it sounds like there is more than meets the eye with your fiancee and perhaps she is harbouring an aversion to Catholicism in general and this will be a greater threat to your marriage an relationship unless you straighten it out right now.
Many Protestants hold large misconceptions on Catholicism so I suggest you start to learn your faith and study apologistics
email me if you like and I could recommend some very good source material.

For now contact a Catholic priest and remember not all of them are specialists on your particular situation, ask for diocean experts who might offer even greater help such as a theologian, canonal lawyer, the bishop himself.

Finally make use of the ewtn audio library free online do a search for the Journey Home program which has the personal stories of many Methodist converts.
BTW this weeks show had a roundtable panel of Methodist ministers who became Catholics very good show it should be repeated this weekend look for it. They will describe their many misconceptions of Catholic prior to becoming Catholic

Answer 3

This is why the Bible advises you to not marry someone with different beliefs. You're already seeing the first of many disagreements on important matters. The Bible calls it unequally yoked. In your case, it isn't even a matter of right and wrong, but simply different beliefs. Two oxen pulling on the same yoke, but in different directions. This is a big problem.
I would ask yourself, where in the Bible does it say that you must be married in a Catholic church and receive this sacrament. I don't know what that is, I am a Christian. If it isn't a matter of Biblical mandate, do you really need it, or is this girl worth enough to you to go against your church's man made tradition?

Answer 4

If you know that she is the one and she refuses to get married in the Catholic Church, you are allowed to marry somewhere else so long as you have a priest confirm the marriage for you. This can be done in his office.

Also, you do not need the sacrament of marriage. That sacrament is reserved only for those called to receive it. Priests and many laypeople remain single for their entire lives.

Finally, to the person who said that a Catholic Church will not marry you unless the non-Catholic converts: I'm living proof that you have been misinformed. I was Baptist when I married my Catholic wife in the Catholic Church. Subsequently, I converted to Catholicism after I studied it for myself.

edit: km--When I married my wife, a mass was celebrated. I was just unable to receive Holy Eucharist for the obvious fact that I wasn't Catholic.

Answer 5

Your marriage will not last if it's not built on the same foundation.

I grew up Catholic and it's all "religion" that makes you get all the sacraments. It's superstitions. They almost didn't let me get married in the Catholic church because my parents quit church before I got confirmed. They made me say that I would get confirmed. Well, I got confirmed but not through the Catholic Church. I confirmed myself when i became and believer of Jesus Christ and begged Him to run my life.

Please, don't get engaged if you're different faiths. I know many people that are miserable in marriages to people of different beliefs.

Answer 6

You are correct in that a catholic must be married in the catholic Church by a priest or deacon in order for the marriage to be considered valid by the Catholic Church.

Go talk to your priest. You may be able to receive a dispensation from form and still be validly married.

Why does your "almost fiancee" not want to get married in a Catholic Church? Does she not consider Catholics to be Christian? Does she object to the Catholic faith? What faith will the children be raised in? If you marry, will you continue to be a member of the Catholic Church? Will you be going to Mass and worshipping God by yourself?

These are VERY important questions that need to be answered before you get married.

PLEASE contact me so we can discuss this.

Answer 7

You need to give some serious consideration to getting married. If neither of you are willing to move in your religious beliefs, then they are going to be an issue for years to come.

What will happen when you have children? How will they be raised?

What happens if you need counseling or other spritual advise in your marriage? We she be willing to go to your priest, or you to her minister? Will you be able to pray together in an emergency? How can you support each other in your faiths if they are different?

There are enough difficulties in any marriage. Adding a difference of religions never helps.

If neither of you is willing to switch to the others church, consider trying some different churches together. Perhpas you can find one that you both can accept.

Or, you may have to decide that the marriage is not to be.

Answer 8

This is something you both are going to have to talk about in detail. For example, if you have children, will they be raised Catholic or Protestant? All this needs to be discussed and agreed upon BEFORE any marriage. This will alleviate any future problems. Just remember that you should both be able to give a little.....then go from there. Best of luck to you.

Answer 9

Does it matter? In the end? You are going to be married either way in front of your God and Jesus. The only way you can be married in a Catholic church is if she converts or promises to raise your children Catholic. Sounds like you two need to have a talk.
Don't let the variation of your same beliefs drive a wedge between you.

Answer 10

Good luck. Offer to compromise a Catholic Wedding and a Methodist wedding.Or you could ask your Bishop for a dispensation.