I am methodist, he is catholic..?

Question

He only wants to be catholic. I am open to exploring all religions however, except for catholic. What do we do? Friends have suggested getting married in both churches.... but then our children will be another issue. He insists on catholic, why would i want that if I don't want to convert to catholic.??? Help....Lost..

Yes, I have explored Catholicism... I have been to the Catholic church on several occasions.

Answer 1

The Catholic Church allows marriage between Catholics and non-Catholics. You do not have to convert.

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

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1633-1637: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt3art7.htm#1633

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

In the Catholic faith if you are not married by a priest then the marriage does not count. It is like it never happened so in his eyes you would be living in sin. In order for you to get married in the church you will have to agree to raise your children in the Catholic faith. Obviously his religion is very important to him so why would you be surprised that he insists his children be raised Catholic? This is definitely a serious issue that you both need to resolve before you start planning any weddings.

My question to you is why you are so open to exploring any religion except Catholicism. That seems somewhat strange, especially since Methodist and Catholic religions both share many of the same ideals. If you are not very particular about your personal religion then it doesn't seem strange that he would feel that you would be okay with raising the kids in his faith, which he does take very seriously. Have you at least considered going to some classes at his church to see what the Catholic faith is all about? Maybe then you could make a more educated decision.

If you really do not feel that you could raise your children as Catholics then the best thing you can do is be very upfront about that with him now and discuss it. The issue may be big enough that you cannot get past it however and you need to be prepared for that. I wish you the best of luck.

ETA: I'm not at all trying to be rude, but I'm not sure that attending mass a few times really qualifies as "exploring the Catholic faith". If you are serious about marrying this man and having kids with him then I believe that you should take the time to at least take one of the educational courses that they offer or read some books on the subject before making a final decision. Even if you do decide to raise your child Catholic it just means to provide them with the education and the sacraments when they are younger. It will be up to them to make the final decision about whether or not they want to be confirmed in the Catholic faith. You could always discuss different religions as well as ensuring that they receive the Catholic sacraments. Perhaps that would be a good compromise?

Answer 3

There isn't any get dressed code at a Catholic Mass, however IMO you should not seem like you are getting capable to wait a ball sport, and so forth. The Mass isn't uninteresting, however like plenty of matters, the extra you place into it and the extra you realize it the extra you get out of it. I'm now not definite what you imply approximately Mass being strict. You are not able to bite gum or concentrate in your Ipod, however I might expect it is not more strict than sitting in a category room or attending one in every of your church offerings. I do not know some thing approximately the Methodist Church so I are not able to let you know the variations among that and the Catholic Church.

Answer 4

If you haven't explored Catholicism, how do you know you don't want to be Catholic?

At least read a book like, "What Catholics REALLY Believe" to find out if you want to explore his faith or not. And he should read about Methodism. It's only fair.

Catholic people are required to teach their children the Catholic faith, which makes perfect sense because we believe it's true. Why wouldn't we teach our kids what we know to be true?

Answer 5

Perhaps I can offer something useful from my experience.... not sure... but here goes...

My hubby is Catholic. His WHOLE family is Catholic. He even has an uncle who is a Catholic Priest.

I was baptised Catholic (no idea why), but my parents did not raise me to go to church.

I actually attended a Methodist church with one of my friends when I was growing up.

I know enough about Catholicism to know that ALL of the Sacraments (marriage is a Sacrament) are very very important. If you are not married in the Catholic Church, your marriage is not "fully" recognized.

Depending on the particular parish, they may respect the marriage, just not completely.

He will never again be able to take communion. If you are not "right with God" you are not allowed to take communion.

So you have to go to Mass every Sunday, confess ALL your sins and be in a marriage blessed by the Church if you want to take communion.

If someone is practicing Catholic, this (not taking communion) can make them feel very unworthy and could lead to negative feelings about themselves as a whole.

I do not think that Methodists are quite so strict.

So if it were me (and it was) I think it is okay to have the full Catholic Wedding. I don't think the Methodist Church will turn you away for being married outside of the Methodist Church. It's kinda like choosing the lesser of two evils.

And we do have a son. He is not yet Baptised into any religion, but I am going to agree to have him baptised as Catholic. We will go to Mass as a family (as we already do). With all the traditions and sacraments tied up in being Catholic, I am okay with it.

I am also going to RCIA class to learn about the Catholic faith. I think it is very helpful to understand what Catholics believe rather that to just unknowingly thinking it is all strange (which is what I thought).

I am understanding why they believe what they do, but not really comfortable with all of it for myself. I don't think any of it is "bad"... I just feel very strange making the sign of the cross. I don't see myself chanting prayers on a Rosary. And there are other things that just don't feel right for me. But knowing all the history behind it, I am able to respect it.

You are not obligated to join the Catholic Church at the end of the RCIA class, that why I decided to go.

I told my hubby that I would at least consider it after I have learned about it. He said he was not going to try to force me to become fully Catholic. (remember - I was baptised, but that's it - so I guess for all intents and purposes I am Catholic)

But as I learn, I am also considering going back to the Methodist Church. I don't like feeling like I am a complete sinner if I miss a Sunday... and I don't like feeling that I am not allowed to take communion if I don't confess all my sins directly to a Priest. I am terribly shy and would hate that kind of confrontation... even if it's not face to face.

Besides, even if my son is technically raised Catholic, he will have the option to make his own choice when he is an adult.

And maybe we will go to Mass when Daddy is coming with us, but if Daddy's not coming, we can go to the Methodist church instead. Then he will get to see both.

But you have to talk about this stuff before you get married. For some Catholics, these things are EXTEREMELY important and are non-negotiable.

I hope you found something useful in my story....

Answer 6

wow

do you have to have a relgious ceremony?
Why are you open to any religion but catholic? sounds odd you would want to marry a catholic then. What about Christianity?

as far as the kids... i got nothin.

Answer 7

I married a catholic but he converted to my religion, I was raised Southern Baptist,later in our marriage we changed together to pentecostals. So it is a possibility for change. You just have to love one another enough to make sacrifices. Ask him to just visit your church who knows he may want to see more. Cathololics are not all bad ya know. It is just a misunderstood religion. Really we all need to just love Christ as he loved us and life really is simple. Love your hubby anyway. God Bless!!!!!

Answer 8

One or both of you has to switch or it will never work. It is not good for children to be divided.

Answer 9

Don't do that to your kids or yourself.