Ask a Question - or - Return to the Spiritual Warfare Forum Index

Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Catholic to marry an agnostic?	Joe	Monday, May 14, 2012
Question: Hello Brother. I am a Catholic man who is in the early stages of a relationship with an agnostic woman. If we were to eventually marry, would this union jeopardize my soul? We have spoken about our religious views and she has stated that she would be willing to accompany me to Mass but would not receive Holy Communion because she is not a believer. Although her stance on religion troubles me, I don't foresee that as being a huge problem for us. I would prefer my spouse to share the same religious beliefs that I do; however, I don't consider it to be necessity. The fact that she is agnostic is not a deal-breaker for me. Her agnosticism would be a deal-breaker if children were involved; however, neither of us has children and we are both middle-aged. Although we are still in the early-stages of our relationship, we have discussed children and neither of us is interested in trying to have any or adopting any at this stage in our lives. So, my concern revolves around the well-being of my own soul. Will marrying an agnostic, or, for that matter, even continuing in this relationship with her, hurt my soul? Thanks, Brother.
Question Answered by Dear Joe: Thank you for asking the question. The Church does not recommend marriage to anyone other than a Catholic. To marry a non-Christian requires a dispensation from the Bishop. That dispensation is given only if all three requirements are met: 1) there is nothing to impede the Catholic spouse in the practive of the faith; 2) that the Catholic spouse promises to raise any children Catholic; 3) that the wedding is in the Catholic Church. A marriage in which the couple intends to have no children is an invalid marriage. There is no time that the marital embrace can be without openness to life—even in old age. Abraham's wife was in her 80s when she conceived. The purpose of marital embrace is the conception of children and the bonding of the husband and wife. When there are no children the marriage is still valid as the marital embrace is a bonding with each other. The higher result of this is a close bonding between spouses before God. This is not possible in a marriage to a person who is not sure God exists. Even if there are no children, the household should be a Catholic one. Couple should be able to share the Catholic faith and existence with each other. That is not possible if one spouse is not Catholic. Thus, the Catholic spouse is diminished because the practice of the faith is only one-sided. I would advise you to call off the dating of this woman. The only purpose of dating is to look for a spouse. If a person is not suitable to be a spouse (which this woman you are dating is not), then no dating should occur, or cease dating once you know the person is not suitable. Only a Catholic woman who is loyal to the Church and who practices her faith is suitable for you. Anything less and you will not have a Catholic marriage that celebrates the Faith in the marriage. Marrying a non-Catholic will effect your faith in little ways at the least. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Catholic to marry an agnostic?

Joe

Monday, May 14, 2012

Question:

Hello Brother. I am a Catholic man who is in the early stages of a relationship with an agnostic woman. If we were to eventually marry, would this union jeopardize my soul?

We have spoken about our religious views and she has stated that she would be willing to accompany me to Mass but would not receive Holy Communion because she is not a believer.

Although her stance on religion troubles me, I don't foresee that as being a huge problem for us. I would prefer my spouse to share the same religious beliefs that I do; however, I don't consider it to be necessity. The fact that she is agnostic is not a deal-breaker for me. Her agnosticism would be a deal-breaker if children were involved; however, neither of us has children and we are both middle-aged.

Although we are still in the early-stages of our relationship, we have discussed children and neither of us is interested in trying to have any or adopting any at this stage in our lives. So, my concern revolves around the well-being of my own soul. Will marrying an agnostic, or, for that matter, even continuing in this relationship with her, hurt my soul? Thanks, Brother.

Question Answered by

Dear Joe:

Thank you for asking the question.

The Church does not recommend marriage to anyone other than a Catholic. To marry a non-Christian requires a dispensation from the Bishop. That dispensation is given only if all three requirements are met:

1) there is nothing to impede the Catholic spouse in the practive of the faith;
2) that the Catholic spouse promises to raise any children Catholic;
3) that the wedding is in the Catholic Church.

A marriage in which the couple intends to have no children is an invalid marriage. There is no time that the marital embrace can be without openness to life—even in old age. Abraham's wife was in her 80s when she conceived.

The purpose of marital embrace is the conception of children and the bonding of the husband and wife. When there are no children the marriage is still valid as the marital embrace is a bonding with each other.

The higher result of this is a close bonding between spouses before God. This is not possible in a marriage to a person who is not sure God exists. Even if there are no children, the household should be a Catholic one. Couple should be able to share the Catholic faith and existence with each other. That is not possible if one spouse is not Catholic. Thus, the Catholic spouse is diminished because the practice of the faith is only one-sided.

I would advise you to call off the dating of this woman.

The only purpose of dating is to look for a spouse. If a person is not suitable to be a spouse (which this woman you are dating is not), then no dating should occur, or cease dating once you know the person is not suitable. Only a Catholic woman who is loyal to the Church and who practices her faith is suitable for you. Anything less and you will not have a Catholic marriage that celebrates the Faith in the marriage. Marrying a non-Catholic will effect your faith in little ways at the least.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.