Hi,

I read the postings about mixed-faith marriage, but would be very grateful for clergy clarification, as this is also my predicament. So if anyone reading this is actually a clergy person of the Catholic faith, may I please ask your help?....

I am a practicing Catholic man who wants to propose to a practicing Bahai woman. She is divorced from her Bahai marriage and has 3 children. This will be my first and only marriage.

Simple Question (and I pray for an equally simple, straight answer): If she attends the requisite marriage encounter meetings, may I marry her in a Catholic church? Again, any simple, direct answer from clergy is so appreciated! Many, many thanks to you. --Roman

-- Roman (foursec@yahoo.com), November 02, 2004

Answers

take this to the top...

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), November 02, 2004.

Hi Roman, there are not many clergy members who post here. If you don't get an answer, try talking to your priest or local Catholic diocese.

God bless,

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), November 03, 2004.

Paul is clergy, he is normally quick to respond.

-- Hugh (hugh@inspired.com), November 04, 2004.

Before you reach the point of pre-marital instructions,the principle issue you need to address is her previous marriage. The details of that marriage will have to be submitted to a marriage tribunal for determination of validity. If the tribunal determines that her previous marriage was not valid - in other words, that she is not currently married - then you would be free to pursue marriage.

Once that issue is properly addressed, marriage in the Catholic Church would be possible under the following conditions ...

- that you both attend required pre-marital instruction

- that you affirm that this marriage will not pose a danger to your Catholic faith

- that you promise that you will do all in your power to baptize your children Catholic and to raise them in the Catholic faith

- that your wife-to-be be duly informed of these obligations to which you are consenting

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), November 04, 2004.