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ad id...marriage*?***' *nd ^f,a^*v*nta*e ®f Inter-fattihrp. _ ^hls Question was asked by a non-Catholic.answer is directed to the questioner.vi«*KiIte,cfaith maiTia«es are definitely not ad-ninH Su1ccess and happiness in marriage de-22 hXEP UP°n Unity or harmony of inter-, iefs» purposes, and convictions. Differ-vronnH atlonality religion, cultural back-ftfltn. o/ ^ca ’ soclal standin or economice dangers to this unity and harmony.th7nnWagH*fraS Said IViSely that in ideal matin«shouldL dd*orence between husband and wife should be that one is male and the other female.Church has always stronglyopposed the marriage of Catholics to non-Catho-general non-Catholic groups have beenri^Ic /Taie the dan8ers of such mar-S and today SOme protestant churches, par-thA ^e.Lutheran, are quite as forceful asthe Catholic in forbidding them.(otT0,ung I36®?1.6 are generally religious and in-Hpon f ln •re.'gloni but they can not have that deep appreciation of the importance of religion tolife which comes from long experience. Religion is much more than a belief, or a prejudicel?vin* t*^membership. Religion is a way of living. It is intimately interwoven with tradition, custom and culture; and is the very thread of which conscience weaves its fabric of character and forms its patterns of action.a great source of unity inmarriage. Deep convictions held firmly innr^T?n’ h ldjals giving mutual inspiration, fnr tt murm^r^d in unison, sacrifice sharedcnUHo 1 ese can give harmony andsolidarity. These can give mutual peace and happiness dissipate conflicts, and form a strongshnrpH m nadversity- Religion is something shared, as all married life should be shared.Can also be a Sreat disrupting in-hiHJi TrVag5- When deeP convictions clash, high ideals divide, prayers become anannoying mumble, and sacrifice seems a shame,Thpv 0n sacrfd things can cause dissension. They can cause trouble and breed mutual ill-will create conflicts, and precipitate quarrels. Reli-?h2L I £nu some.ihinS which divides where there should be union.nr n?iinS*iti0nT*t0 mixed marriage is not bigotrynpnW« K sane judgment based on ex-Thp observat|°n» and even some statistics. The figures available—too limited to be conclu-slve mdicate that the failures and divorces inmixed marriages may be four or five timesas8OUR SUNDAY VISITORmarriagesMSGR. J. D. CONWAYFebruary 2, 1958numerous as in marriages between two Catho-is? ?£ T Protestants. Even if figures exagger-ate, the danger is great.The problem of mixed marriage require* clear, cool thinking, and that is often a bit diffi-CUn ^mi rJSidst of tbat emotional agitation called love. The following questions should befrankly asked and honestly answered.T. *1,-?° grueat is the religious difference?The difference between two Protestant denominations may not be important. But the difference between Catholic and Protestant is vwy important and vital.2. How much does your religion mean to you? Are you rather indifferent? Do you consider denominations unimportant? Do you callyourself broadminded? Or is religion a matter of firm conviction with you? Or deep prejudice?Is it an essential part of your daily life? Areyou determined to convince others, and have them agree with you?3. What about the Catholic you plan toh* a g?°id Catholic* strong in his faith,firm in his principles, and faithful in the prac-ate? religion? Is he tolerant and consider-4. Would religion be a point of disairrep.fnTJ andc°nflict bctw-en you? You canTre^answer this question, of course. Love makes the ays seem smooth ahead, and you have neveryet encountered the serious problems._ Have you talked about religion betweeny urselves. Do you argue? Do emotions surge?i^e you worked out cooly a firm and honest ments? agreement and of settling disagreeing 1 fWhat ^b°ut thfrchildren? They can’t be-nn rnl( r leh\ons- You can’t raise them withwill hovpHf U aW about those Promises you nnH , n 1° Slgnj eL you si^ning them freelyand willingly, and without reservation? Will resentments grow up later because you consider them unfair. What about parochial schools? How will you feel when your, children study their catechism, learn their prayers, recite their ro-f?ry’ T11? .tbeir first Communion, show you heir holy pictures and crucifixes, jabber aboutoS3i Va? rieye you criticalIY because you that? 0 an you stand being left out likeabout unnatural birth control?Thpv hpi!10 Sare awfully stubborn about that. They believe it is a mortal sin. Are you prepared for all the consequences?niH cl u Whaj af)0ut divorce? Catholics are firmlyabout that t0°- 0f c°u«-se the ques-WK ,jeveru come up in y°ur marriage—butif it should, what then?e.^hat about your family—and yourCatholic m-laws. What is their attitude about this mixed marriage? How much troub'c miehtthey cause? There is a theory that in-!; ws are the biggest single danger in mixed marr ;. j1?: Wbat about marriage before 8 priest? And the instructions you will have to take—six of them, probably?rntJu^?°TVVOu ihmk you might ever become a Catholic. Don t do it unless you are thoroughlywhThnCQ ^ haVe the Faith- Conversionswhich are not sincere and thorough mav breedresentments and rebellion and cause more danger to the marriage than plain religious differences. Dut it might be worth investigation. A few instructions wouldn’t hurt.12. Do you have an idea that you mightdraw the Catholic away from his or her religion, later? Better not give it another thought. You might just do it; but you probably would not have a happy marriage as a result. If the religion means anything to him, or her vouwould only create an uneasy conscience, remorse, and resentments.13. Can you face facts? Catholics are abso-lutely convinced that the Catholic Church is the only true Church of Jesus Christ. You can’t change them. They firmly believe that they arein fhi rSen.0U.l si t0 raise their childrenin the Catholic faith. You may foil them, butyou can not change their conscience. You are^ t0u a^ee with Catbolics on thesepoints. You should recognize the fact of theirconvictions.youout14. Just how deeply in love are you? Can possibly break away from this Catholic with-fracturing your heart?How• •I have often wondered about that while giving someone the sacrament of Extreme Unction. We anoint with oil on the eves ears nose, mouth, hands and feet, and we pray Almighty God by His gracious mercy to forgive all the sins this person has committed by sight hearing, speech, taste, and touch, and all the* 1IS, f®et,have carried him into. Your eyes read bad books; your ears hear evil avidly vour mouth speaks blasphemy and acquires a' tasteL°ng d/lnk; y?ur hands Pick pockets. But what harm do you do with your nose?nthe^nybei ye.off?nd by sticking our nose into other peoples business. But I am not sure thattnis figure of speech was current in the earlycenturies when the ceremonies of the sacramentwere developing.Maybe we turn our nose up at people, and sin by our scorn and pride. Maybe we look?°wnM°Uu nose ai them, and sin by lack of char-lty. Maybe we are proud of the shape of our nose and sin by vanity. Or we let ourselves be led around by the nose, and so into sin. We cannosey. °f ‘r°Uble by being just plainr,ff( a11 that, I can hardly give additionalffense by recalling the old localism for excessive tippling: to get a snoot full.Actually, of course the nose does participate in a number of sins. It is never solitary in itsJ* it it • 'more than we™ ‘S. Gourmandfzmg would be dull without nasal delights. Your whiskey would lose half its savor if you couldn’t smell. The nose has its partfump?“ai S^lus: flse why your musk and perfumes. And then there might be a bit of illicitnuzzling m the manner of the Eskimo
Newspaper Details
Dallas Texas Catholic
Dallas, Texas, US
Sat, Feb 01, 1958
Page 30
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TX, USA 14 May 2021
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