Converting for marriage

[Mikhail]

I have always wondered about this. I have several friends who have converted to Catholicism for marriage and have even considered dooing it myself, if the situation arose. what is the policy on it? I know it happens a lot.

[Sarah_JC]

It's not necessary to convert to get married in the Catholic Church.
But if you convert, for any reason, you go through the RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation of Adults), and are baptised and recieve your first communion on Easter.
You can get information from any Catholic church about this.

Personally,
If you sincerely want to practice the Catholic faith, it's a beautiful thing.
If you're just doing it because "you have to" it's kind of upsetting.

[avemaria40]

The Catholic Church says that , to be married, u have to marry a baptized person, unless u get permission from the bishop or something. but u don't necessarily havve to convert to marry a Catholic. Idk church policy on this though. A friend of mine's mom was Jewish but became Catholic because she married a Catholic

[picchick]

In order to convert to Catholicism then you need to go through RCIA. However, I am a little concerned at your phrase "if the situation arose." Do not become Catholic to get married. Become Catholic because you WANT to be Catholic. I suggest that maybe you study a little bit of the faith "just for fun." Maybe you may see some things that interest you.

Meg

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='Sarah_JC' date='Aug 24 2005, 03:22 PM']It's not necessary to convert to get married in the Catholic Church.
But if you convert, for any reason, you go through the RCIA (Roman Catholic Initiation of Adults), and are baptised and recieve your first communion on Easter.
You can get information from any Catholic church about this.

Personally,
If you sincerely want to practice the Catholic faith, it's a beautiful thing.
If you're just doing it because "you have to" it's kind of upsetting.
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[b]R[/b]ite of [b]C[/b]hristian [b]I[/b]nitiation for [b]A[/b]dults

[Brother Adam]

[quote name='picchick' date='Aug 24 2005, 03:43 PM']In order to convert to Catholicism then you need to go through RCIA.  However, I am a little concerned at your phrase "if the situation arose."  Do not become Catholic to get married.  Become Catholic because you WANT to be Catholic.  I suggest that maybe you study a little bit of the faith "just for fun."  Maybe you may see some things that interest you.

Meg
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Yeah, buy "The Catholic Source Book". It has a lot of neat stories and facts in it.

[avemaria40]

Why Do Catholics Do That is also good to read

[Paladin D]

Don't forget [b]Catholicism For Dummies[/b], it's a reliable book (written by two priests). Do not buy the Idiot's Guide version, it gives a distorted view of Catholicism.

[Mikhail]

(clears throat)

I didn't say I wanted to know the standpoint of the Catholic church. I was curious as to what you people thought personally.

[hierochloe]

I think the concensus is that one should not convert merely "for marriage".

[Paladin D]

[quote name='hierochloe' date='Aug 24 2005, 07:28 PM']I think the concensus is that one should not convert merely "for marriage".
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Yeah, since it's more of an "obligation" or a "must-do" conversion, instead of a free choice.

[Mikhail]

Nice pat answers. Thanks. I doubt I'll be converting, but thanks for the time.

[Dave]

Converting just for the sake of another person -- including a spouse -- makes for a very weak Catholic.

[Laudate_Dominum]

I think its brilliant. I like marriage conversions.

[Socrates]

Just thought I'd add that my (formerly devout Protestant) mom converted because of my dad (who had himself converted earlier). My mom became a fervent Catholic (formally entering the Church shortly after my birth), and remains so to this day.

(Just a thought for those who think that "conversions for love" are always somehow shallow or insincere.)

[White Knight]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Aug 24 2005, 03:04 PM']Don't forget [b]Catholicism For Dummies[/b], it's a reliable book (written by two priests).  Do not buy the Idiot's Guide version, it gives a distorted view of Catholicism.
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You know whats sad. I was offered that book today, when I was in Weldron Books Stores. I looked at it, and I didn't like what it had to say about the Faith, it explained nothing or hardly anything on the Mass

[TrinityAddiction]

I agree, I think that if the person in question wants to convert for more reason than that their spouse is Catholic, then its okay.

My dad wasn't Catholic when he married my mom (Catholic all her life) but when i was littler he decided to convert not because my mom was Catholic, but because from attending mass semi-regularly with us and I guess my mom's cool example.

[picchick]

i am hoping and praying for the reverting of my boyfriend...keep him in your prayers.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='White Knight' date='Aug 25 2005, 10:22 PM']You know whats sad. I was offered that book today, when I was in Weldron Books Stores. I looked at it, and I didn't like what it had to say about the Faith, it explained nothing or hardly anything on the Mass 
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Its an excellent, easy read on catholicism, written by the EWTN priests.

[Oik]

As far as conversion, the general answers to your question Mikhail are correct. One should only Convert for love of Christ, not out of necesscity of for the conveinece that both both may have the same religion, or any other number of singular or combined reasonings.

That being said, even if only did convert for the wrong reasons, God can always bring good from that. Though again, i'm not encouraging this.

As for the general issue, I would say that if your one marries, to be aware that there does, indirectly fall upon oneself, the responsiblity to support ones Catholic spouse.

So, clearly, if you spouse is Catholic, you two marrying in the Church, it really is your responsibility to NOT counteract the education and growth of spirituality of your spouse and family in the Catholic Chuch.

I have seen not to few that marry in the church, mixed, and the Catholic spouse doesn't fulfil thier obligation.

In short, this is reaking a Sacred Oath taken at marriage. As the non-Catholic spouse, one is certainly chared with the duty to honor and respect this Sacred Oath, whether one in bound to it or not.

Why? You say you will when you say I do.



Hope this helps you out.
God Bless,
Chels