Inter-denominational Marriages
The Roman Catholic Church requires permission for mixed marriages, which it terms all unions between Catholics and baptized non-Catholics (Eastern Orthodox and many Protestants). Such marriages are valid, though illicit, without this specific permission. The pastor of the Catholic party has authority to grant such permission. Also, historically, the mixed marriage cannot be officiated by a non-Catholic pastor as doing so would warrant excommunication for the Catholic partner. The baptized non-Catholic partner does not have to convert. Previously, the baptized non-Catholic partner had to agree to raise the children Catholic, but under current rules only the Catholic spouse must promise to do so.
Read more about this topic: Interfaith Marriage In Christianity
Famous quotes containing the word marriages:
“If marriages were made by putting all the men’s names into one sack and the women’s names into another, and having them taken out by a blindfolded child like lottery numbers, there would be just as high a percentage of happy marriages as we have here in England.... If you can tell me of any trustworthy method of selecting a wife, I shall be happy to make use of it.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)