May Catholics ever marry non-Christians?

Mixed marriages and disparity of cult

A "mixed marriage" is between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic; "disparity of cult" is marriage with a non-baptized person. The Catechism (CCC 1633-1637) teaches:

• Difference of confession is not an insurmountable obstacle when the spouses share what they have received from their communities and learn from each other's fidelity to Christ.
• But the difficulties must not be underestimated. Christian disunity can be felt within the home, and disparity of cult can aggravate this: differences about faith and about marriage itself, and different religious mentalities, can cause tension, especially over the children's education, and can tempt toward religious indifference.

What the Church requires

In the Latin Church, a mixed marriage needs the express permission of Church authority to be lawful. Disparity of cult requires an express dispensation for the marriage to be valid. Both presuppose that the two parties know and do not exclude the essential ends and properties of marriage, and that the Catholic party confirms, with the other party informed, the obligations to keep his or her faith and to have the children baptized and raised in the Catholic Church.

The Catholic spouse's task

Where possible, a common pastoral practice developed through ecumenical dialogue helps such couples live their situation in faith. In disparity of cult the Catholic spouse has a particular task, for, as the Catechism cites from 1 Corinthians 7, the unbelieving spouse is consecrated through the believing one. It is a great joy if this leads to the other spouse's free conversion. Sincere married love, patient practice of family virtues and persevering prayer can prepare the non-believing spouse to accept that grace.