Case XXV: May Mixed Marriage Ever Be Advised?

Mr. B., a wealthy Protestant merchant, married a Catholic woman, promising that the children should be reared as Catholics. After a happy married life the wife dies, leaving three children under age. B.'s mother was still living, but he did not care to place his children in her care, having promised their Catholic education. Under these circumstances he sought again the hand of a Catholic woman. The latter asked advice of her confessor, and he advised her to accept the offer.

Quaeritur i. Is it never advisable to advise the entering of a mixed marriage? 2. Did the confessor act against the Church in casu? 3. What should the priest advise Mr. B. if he should ask for advice in the matterf

Ad 1. The dreadful havoc wrought by mixed marriages, for the individual and for the Church, is sufficiently known. The loss of souls, the inroads made by indifferentism, show as plain as daylight how well-founded the plaints of bishops and clergy from all parts of the Church are, and call to mind the touching words of Pius VIII, with which he accompanied the delegating of dispensation to the bishops of Prussia: Post haec Sanctitas Sua ad crucifixi pedes provoluta protestatur, se ad tolerantiam praedictam ea dumtaxat de causa adduci seu verius pertrahi, ne graviora religioni catholicae incommoda obveniant. For this reason it is the priests' sacred duty to refer in their sermons frequently to the evil consequences of mixed marriages, and to raise a warning protest already in the catechetical instructions at school. Yet, notwithstanding, now and again permission will be granted for a mixed marriage, the Church giving dispensation for weighty reasons, the necessary conditions being observed. The practice of the Church proves this, and Benedict XIV forbids to consider as sinful such a marriage, contracted after valid dispensation. That, however, which is permissible under certain conditions, may under special circumstances be even good and commendable and therefore advisable. This would answer the first question.

Ad 2. Against the Church would act the one who works against the spirit of the Church, who does not observe her laws, and offers occasion for violation of the same. A confessor who would advise a mixed marriage for any ordinary reason would certainly act against the Church. In our case, however, the salvation of three young children is at stake, which may be cared for without peril to the own soul. We are dealing with a man who is so in earnest about their Catholic education, that he for this reason alone seeks again a Catholic for wife. Such an one assuredly will never put any obstacles in the way of his wife's religious practices; this has been proven during his first marriage. On the contrary, there is a well-founded hope that he, too, may ultimately follow the lead of grace. Who would, therefore, censure the advice of this confessor, as against the Church, who recommends to a zealous Catholic such a spiritual work of mercy? A very similar case is recalled to the writer of these lines. A Protestant, upon the death of his Catholic wife, wanted to win a Catholic girl for his bride, so that he might be able to carry out his promise of bringing up his children as Catholics. The confessor advised the girl that she would be doing a good work by accepting the offer. But she declined to marry a Protestant; and no Catholic can blame her for it. What happened, however? The man eventually married a Protestant girl, who thought it queer that she and her Protestant husband should bring the children up as Catholics. The husband at first would listen to no arguments, he desired to keep his promise. But then the Protestant minister came along, and so harangued the two that finally the children were sent to a Protestant church and school.

The advice of our confessor was certainly not against the interests of the Church.

Ad 3. The foregoing answers the third question. Should Mr. B. come to the Catholic priest and show himself the man we judge him to be from the facts in the case, the priest should help him to find such a Catholic wife, who is likely to undertake the task imposed by this marriage.