Expert: Fr. Michael - 4/23/2008

Question
My girlfriend who is a devout catholic and I, a devout protestant, have been having many discussions about our relationship if it should move forward on how we would raise our children as neither of us are going to change faiths.  Having knowledge of the catholic church I understand it is her duty to raise her children catholic.  I also feel it is my duty to raise my children in my faith which would mean baptism, confirmation and communion in my faith.  So my question is can children of two faiths by baptized, confirmed and take communion in both faiths based on catholic teachings/laws?

Answer
Absolutely not!  Catholicism and Protestantism involve two significantly different sets of belief, one true and one heretical, from the Catholic perspective.  It is not a matter of "law"; it is a matter of reason.  How can one treat truth and error equally?  For a true Catholic, there is no question.

It is good that you are getting these issues out in the open early.  It sounds as if there is a great divide between you on important issues.  This is not unusual when people have different beliefs on important matters.  Generally, it is not wise to marry someone from a non-Catholic sect, no matter how well intentioned that person may be.  There are just too many serious differences that, if they do not come out early, are bound to come out later, when it will be too late.  Any true Protestant, Jew, Muslim, etc., would say the same thing.

You need to get some sound guidance from a traditional Catholic priest.  If you do not have one, there is a list at http://www.traditio.com/nat.htm