Norwich bulletin., 1916-02-28
MIXED MARRIAGES. CONDEMNED.
Spiritual Dangers of People of Differ
ing Faiths Wedding Explained by
Rev. Peter J. Cuny Catholic
Church's Teaching.

1.-The ideals of the Catholic church
are Christ's Ideals" said the Rev. Pc
ter j. Cuny at st. Patrick's church on
Sunday, continuing his series of SER
mons on Marriage. The truths taught
by the church today are essentially
those taught by Christ nineteen hum
bred years ago. When the Saviour
dignified marriage and elevated it to
the plane of a sacrament, undoubted-
ly He intended to sanction the union
of those who were His followers
Christian man and a Christian wo-
man.
Perpetuating Christ's ideals, the
Catholic church discourages marriages
between a man and woman of oppos-
ing beliefs. For that matter, this
opinion is held by ministers Of other
denominations; they, too, reaHze the
disadvantage of what is generally re-
ferred to as mixed marriage.
The Catholic church takes a determ-
tned stand in this matter for four
principal reasons. Such a marriage
wife which should be akin to that
union existing between Christ and His
Church. 1t is as though belief should
be Joined to unbelfef. truth to err
ror; for there can be no real har-
mony in such union.
Secondly, the mixed marriage tends
to weaken the faith of the Roman
Catholic who is party to 1t; per-
haps ending in carelessness or COM
plete Indifference to all religious OBJ
legations.
Again. the divine object Of matri-
mony is to educate souls for the
bingham of Heaven. Although the
Catholic church absolutely refuses to
countenance marriage between a
Catholic man or woman and one of OPP
signed to bring up the children of
such a union in the Catholic church.
after the first ardor of love cools, with
the birth of the first child, there is
apt to be friction over the baptism
of the infant; and in some cases this
disagreement ends in the child's not
being baptized at all.
Fourth, each Catholic party to a
mixed marriage solemnly promises to
so live as to set a good example to his
or her partner of an opposite faith
This promise the preacher said. he
feared was often forgotten. The best
| example is set, not by preaching
| which may well be restricted to the
pulpit, and even there loses its full eff
| feet If too long drawn out but by liv-
ing up to the principles of the Cath
Ole church. Instances were cited to
prove the truth Of the fact that it is
not talking, but living Catholicity
which has won non-believing consorts
to knowledge of the true faith.
In this matter, as in all others. pre-
vention is better than cure. Catho-
| lies should not begin an intimacy like
| ly to eventuate in an attachment
| leading to marriage, which CEREMONY
| the church countenances only because
otherwise the parties seeking marriage
| if refused consent by the pastor Of
the Catholic party, might be led to
seek to contract marriage outside the
church, in a manner which, from a
Catholic standpoint, ranks no higher
| than adultery.
This evil of mixed marriages is be-
/ ing combatted in every parish, and
with all the emphasis which the Cath
| Ole church can lend to its prohibit
| tons; and Rev. Father Cuny related
a number of striking instances which
| had come within his persinal expert.
ence of the spiritual danger which the
| Catholic risks who enters such
marriage, undeterred by the warnings
! advice and admonitions of his church
and his pastor.