ger of either losing the faith or of becoming indifferent;
2. Because the Catholic education of the children is generally deficient, and not seldom impossible;
3. Because the non-Catholic party usually does not acknowledge Matrimony either as a Sacrament or as indissoluble, and can, therefore, according to his or her principles, separate, and marry again, which the Catholic consort is not permitted to do; and
4. Because for that very reason such a marriage never is a true emblem of the most intimate, indissoluble union of Christ with His Church, which every Christian marriage ought to be;
5. Because the happiness of married life depends, above all, on unity of faith.
19. On what conditions does the Church consent to a mixed marriage?
On these: 1. That the Catholic party be allowed the free exercise of religion; 2. That all the children be brought up in the Catholic religion (Briefs of Pius VIII. and Gregory XVI.); and 3. That the Catholic party earnestly endeavor to gain by persuasion the non-Catholic consort to the true Church.
20. Is the Church obliged to require such conditions?
Yes; otherwise she would either be indifferent to the eternal welfare of her children, or deny that she alone is the true saving Church.
21. Can, then, a person never be permitted to contract a mixed marriage, unless the Catholic education of the children be previously secured?
No; for such a marriage would be a grievous sin against the Catholic Church and the spiritual welfare of the children that may be born; wherefore the Church can in no case give her consent to it.
Parents who freely consent to such a marriage of their child render themselves guilty of the same sin as the child, and incur a severe responsibility before God.
