Im so struggling right now, any Catholic here who can give me an advice? Im Catholic planning to get married to my Muslim boyfriend in summer. We are both pretty religious, but respectful of each other's religion. We want to do both ceremonies, the catholic and the muslim one, but church law says we cannot add another ceremony to the catholic one. I talked to various priests and even one lady inquired with a bishop for me and ALL of them said they dont see a problem because the muslim wedding is not really a religious ceremony and more of a contract thing. But a friend of mine asked a priest she knows to get in contact with church lawyers to ask them so that we can be sure, and im so scared that they wont say no and that my head will take it as a sign and I will start to worry again whether its ok to get married ... I know it makes no sense to worry about something I dont know will happen or not, but I cant seem to get it out of my head since yesterday and im always on the verge of crying... I dont want to do something thats against the church, but I couldnt stand to break off this relationship either and Im so so scared. I have moments where I feel in my heart that its the right thing to do to get married but one little thing and I get scared again that Im going against God's will...

you should tell your boyfriend about this fear I feel like he might have some comforting words..

As a Muslim myself who has studied Islamic Law, I can tell you from the Islamic perspective, it is absolutely permissable to marry an individual from another faith. However, if you are a practising Catholic, you really should make sure with certainty that your faith permits you to get married to a person from another faith, because OCD might make your situation worse, possibly increase symptoms of severe guilt, shame, regret, fear of sinning etc. Just friendly advice, I hope things work out :)

Hmmmm, the islamic contract is a religious contract aswell though. Wait and see what your friends say, I feel for you, it shouldn't have to be this stressful.

Oh .. I don't know about church laws but if a priest says it's ok then he knows best right? you should trust what they say and I'm sure the priest that knows your friend is gonna say so to. sometimes the worrying gets out of control but trust yourself :) interreligious marriage is not a sin. try to talk it out with someone from the church while the lawyers get back to you. just so you can calm yourself.

The Bible does not say you can’t marry a nonbeliever. There are even verses that say that a spouse can lead their significant other to the truth. Idk if you are trying to change him but knowing that it has been done and okay in the Bible may give you comfort.

Thank you! Im not trying to change him. I just keep worrying because of the ceremonies. The church law says you cant do more than one, but I dont know if the Muslim one falls under that since its more contract than relegious ceremony. People keep telling me its ok, but İm scared that These lawyers will only take a look at the law, where it says "no" and tell me so and then my OCD mind will take that as a sign telling me that God is against this marriage...so im basically worrying about possibly having to worry again in the future, but also I cant seem to relax until I know what their answer will be... I dont know if that makes sense..

Have you sought the advice or a legal verdict from high priests? catholic clergy?

Hey first of all congratulations! I'm not religious myself but I wan't to tell you its all going to be ok. You're very strong! You're going to be a happy married and loving couple :) x

Also my strongest OCD theme is fear of me going to hell, so this situation is especially challenging .... :(

Thanks for your reply! I talked to him about it several times, he comforts me and says its gonna be ok, but I dont want to keep bothering him with it because then my OCD starts telling me how annoying I am to him and how he will leave me... :(

Thank you :) Yeah I have to work in my trusting...

*on

Yes, there seems to be no 100% certainty but those ı talked to said they thought it was ok because its more like a contract and less a religious ceremony. Also this lady I talked to asked a bishop for me who told her the same so İ stopped worrying. But now my friends is asking these church lawyers and Im scared they will say no and then ı will start worrying again...

Thank you so much Ruthi!