Consenting To A Marriage

[KeenanParkerII]

My older sister is getting married, but it's in an evangelical Church. I'm really ashamed that I attended her baptism there because she had already been baptized previously, and I knew it was wrong. Also, more than once their 'pastor' made comments about the Catholic Church knowing full well that I was attending and I was converting to Catholicism. I really kick myself for not walking out. Now she's getting married there, I feel like attending will be consenting to it. Even more, I just found out they intend to use contraception until they're ready for a child.

I've already tried explaining to her in a calm and respectful manner that it's wrong, that past cultures have always had contraception and the Church has always been against it. She just responds with: Well that's your opinion. But obviously it's not. That response doesn't even show an understanding of what we're talking about. Should I really be attending this? I know missing a sibling's wedding is an unpleasant thought, but that's not what is important.

[saline_queen]

With those types, you can talk until you're blue in the face and it won't make a bit of difference. God understands that you don't approve but I still think you need to attend.

My sister and her mother in law are born agains. I was raised with no religion really, but my dad's side was catholic and my mom's side was baptist. I have always wanted to be catholic and now I am taking the steps to become catholic. However, my sister and her mother in law tend to drive me nuts, telling me how evil catholics are and yada yada yada. There is only one reason that my sister's mother in law believes this but it's a long winded dumb story. But yes. Talking to those types does absolutely nothing. It's best to just bite your tongue unfortunately.

[saline_queen]

Also, I am in no boat to criticize about BC... I am on it but as soon as my fiance and I are married, we plan to get off of it. We have one son and can barely make ends meet as it is so I cannot imagine life right now with another baby. I know it's wrong to be having sex outside of marriage and even so I should be trusting that God wouldn't allow another child unless we could handle it, but I am human and have no trust in myself when it comes to another baby =0/

[Vincent Vega]

Cardinal Arinze had a Q&A once where he spoke on this topic. I'll try and find the video.

[Vincent Vega]

Nevermind, the video was on non-practicing Catholics getting married.

[KeenanParkerII]

[quote]Also, I am in no boat to criticize about BC... I am on it but as soon as my fiance and I are married, we plan to get off of it. We have one son and can barely make ends meet as it is so I cannot imagine life right now with another baby. I know it's wrong to be having sex outside of marriage and even so I should be trusting that God wouldn't allow another child unless we could handle it, but I am human and have no trust in myself when it comes to another baby =0/[/quote]

Ah, well despite being a 21 year old college student, I don't actually know that much about sex and pregnancy, but I do recommend developing faith in your own strength and getting off of BC. I don't want to preach or anything, just keep it real with a fellow catechumen. Why do you think I should attend is mostly what I'm curious about, because it seems (and I use the word seems) like there are good reasons to stay away.

[KeenanParkerII]

[quote]Nevermind, the video was on non-practicing Catholics getting married. [/quote]

Thanks anyways

[CatherineM]

I have 5 older brothers, and they have had 13 weddings, although one of those was to an ex-wife, so I don't know if I should count it. Of those 13 weddings, only one was in the Catholic Church. I have gone to some, and boycotted others. In the end, the boycotting didn't change anything, and frankly, didn't make me feel any better. On the other hand, I never had the officiant bash the Church either. What I have settled into, is I don't attend the service, but I do attend the receptions. The former so that I don't have to participate in something I don't approve of, and the latter to show that despite their wedding, I still love my brother, and want what's best for him, and support him.

[Era Might]

[quote name='saline_queen' date='17 February 2010 - 09:03 PM' timestamp='1266458634' post='2058585']
Also, I am in no boat to criticize about BC... I am on it but as soon as my fiance and I are married, we plan to get off of it. We have one son and can barely make ends meet as it is so I cannot imagine life right now with another baby. I know it's wrong to be having sex outside of marriage and even so I should be trusting that God wouldn't allow another child unless we could handle it, but I am human and have no trust in myself when it comes to another baby =0/
[/quote]
Contraception can be abortive. In other words, you may be killing your children by using contraception.

[KeenanParkerII]

[quote]I have 5 older brothers, and they have had 13 weddings, although one of those was to an ex-wife, so I don't know if I should count it. Of those 13 weddings, only one was in the Catholic Church. I have gone to some, and boycotted others. In the end, the boycotting didn't change anything, and frankly, didn't make me feel any better. On the other hand, I never had the officiant bash the Church either. What I have settled into, is I don't attend the service, but I do attend the receptions. The former so that I don't have to participate in something I don't approve of, and the latter to show that despite their wedding, I still love my brother, and want what's best for him, and support him. [/quote]

Thanks Catherine, I value your experience in these matters. How did they take you avoiding the service?

[vee]

Since its Lent its the perfect time to offer all your prayers and sufferings to God for your sister and her fiance that they will come to know and do His will. As for attending or not thats a tough one and one way to think of it is what advice would you give to someone if they came to you asking you the same question.