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Document Details : Title: Interfaith Marriages Subtitle: An Asian Perspective Author(s): TIRIMANNA, Vimal Journal: Marriage, Families & Spirituality Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Date: 2024 Pages: 81-95 DOI: 10.2143/INT.30.1.3293281 Abstract : Whether one likes it or not, today interfaith marriages (IFM) have come to stay all over the world, thanks mainly to the phenomena of globalization and mass migration. However, in Asia, where all the major world religions have co-existed in harmonious day-to-day living for centuries, this phenomenon – especially marriages of disparity of cult – has been quite common for many years. This article discusses a few theological and pastoral challenges that are linked to IFMs, mainly from an Asian multi-religious perspective. Among them, the need to revise and update the Code of Canon Law to be in tune with what Vatican II taught especially with regard to other religions is of prime importance. The oft-quoted 'dangers to the faith of the Catholic party and the would-be children' needs to be nuanced today since some IFMs have worked very well in Asia, though some such marriages have indeed ended up with religious indifference. Then, there are a few issues linked to the Eucharist, not only with regard to the reception of the consecrated host in a mixed religion marriage but also with regard to having the marriage rite of IFMs within the Eucharistic celebration. In view of the conciliar teachings on ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue, both mixed religion and disparity of cult marriages also can serve as bridges, though this is not adequately reflected in the 1983 Code of Canon Law. The Christian tradition has always acknowledged the presence of sanctifying sacramental grace in mixed religion marriages thanks to the baptism of both the spouses. But even in the disparity of cult marriages, following the Pauline teachings in 1 Cor 7,12-15, one needs to acknowledge a certain presence of God’s grace, though it may not be the same as the sacramental grace as taught by the church. Last but not least, the alarming rate of ignorance of the pastors with regard to what the church teaches on IFMs is a main challenge to those who enter into such marriages and their children. |
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