all.

*289 Q. Why does the Church forbid the marriage of Catholics with
persons who have a different religion or no religion at all?
A. The Church forbids the marriage of Catholics with persons who have a
different religion or no religion at all because such marriages
generally lead to indifference, loss of faith, and to the neglect of the
religious education of the children.

We know that nothing has so bad an influence upon people as bad company.
Now, when a Catholic marries one who is not a Catholic, he or she is
continually associated with one who in most cases ignores the true
religion, or speaks at least with levity of its devotions and practices.
The Catholic party may resist this evil influence for a time, but will,
if not very steadfast in the faith, finally yield to it, and, tired of
numerous disputes in defense of religious rights, will become more and
more indifferent, gradually give up the practice of religion, and
probably terminate with complete loss of faith or apostasy from the true
religion. We know that the children of Seth were good till they married
the children of Cain, and then they also became wicked; for, remember,
there is always more likelihood that the bad will pervert the good, than
that the good will convert the bad. Besides the disputes occasioned
between husband and wife by the diversity of their religion, their
families and relatives, being also of different religions, will seldom
be at peace or on friendly terms with one another. Then the children can
scarcely be brought up in the true religion; for the father may wish
them to attend one church, and the mother another, and to settle the
dispute they will attend neither. Besides, if they have before them the
evil example of a father or mother speaking disparagingly of the true
religion, or perhaps ridiculing all religion, it is not likely they will
be imbued with great respect and veneration for holy things. There is
still another reason why Catholics should dread mixed marriages. If the
one who is not a Catholic loses regard for his or her obligations,
becomes addicted to any vice, and is leading a bad life, the Catholic
party has no means of reaching the root of the evil, no hope that the
person may take the advice of the priest, or go to confession or do any
of those things that could effect a change in the heart and life of a
Catholic. For all these very good reasons and others besides, the Church
opposes mixed marriages, as they ar