On The Patrick Madrid Show, Vivian from Orange County calls in to ask a question many Catholic parents face: What should I do when my kids start dating non-Catholics?
Vivian explains that she has three children – one son engaged to a Catholic, another dating someone outside the faith, and a daughter in a relationship with a young man from a different Christian background. While the relationships seem healthy, she admits she feels uneasy about the challenges that can arise when core beliefs aren’t shared.
Patrick reminds her that while it’s natural for young people to be attracted to people of different faiths, the Catholic Church has always advised that marriage works best when husband and wife share the same foundation in Christ and the sacraments. Shared faith lowers the risk of conflict later on, especially when raising children.
Patrick also shares a personal story: one of his daughters once dated a young man who wasn’t practicing the Catholic faith. She told him clearly, “I don’t want to marry a non-Catholic.” That honest conversation inspired him to take RCIA classes at their parish, where he discovered the richness of Catholic teaching. He eventually entered the Church – not just for her, but because he fell in love with Christ. Today, the two are happily married and active in the faith together.
Patrick encourages Vivian that her daughter’s strong commitment to Catholicism could actually be a blessing in this relationship. If she stays grounded in prayer, anchored in the sacraments, and honest about her expectations, her witness might inspire her boyfriend to seek truth for himself.
At the same time, Patrick cautions that if a Catholic is weak in their own faith, dating across denominations can be spiritually risky. But with a solid foundation, open communication, and parental guidance, God can use even these situations to bring people closer to Him.
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