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Many complexities and difficulties accompany "mixed marriages", i.e. between a Catholic and a baptized non-Catholic. These difficulties, the Catechism says, "must not be underestimated. They arise from the fact that the separation of Christians has not yet been overcome. The spouses risk experiencing the tragedy of Christian disunity even in the heart of their own home" (1634). According to Church law, such marriages cannot be licitly contracted without the express permission of the proper authority (usually the local bishop), who is not to grant it unless the Catholic party is ready to protect his or her own faith and sincerely promises to do all in their power to have the children baptized and educated as Catholics (cf. cc. 1124-25).

            God's law itself, and not just canon law, would forbid such marriages if the Catholic party is weak in his or her faith, and there is real danger that their partner may draw them completely away from it. There is no greater loss than the loss of faith.

            By the same token, there is no greater gift than the gift of faith. It is logical therefore that the very love of the Catholic party for his or her spouse - whose freedom they must fully respect - serves as an inspiration to pray and work sincerely so that they may come to embrace that fullness of Christ's message and gifts which are to be found in the Catholic Church.