Question: I am a Christian and my husband is a Catholic.
He doesn't attend church, partly due to the tension that religion
brought between us. He is tied to the Catholic Church because it was the
“first” and “one true” church and because of his ties to his
Catholic family. The division has caused problems with our children. Our
daughter really doesn't believe in any church since we haven’t
attended any church because of our division. Our son has taken on more
of the Catholic tradition, perhaps out of fear of disappointing his
father and his grandparents. I pray for the day when my husband opens
his eyes to the truth. In the meantime, all I can do is pray and serve
God as best I can, quietly, and without attending any church out of fear
of causing more heartache at home.
Answer: You find yourself in a very delicate situation; may God
give you wisdom and strength from above.
First of all, please read and meditate on the following passage of
Scripture that addresses your situation, and may God
give you the grace to take His Word to heart and obey it:
"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even
if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the
conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct
accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging
the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be
the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a
gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For
in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also
adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah
obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good
and are not afraid with any terror" (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Be careful not to irritate and annoy your husband by constantly
trying to convert him by preaching to him and other methods. Notice, how
Peter says that believing wives may win
their husband " without the word" by their good example. Trust God's
Word in this!
Do your very best to be a godly wife and mother (and that includes
asking forgiveness when needed, and freely forgiving also). Enjoy the
companionship of your husband and your children. Enjoy time with the
extended family also.
Your spiritual behaviour should not be determined by fear about
causing disunity. You should attend church, at least on the Lord's Day
because the Bible commands us to do so. You should have a chat with your
husband, acknowledge that you two have different religious beliefs, and
yet, you should allow each other to follow his/her conscience in this
matter. Your husband should go to the Catholic mass, if he so chooses;
hopefully he would be understanding enough and allow you too to attend a
service on Sunday in an Evangelical church.
Both of you should spend time together daily in prayer, to thank the
Lord for His gifts, to pray for your children, for each other and your
families. Your husband does not have to leave the Catholic Church before
you can do that. Maybe later, you may also agree to read a short portion
of the Bible together. Don’t use the occasion to preach to him. God's
Word is powerful to speak to the heart. You learn to be patient! You
will find yourself coming closer to God, and to one other too.
I know that all this is easier said than done. May God give you the
grace to patiently follow His Word. Who knows, you may see your husband
come to Christ, and your children and extended family blessed as well.
Certainly God will bless you beyond measure if you remain faithful to
Him.