The NIMMA publication "Celebrating the Success, Evaluating the Impact" provides useful hisdtorical insights into the changes in society over the years before and after NIMMA became active in the early 1970's.
The following extract highlights changes in relation to marriages:
"On Marriage …
In the first half of the 20th century, there were cases in Ireland where the non-Catholic spouse was brought to trial and convicted for not keeping the ‘promises’ and therefore guilty of neglecting one’s children and conversion was considered to be
the easier route when choosing to marry someone of a different tradition Thankfully, the requirements regarding the promises were relaxed substantially in 1970 with
the passage of Matrimonia Mixta requiring the Catholic partner to only do what was in one’s power to do, within the marriage, to raising one’s children as Catholic. Intentionally vague, the ruling allowed for flexibility of interpretation that was of benefit to mixed marriage couples. However, it took another thirteen years (1983) before it became enacted and enforced by authorities within the Irish Roman Catholic Church."
The publication also addresses a range of other issues including sectarianism, inter-marriage, housing, inter-communion and traces the changes in society through the experiences of individual people as they seek to put love before traditional tribal allegiences. The report also highlights the continuing need for NIMMA:
"On Baptism …
While the ability to get married has become easier over the years, the issue of baptisms has become more difficult. As couples no longer convert in order to be a single-tradition family, the desire to baptise their children into both traditions is a natural consequence. In the early days, ecumenical or joint baptisms that were concelebrated were done in much greater frequency. However, in the last 15-20 years the ability to baptize one’s children in this manner has become more difficult as church authorities have frowned upon joint baptisms…". |