When is a dispensation from canonical restrictions required to marry a non-Catholic?

• A. Always required for any interfaith marriage.
• B. When a Catholic seeks to marry a non-Catholic and a dispensation from disparity of cult is needed.
• C. Never required.
• D. Only required if the non-Catholic is Protestant.

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that when a Catholic intends to marry someone who is not Catholic, the Church requires a dispensation from disparity of cult. This dispensation acknowledges the difference in religious status between the spouses and allows the marriage to proceed validly within canonical norms. It’s not automatic in all interfaith situations—the dispensation is specifically required for a mixed Catholic/non-Catholic marriage and must be granted by the competent authority. It doesn’t depend on the other person’s specific denomination (it’s not limited to Protestants). If you don’t obtain this dispensation, the marriage wouldn’t have the proper canonical form for a Catholic party.