If you have had a strict Catholic upbringing it will seem daunting indeed to consider introducing a partner from a different Christian faith, let alone another religion altogether. You must ask yourself whether you have the strength to put your happiness first and accept whatever criticism may come your way, be that at home, at church and perhaps with your friends too.

A lasting happy relationship has to be based on your compatibility and mutual respect, for yourselves and your religion. Only you can know whether the additional pressures of dating outside the Catholic faith is something you’re prepared for in your search for the ideal partner.

The important questions you both need to consider include whether you respect each other’s religious differences and will not try to exert control one over the other. If you have a long term relationship in mind that may include children at some stage then it will help you to consider up front how you intend to raise them, and knowing that their upbringing is unlikely to be as strict as yours may have been.

We all know that faith differences have brought much pain over the years, but perhaps the time is with us at last to put these differences behind us, especially when it comes to finding love.