[sinkspur]

I am not, however, distressed that 30% of Catholics who do marry in the Church marry a non-Catholic. in fact, it's a great thing if their priests are insisting that the non-Catholic converts.

I don't believe that most priests (or deacons, for that matter) are insisting that non-Catholics who marry Catholics convert. In fact, I'm sure they're not.

To require that as a condition for marriage would likely be grounds for an annulment later, if the marriage failed.

[dangus]

Actually, to FAIL to require conversion before marriage is grounds for annulment. I'm not sure about religions which are close to Catholicism (Orthodox), but if you're married to someone who is not in communion with the church, that person cannot even receive Eucharist at the wedding mass. And how can one half of a union be in communion and the other half not?