DEAR ABBY: My husband, "Greg," and I dated five years before we married two years ago. Greg is Catholic and I am Southern Baptist. His family was aware of our religious differences from the beginning. We were completely candid that neither of us would convert from our religions, and that our children would be raised Baptist until they were old enough to decide otherwise.
On our wedding day, no one from Greg's family showed up, and I watched tears stream down my husband's face on what should have been the happiest day of his life. It has been very difficult ever since. His parents christened our child at their home without Greg's or my consent. There have been other problems -- too numerous to mention.
The last straw came three months ago. Greg's older sibling was also married in a non-Catholic church. This time, the entire family, including us, attended.
The problem with Greg's parents has caused a major strain on our marriage. We have invited them over on numerous occasions to hash out our differences, but they have never showed up. After our last attempt, they said they had nothing else to talk to us about.
Abby, I feel no love lost because of their absence, and my toddler really doesn't know them anyway. However, I am concerned about my husband's feelings. He and my child mean the world to me. I don't want my marriage to suffer. I'm worried that if this continues much longer, I'll lose my temper with the situation. Can you help us? -- LOSING MY COOL IN GEORGIA
DEAR LOSING MY COOL: For your in-laws to have baptized your baby behind your back was wrong. I find it interesting that both children of these staunch Catholic parents have married out of the faith.
If there is a parish priest in your husband's background with whom he is comfortable enough to discuss this situation, he should ask the priest to serve as a bridge to his parents. If that isn't possible, there may be other factors besides the religious differences that have led to their estrangement. Should that be the case, you and your husband must face the fact that YOU are each other's family. "Shake off the dust from your feet," and walk away before any further damage is done.