Dear Counsellor,

I am a mother of two children, aged two and four. I am Catholic, but I got married to a Muslim man against my parents’ wishes. We have had our ups and downs, but I stayed in the marriage.

Recently, I met a Catholic man, who says he loves me and is willing to take on both me and my children. He is in every dream of mine be it day or night. I also love him deeply. But I am afraid to show it to him because I am married. I am attracted to the Catholic man because we share the same religion, he is kind, honest and helpful.

If I died today I would die with the Catholic man’s name in my mind, in my heart and on my lips and I would risk anything to be with him. I love the Catholic so much that it hurts when I am forced to pretend I am not interested in him.

On the other hand, my husband is forcing me to convert to Islam, which I cannot do because I love my religion very much. I cry when I think of my dilemma. I am also scared that if I choose the Catholic man over my husband, the children would suffer because their father would stop giving them financial help.

What should I do?

Marita