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Sat 05 May 2004Vatican warns Catholics on marriage to a Muslim manThe Vatican yesterday advised Catholic women to think hard before marrying a Muslim, while calling on the Islamic world to show a "growing awareness" for fundamental liberties, including "the equal dignity of man and woman", writes Paddy Agnew in Rome.Prepared by the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Refugees and presented yesterday in the Vatican by Japanese Cardinal Stephen Fumio Hamao, the document sees immigration as a largely positive phenomenon that generates genuine inter-religious dialogue. However, in relation to inter-religious marriages, it expresses grave reservations, arguing that "marriage between Catholics and non-Christian migrants should be discouraged".