Additional Baptism in Mixed Faith Marriages

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EmergencyOps

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I understand that the Catholic Church believes in only one baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Is it an issue for Catholics if a child is baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant, and then later baptized in a believer’s baptism in another denomination?:confused:

If the Catholic only believes in one baptism, then the second one is not vaild in their eyes (and the Church’s eyes). In theory, then, it shouldn’t be an issue. To the Catholic, it is just someone being submerged in water, nothing more nothing less. To the parent of the other faith, the first one was never valid if they don’t believe in infant baptism. To that person the infant baptism was merely a baby dedication of sorts.

-Mark
 
Actually, it would indicate that the person has left the church. In order to have another baptism, of any sort, you are saying that you no longer accept the first as being valid. It is the same as taking a profession of faith in another denomination.

Mark, do not get me wrong. I understand the thought process that you are having. My ex is Lutherin and our son is between the two faiths. He is 6, about to be 7, and he is beginning to see the differences in our faith. I am not sure where he will end up, but he has a lot of Catholic tendencies. My ex is not opposed to him being Catholic, per se, although her husband has issues with the Catholic Church. Actually, he is Church of God, I think, and has issues with everyone.

What you need to couple to the infant’s baptism is the sacrament of Confirmation. At that time, the person, in their own voice, states that they accept Jesus and desire union with the Church.

You have already expressed the important part: that you desire to raise a child that is “churched.” I am glad that you are not falling into the “neither one and let them pick later” mentallity.
 
what is an issue for a Catholic is, at what age was the second “baptism” done. If the child formally left the Catholic Church as an adult to seek baptism in an another denomination, with full knowledge and free will choice, that is a serious sin called “formal defection” and may, depending on circumstances, require a canonical process beyond confession if ever he wishes to return to the Chuch.
 
EmergencyOps said:
I understand that the Catholic Church believes in only one baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Is it an issue for Catholics if a child is baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant, and then later baptized in a believer’s baptism in another denomination?:confused:

If the Catholic only believes in one baptism, then the second one is not vaild in their eyes (and the Church’s eyes). In theory, then, it shouldn’t be an issue. To the Catholic, it is just someone being submerged in water, nothing more nothing less. To the parent of the other faith, the first one was never valid if they don’t believe in infant baptism. To that person the infant baptism was merely a baby dedication of sorts.

-Mark
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I think a more important issue for you is how are you going to raise the child–in which faith because both would be extremely difficult and confusing for the child.

I had my son baby baptized because that is what I knew growing up. Plus I also had him baby dedicated at a baptist church because I knew better about infant baptism.

Now, at 9, he has just accepted the Lord :extrahappy: and I would like him to be baptized as a believer.

I figure I have him covered:thumbsup:

OK back to the catholics answers.😉 Im not catholic sorry–although hubby is but he doesnt go to church and could care less how I raise the children.
 
ALLFORHIM said:
I think a more important issue for you is how are you going to raise the child–in which faith because both would be extremely difficult and confusing for the child.

I had my son baby baptized because that is what I knew growing up. Plus I also had him baby dedicated at a baptist church because I knew better about infant baptism.

Now, at 9, he has just accepted the Lord :extrahappy: and I would like him to be baptized as a believer.

I figure I have him covered:thumbsup:

OK back to the catholics answers.😉 Im not catholic sorry–although hubby is but he doesnt go to church and could care less how I raise the children.
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That sounds like what I’m considering doing. A lot of Catholics are like your husband. They’re Catholic on paper but little else. I guess that kinda makes them a non-practicing Catholic? Or maybe not a Catholic at all. Beats me. You confuse me though… You said that you had your son baby baptised because that is what you knew growing up…but then you say that you had him dedicated because you ‘knew better’ about infant baptism.

-Mark
 
this is info for non-Catholic parents married to a Catholic, whether or not he practices the faith especially to a nominal Catholic who is interested in Catholic baptism for the child only because of relatives pushing it. I state it simply to make you aware of facts you may not know.

If you baptize the child Catholic you must promise to raise the child in the faith. That does not allow for any teaching of non-Catholic doctrine, addional baptism, confirmation in another church, etc. Furthermore, you bind this child to Catholic canon law for the rest of his life, including the Church laws on marriage. That is very unfair to do that to a child, yet fail to educate him in the faith, its doctrines, and its laws. So that he finds out as an adult, when he wants to marry (or divorce) that he is bound by laws he was never taught and does not understand. Irresponsible is the kindest word I can think of off hand.
 
ALLFORHIM said:
Now, at 9, he has just accepted the Lord :extrahappy: and I would like him to be baptized as a believer.
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And as Catholics, we would consider that his Confirmation. He finally can speak on his own behalf and at Confirmation, that is what Catholics do, completing what was started at his baptism.

Peace,

Kelly
 
kell0618 said:
And as Catholics, we would consider that his Confirmation. He finally can speak on his own behalf and at Confirmation, that is what Catholics do, completing what was started at his baptism.

Peace,

Kelly
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Yes I was taught the same thing as an episcopalian. But, after studying the bible I do not believe infant baptism does a thing for you.

But the important thing is that he did make a profession of faith on his own.😃
 
EmergencyOps said:
That sounds like what I’m considering doing. A lot of Catholics are like your husband. They’re Catholic on paper but little else. I guess that kinda makes them a non-practicing Catholic? Or maybe not a Catholic at all. Beats me. You confuse me though… You said that you had your son baby baptised because that is what you knew growing up…but then you say that you had him dedicated because you ‘knew better’ about infant baptism.

-Mark
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Hi,
I was raised episcopalian so I was raised with baby baptism. I was only saved a few years before my son was born. Between my mom and my catholic in-laws, I figure I better just get my son baptized. I went through the ceremony(which was in the park, it was nice)picked godparents ,had the party afterwards. Old habits die hard.:o

But, I also wanted to dedicate him at the baptist church I was attending because this is what I felt was the right thing to do.

When you are raised one way and then later discover truth–it is really hard to shake the old way of doing things.:o
 
ALLFORHIM said:
When you are raised one way and then later discover truth–it is really hard to shake the old way of doing things.:o
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😦 Your son has already been baptized, born again of water and spirit as a child of God. 🙂 God bless you for raising him as a Christian, and I wish you God’s blessing as you teach him to withstand the ways of the world and live a life of holiness.

But he has already been baptized. One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

That is the truth.

❤️ Love is Patient
 
Love_is_Patient said:
😦 Your son has already been baptized, born again of water and spirit as a child of God. 🙂
But he has already been baptized. One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

That is the truth.

❤️ Love is Patient
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Thank you–I understand this is your belief–it is not mine.🤷 I just dont believe baptism save or gives you grace. I believe baptism is something you do !. because Christ commanded it and 2. to show the world you believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior.😉
 
ALLFORHIM said:
Thank you–I understand this is your belief–it is not mine.🤷 I just dont believe baptism save or gives you grace.
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ALLFORHIM

Truth is truth whether you chose to believe it or not. God bless you.
Is it an issue for Catholics if a child is baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant, and then later baptized in a believer’s baptism in another denomination?
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I think this has been answered, yes it is an issue in the eyes of the Church as you said yourself, the Church believes in one baptism.

However I have to ask since it seems to me that you are not Catholic, why do you care what we think at all? If the Church believes that it is an issue why do you care? I guess I just don’t have enough of the story.

God bless
 
ALLFORHIM said:
Hi,
I was raised episcopalian so I was raised with baby baptism. I was only saved a few years before my son was born. Between my mom and my catholic in-laws, I figure I better just get my son baptized. I went through the ceremony(which was in the park, it was nice)picked godparents ,had the party afterwards. Old habits die hard.:o

But, I also wanted to dedicate him at the baptist church I was attending because this is what I felt was the right thing to do.

When you are raised one way and then later discover truth–it is really hard to shake the old way of doing things.:o
Click to expand...
10-4 👍 Old habits do die hard.

-Mark
 
Truth is truth whether you chose to believe it or not. God bless you.
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Yes I agree and God Bless to you as well.😃
I think this has been answered, yes it is an issue in the eyes of the Church as you said yourself, the Church believes in one baptism.
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However I have to ask since it seems to me that you are not Catholic, why do you care what we think at all? If the Church believes that it is an issue why do you care? I guess I just don’t have enough of the story.
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This was not me talking.😉
 
Roman_Catholic said:
ALLFORHIM
I think this has been answered, yes it is an issue in the eyes of the Church as you said yourself that the Church believes in one baptism.

However I have to ask since it seems to me that you are not Catholic, why do you care what we think at all? If the Church believes that it is an issue why do you care? I guess I just don’t have enough of the story.

God bless
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Good question. I care because my girlfriend cares. It doesn’t change what I believe, but I would like to know for her sake.

-Mark
 
EmergencyOps said:
Good question. I care because my girlfriend cares. It doesn’t change what I believe, but I would like to know for her sake.

-Mark
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I see, well then I guess you have your answer then. I am glad to see you taking an interest in your GF’s faith and caring about it. Keep an open mind 👍

Your girlfriend and you will be in my prayers.

God bless
 
Roman_Catholic said:
I see, well then I guess you have your answer then. I am glad to see you taking an interest in your GF’s faith and caring about it. Keep an open mind 👍

Your girlfriend and you will be in my prayers.

God bless
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Thank you for your answers and for your kindness. She needs prayers. She is a poorly-Catechized cradle Catholic. I have learned a lot in RCIA, and I teach her what I can in a slow, easy manner. She gets upset with me sometimes when what I tell her about Catholic dogma and beliefs contradicts what she is practicing.

-Mark
 
EmergencyOps said:
She needs prayers. She is a poorly-Catechized cradle Catholic.
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She won’t be the first you will meet. 😉 My family, sadly, is full of them.
I have learned a lot in RCIA, and I teach her what I can in a slow, easy manner.
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I am the same way with my wife. She comes from an evangelical upraising and it is a fine line line between being respectful towards her childhood faith and what she believed back then and trying to teach her about the Catholic faith. So I understand both you and your GF’s frustration.

God bless you
 
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