Baptism and Tribal Names

[StCsDavid]

We had a bit of an embarrassing situation last night that I would like some (name removed by moderator)ut on. A gentleman whose parents are from Nigeria and gave him a traditional Nigerian name was informed by our pastor that he could not be baptized with his given name because it was of a tribal origin and that he had to choose a Christian name instead. He was bit upset as his first name honored his father and it was as if the pastor was saying that his father’s name was not good enough for us Catholics.

I’m not sure where to go to get the official teaching on this matter. Any help is much appreciated. The gentleman went ahead with the baptism, but I could tell it really put a dark spot on the experience for him. I was hoping to find a good explanation for the church teaching on this.

 

[John_Lilburne]

I think the priest was incorrect in doing this. The choosing of a new name for an adult seems optional.

The book “Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults” has:

“CHOOSING A BAPTISMAL NAME
187 The rite of choosing a baptismal name may be celebrated on Holy Saturday, unless it was included in the rite of acceptance into the order of catechumens (see no. 73). The elect may choose a new name, which is either a traditional Christian name or a name of regional usage that is not incompatible with Christian beliefs. Where it seems better suited to the circumstances and the elect are not too numerous, the naming may consist simply in an explanation of the given name of each of the elect.”

(This is from the edition used in England and Australia. In the Latin edition it is n. 203. In the USA edition, it is n. 200. It is in The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 142).

Again in the ceremony, with the USA number:
“NAMING OF THE ELECT
202. If as baptismal names the elect have chosen new names, option A is used; if they are to use their given names option B is used.
A. The celebrant asks each of the elect to state the new name chosen; then he says the following or similar words
No, from now on you will [also] be called N.
The elect responds by saying “Amen” or in some other suitable way.
B. The celebrant applies some Christian interpretation to the given name of each of the elect.”

Contrast this with the Rite of Baptism for Children.
“37. First the celebrant questions the parents of each child.
Celebrant: What name do you give your child? (or have you given?)
Parents: N.”
(The Rites Volume One, Liturgical Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-8146-6015-0, page 376).

The Code of Canon Law has in canon 855, about baptism: “Parents, sponsors and parish priests are to take care that a name is not given which is foreign to christian sentiment.”
(The Code of Canon Law: New revised English Translation, HarperCollins Liturgical, 1997, ISBN 000599375X.)

Even if the priest was correct, the timing of the confrontation was poor.

 

[jmcrae]

It is strongly recommended that persons seeking to enter the Church take Christian names, if they don’t already have Christian names. Around here, this seems to be up to the candidates, though, since we have several converts with pagan and atheist names, who never took Christian names at Confirmation. (How does Marx Nietzsche Smith and Forest Glade Johnson grab you? But neither of them were required to take Christian names, so I don’t know what’s up with that.)

 

[StCsDavid]

Thanks for your response. Yes, the timing was dreadful, literally ten minutes before the Easter Vigil was to start. I’ll find a way to charitably share this with the pastor and our new brother in the faith.

 

[dylanschrader]

The Code of Canon Law says about the baptismal name:

Can. 855 Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name foreign to Christian sensibility is not given.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We had a bit of an embarrassing situation last night that I would like some (name removed by moderator)ut on. A gentleman whose parents are from Nigeria and gave him a traditional Nigerian name was informed by our pastor that he could not be baptized with his given name because it was of a tribal origin and that he had to choose a Christian name instead. He was bit upset as his first name honored his father and it was as if the pastor was saying that his father’s name was not good enough for us Catholics.

I’m not sure where to go to get the official teaching on this matter. Any help is much appreciated. The gentleman went ahead with the baptism, but I could tell it really put a dark spot on the experience for him. I was hoping to find a good explanation for the church teaching on this.

I wish I had known you were in this situation a few months ago.

I would recomend even now after the fact a book. I have read a few times and used in RCIA team development (Pg 69-74). Others have “borrowed” it and not wanted to return it until they could get their own copy.

Christianity Rediscovered
by Vincent J. Donovan
published by Orbis

amazon.com/Christianity-Rediscovered-Vincent-J-Donovan/dp/1570754624/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5647338-3927041?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176073035&sr=1-1

 

[StCsDavid]

I wish I had known you were in this situation a few months ago.

I would recomend even now after the fact a book. I have read a few times and used in RCIA team development (Pg 69-74). Others have “borrowed” it and not wanted to return it until they could get their own copy.

Christianity Rediscovered
by Vincent J. Donovan
published by Orbis

amazon.com/Christianity-Rediscovered-Vincent-J-Donovan/dp/1570754624/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-5647338-3927041?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1176073035&sr=1-1

Thanks Br. Rich…I’ll pick up a copy.

 

[OutinChgoburbs]

Semi-sort-of-off-track-

A certain philosophy professor of our acquaintance is Catholic (always has been) and Nigerian. He has a tribal name, what the tribe uses as a surname, and the baptismal name of a saint (HINT: A big angel who defends us in battle- and this man is one of the best users of aristolean logic to win a discussion that I ever met).