Baptism or no baptism...that is the question

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nolabeliever

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I have recently returned to the church, am in a traditional parish and loving every moment. I’m thankful God gave me the opportunity to return and I plan to take the RCIA classes this fall. I was baptized as a child, but I have been told that I will need to have it done again. I intend to do whatever I am instructed but am just curious if another baptism is common.
 
If there is any question that your first baptism was invalid…then the church will perform a baptism again to make sure you have been baptism in this life.

If there is evidence that you have been baptized properly…than no, they don’t baptize you again (you can only receive the sacrament once on your soul in any case).
God bless.
 
I wonder who actually told you this?
And did the person understand that you were baptized a Catholic?

If you know where you were baptized as a Catholic, you could obtain a copy of your Baptismal certificate to demonstrate the validity of your Baptism, in which case you do not need re-baptism.

“7. It remains clear, in any event, that the sacramental bond of belonging to the Body of Christ that is the Church, conferred by the baptismal character, is an ontological and permanent bond which is not lost by reason of any act or fact of defection.
With the certainty that the Bishops of your Conference, conscious of the salvific dimension of ecclesiastical communion, will well understand the pastoral motivations underlying these norms, I welcome this opportunity to renew my sentiments of fraternal esteem.
Faithfully yours in the Lord,
Julián Card. Herranz
President
Bruno Bertagna
Secretary
This notification was approved by the Supreme Pontiff, Benedict XVI, who directed that it be transmitted to all Presidents of Episcopal Conferences.”
 
Well, the baptism was done as an emergency precaution at birth due to some medical complications. I was delivered at a Catholic hospital and a staff member perform the baptism. I have no certificate to prove it, so apparently this is being done on a “just in case” basis.??? I wanted to say too that the Latin Mass is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced. I’m so looking forward to life in the Church, just so sorry I wasted several years without a real relationship with the Almighty.
 
It’s wonderful that you are now returning.
We are delighted for you,
and pray for God’s continuing blessings upon you!

Kind wishes and prayers,
Trishie
 
Yea, then that makes sense that they want to baptize you.

They want to make sure it is properly done (proper form and matter). It’s a matter of formality.

If the staff member intended to do what the church does when they baptized you, they poured water on your head and baptized in the Trinitarian form (father, son and holy spirit) …then it was a valid baptism and that is the one and only time you will receive those sacramental graces from this sacrament. They’re just going to do it again to make SURE you’re covered since it’s not documented.

God bless and welcome!
 
Thanks for the replies. Another question while I’m at it…I was married one time, had children and after 14 years she walked off. She was a protestant and I was not at fault in the divorce. But, I have no intention of re-marriage, honestly I don’t think I could ever feel good about a second marriage. For some reason I have gotten some pressure to pursue an anullment even though i have no intent to marry as long as my ex is living. Any ideas as to why someone would feel I should attempt an annulment?
 
I am wondering – if it would be a conditional baptism-- that is required in this circumstance. Even though – there is no certificate – a baptism was performed at the hospital.
 
Yes, as a matter of fact, a ‘conditional baptism’ is the way it was termed.
 
If it was a valid marriage - you have a spiritual obligation to her still (doesn’t mean you have to like her, talk with her, etc etc …but you have to Love her and pray for her and do what you can for her best interest ).

At some point you may wish to get married and it may be easier to get an annulment now rather than later when years may hinder the investigation into the relationship.

At some point you may wish to enter priesthood or religious life and therefore would need the annulment.

In either case…it’s good to know and define who we are in this life (for instance if we are married or not).

If you want to live a life of Truth… this may be a necessary step.

God Bless
 
yep. and it could have been TOTALY valid. If the above conditions where present (I mentioned in a recent post) … the baptizer intended to do what the church does when she baptizes, the baptize was in a state that required a conditional baptism, the Trinitarian formula was used and water (the matter) was used.

But because the Church was not witnessing it, and the baptize was a baby and can’t safely say the above was absolutely present…the church will baptize for safety sake. It’s done all the time in such circumstances or when people come from different Christiatn religions that aren’t as streamlined as we catholics or if they use improper form and .matter (Trinitarian form and water) OR if there’s even a question if the baptism was done properly
 
nolabeliever said:
Thanks for the replies. Another question while I’m at it…I was married one time, had children and after 14 years she walked off. She was a protestant and I was not at fault in the divorce. But, I have no intention of re-marriage, honestly I don’t think I could ever feel good about a second marriage. For some reason I have gotten some pressure to pursue an anullment even though i have no intent to marry as long as my ex is living. Any ideas as to why someone would feel I should attempt an annulment?
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I am in the process of an annulment. It takes time. A lot of time. The average here is about a year. The average in other places ranges from a year to up to 4 or 5 years.

None of us know what the future holds and if I were you I would do the annulment just in case. If you fall in love and marry again, unlikely as it seems now, then it’s already taken care of. If you stay celibate and single for the rest of your life then at least you are totally free.
 
Part of what the conditional baptism provides is a certificate to prove that you are baptized and therefore are Catholic. Without said document, you cannot prove that you are a Catholic.

I echo the comments of others regarding the annulment. It is a healing process, as well. You bleed a bit, but like confession, the benefits afterward are well worth it. 👍
 
nolabeliever said:
Thanks for the replies. Another question while I’m at it…I was married one time, had children and after 14 years she walked off. She was a protestant and I was not at fault in the divorce. But, I have no intention of re-marriage, honestly I don’t think I could ever feel good about a second marriage. For some reason I have gotten some pressure to pursue an anullment even though i have no intent to marry as long as my ex is living. Any ideas as to why someone would feel I should attempt an annulment?
Click to expand...
Annulments can take several years to process. You will have to have one if you ever you ever want to remarry in the Church. It would be a good idea to get one now, so you wouldn’t have to wait for one later, but that is optional.
 
nolabeliever said:
I have recently returned to the church, am in a traditional parish and loving every moment. I’m thankful God gave me the opportunity to return and I plan to take the RCIA classes this fall. I was baptized as a child, but I have been told that I will need to have it done again. I intend to do whatever I am instructed but am just curious if another baptism is common.
Click to expand...
There is no such thing as another Baptism 😉

What may happen is that the baptism you originally received was not valid. Which means it was so different from the apostolic Baptism that it only carried a similarity in the name and in the fact that water was used.

If the Church knows that the denomination you used to belong to has an invalid Baptism, she will give you this Sacrament, and it will be your first and only Baptism. This is done for everyone who converts from such denominations, as well as for those who embrace the Christian faith for the first time.
 
Chatter163 said:
Part of what the conditional baptism provides is a certificate to prove that you are baptized and therefore are Catholic. Without said document, you cannot prove that you are a Catholic.

I echo the comments of others regarding the annulment. It is a healing process, as well. You bleed a bit, but like confession, the benefits afterward are well worth it. 👍
Click to expand...
Wouldn’t the validity of the infant baptism play a big role in the determination of the validity of the marriage?
 
If the emergency baptism was done at a Catholic hospital it is usually registered at the closest parish. We had lots of them in a parish I used to work for. Find out which parish the hospital was closest to and check there.

Without a baptism certificate your marriage would be considered valid since they cannot prove defect of form without proof that you were a Catholic that was not married in a Catholic marriage rite. It gets complicated. The Tribunal when you apply for the decree of nullity would probably help you locate any proof that you were baptized at the hospital.
 
I am happy for you
Even if you are sure you will never remarry IF you think there is a chance for religious life you will need an annulment for that. A number of years ago I was surprised that a church friend had ever been married. She was content being single and serving for a couple of decades but then joined the Bendictines and had to get her long long ago short marriage annulled
 
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