Baptism Question

[Delaine75]

A friend of mine went through RCIA and was confirmed into the Catholic Church a couple of years ago. She really wants her son to be baptized but is of the understanding that in order to be baptized Catholic, he needs to attend RCIA classes (he’s almost 17). He’s willing and ready to be baptized but it’s too late to begin RCIA classes here. Her question is this: Can she get him baptized in another (non-Catholic) church NOW (and then he can take RCIA next fall to convert to Catholicism)? She’s quite concerned that if, God forbid, something should happen to him, that he won’t be baptized. Any advice?

 

[Razanir]

I don’t see why not. Remember, all that’s required for a valid Baptism is that it’s done with water and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At least in an emergency, anyone can baptize. That being said, I’m sure it’s still preferable to have it done in a Catholic Church, but again, I don’t see why this wouldn’t work. (Just don’t go to a Mormon temple. Their baptisms don’t count )

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

A friend of mine went through RCIA and was confirmed into the Catholic Church a couple of years ago. **She really wants her son to be baptized **but is of the understanding that in order to be baptized Catholic, he needs to attend RCIA classes (he’s almost 17).

What’s more important is how the son feels about it. Because he is over the age of reason, he has to consent.

If she is Catholic and her son wants to be Catholic, then he should go through RCIA and become Catholic, not some form of Protestant.

Baptism isn’t some form of magic. It’s not only for the remission of sins, but a method of becoming part of the Church. So mom and son should decide what church he wants to be part of.

Mom apparently never heard of baptism of desire. She should read her Catechism.

 

[buc_fan33]

I don’t see why not. Remember, all that’s required for a valid Baptism is that it’s done with water and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At least in an emergency, anyone can baptize. That being said, I’m sure it’s still preferable to have it done in a Catholic Church, but again, I don’t see why this wouldn’t work. (Just don’t go to a Mormon temple. Their baptisms don’t count )

Whoa there friend! There are some SERIOUS problems with this. While it is true that non-Catholic Baptisms are valid, this is not the right approach to take. To the OP, your friend’s son should wait, and go through RCIA next year. I know that’s not what he or she want to do, but it is the best solution. The Church has a process in place for a reason. As someone else said, Baptism, like all of the sacraments, is not magic. The very fact that he wants to be baptized would be grounds for a Christian burial if something tragic were to happen to him. It’s called “Baptism of desire.”

The Church is the proper dispenser of the sacraments. The sad reality that many have broken unity with Christ’s Mystical Body should not be used as a reason for someone to get baptized outside of the Church with the subsequent intention of later joining the Church.

 

[Razanir]

Whoa there friend! There are some SERIOUS problems with this. While it is true that non-Catholic Baptisms are valid, this is not the right approach to take. To the OP, your friend’s son should wait, and go through RCIA next year. I know that’s not what he or she want to do, but it is the best solution. The Church has a process in place for a reason. As someone else said, Baptism, like all of the sacraments, is not magic. The very fact that he wants to be baptized would be grounds for a Christian burial if something tragic were to happen to him. It’s called “Baptism of desire.”

The Church is the proper dispenser of the sacraments. The sad reality that many have broken unity with Christ’s Mystical Body should not be used as a reason for someone to get baptized outside of the Church with the subsequent intention of later joining the Church.

I never said she should do that, only that it would still be a valid Baptism. They should most certainly try to both be baptized in a Catholic Church

 

[buc_fan33]

I never said she should do that, only that it would still be a valid Baptism. They should most certainly try to both be baptized in a Catholic Church

Oh…sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[Delaine75]

Thanks very much for the responses! I’ll be sure and let her know. She is too shy to speak with her priest about it because she didn’t want him to assume her son doesn’t want to become Catholic, but I’ll definitely share your responses with her!