Baptism - What would you do?/What is allowed?

[Truth_Faith13]

I am currently 6 months pregnant and would like to have my baby baptised. My husband is an atheist and we were married in a church of England church. I’m Christian currently not attending a church as don’t feel as though I can go back to protestantism. I am very interested in Catholicism but I’m not at the point where I am ready to be catholic.

My original thought was to have him baptised where we were married but then part of me feels wrong because I think the C of E is way off course. Then I have people who are expecting to be godparents. As neither of us are catholic, I’m assuming that wouldnt be allowed and it would mean those expecting to be couldnt be godparents. I don’t actually know a practising catholic and only one non practising (I think!). Obviously the evangelical church I used to attend doesnt support infant baptism.

What would you do in this situation?

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Congratulations on the baby!

I think that you are on the right track spiritually. I would start going to Mass and reading about Catholicism. Ask to speak to an experienced pastor and ask his advice.

I would NOT worry about what those expecting to be godparents think. Christian Baptism is not a social event, it is much more important.

 

[Abundant]

If you were to have your child baptized Catholic, then you are committing that child to be raised Catholic. If you yourself are not a practicing Catholic, and you are not at the point of wanting to convert and raise him/her that way, then you should not baptize them in a Catholic Church. I would recommend talking to a local Catholic priest. Tell him you are interested in learning more and join RCIA. Then, if you convert (and we hope you will ), you can have your child baptized. Children under 7 years old do not have to attend classes to receive baptism. I may be wrong, so definitely talk to a priest to confirm,

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Congrats on your pregnancy

One parent must be Catholic for the baby to be baptised.

I second the suggestion that you find a priest and ask about this situation. I’m sure they will have an idea on what to do when the baby is born.

I just want to mention something that is important to know. In case you decide to wait with the baptism but find yourself at a situation where the child’s life is in imminent danger and there is no time to call a priest, you can baptise him yourself. It must be done using clean water and in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

 

[CatholicRaven]

I absolutely agree with speaking to a priest. That will be more specific advice for your situation than probably anything we can give you here. (And if the priest disagrees with or contradicts anything I state below, your best bet is to go with what the priest says!)

The pastor is required to have a “well-founded hope” that the child will be brought up in the Catholic faith before he agrees to baptize him/her as an infant. Also, even if your husband does not desire to become Catholic himself, he should at least be agreeable to allowing you to bring the child(ren) up in the Catholic faith.

For those who expect to be Godparents, you might discuss what they think being a “Godparent” really means. Do they know what a Godparent is actually called to do, or do they think it’s something else, something more “secular” or honorary? For instance, some people think being a Godparent is about taking care of your children if something happens to you (as in a “legal guardian”). Others think being a Godparent is just a kind of honorary social title–sort of like being “chosen” as the “favorite uncle” or something. Still others think it’s about being a role model of the Christian faith (which is sort of on the right track, at least).

In the Catholic Church, a Godparent agrees to assist the parent(s) in bringing the child up in the Catholic faith. Therefore, at least one Godparent should be a Confirmed, practicing Catholic.

One of the questions asked of the parent(s) and Godparent(s) during the baptism is this (or similar):
***Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting? * ** (The answer you’ll give is, “I do.”) Most non-Catholics would have a difficult time truthfully and publicly making this statement. So explaining this to them may help.

With all of that said, as I understand it, one of the Godparents may, at the discretion of the priest, be a non-Catholic Christian.