baptism

[forgetmenot]

First, apologies if this thread got posted somewhere else a few days ago… I can’t find it anywhere, so I guess it’s in cyberspace…

Ok, so here’s the question. My first grandchild will be born any day now. My daughter, raised Catholic, did not marry in the Catholic Church, to my dismay. I think she went that route just to get married near her reception site, and because she didn’t want to go through the process, etc… plus, her spouse is of another Christian faith. The obvious thing is she doesn’t practice anything right now, though I tend to believe she’ll go to another faith. So now I’m concerned their child won’t be raised Catholic. When I was a youngster in Catholic grammar school, they advised us that we could baptize someone in case of emergency. My question is, if I personally baptize this child, will she indeed be Catholic? I would not tell my daughter this, or the child, until such time it would become their worth knowing - don’t ask me when that would be, 'cuz I don’t have an answer yet. I had a relative who also did this - don’t know if she ever told the child, either, but it was many years ago.

Thanks for you (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[LilyM]

First, apologies if this thread got posted somewhere else a few days ago… I can’t find it anywhere, so I guess it’s in cyberspace…

Ok, so here’s the question. My first grandchild will be born any day now. My daughter, raised Catholic, did not marry in the Catholic Church, to my dismay. I think she went that route just to get married near her reception site, and because she didn’t want to go through the process, etc… plus, her spouse is of another Christian faith. The obvious thing is she doesn’t practice anything right now, though I tend to believe she’ll go to another faith. So now I’m concerned their child won’t be raised Catholic. When I was a youngster in Catholic grammar school, they advised us that we could baptize someone in case of emergency. My question is, if I personally baptize this child, will she indeed be Catholic? I would not tell my daughter this, or the child, until such time it would become their worth knowing - don’t ask me when that would be, 'cuz I don’t have an answer yet. I had a relative who also did this - don’t know if she ever told the child, either, but it was many years ago.

Thanks for you (name removed by moderator)ut.

You can’t baptise a child without the consent of its parents except in an emergency situation (eg where the child is in danger of death and the parents aren’t around to ask or something).

In any event a priest wouldn’t and shouldn’t baptise a child unless there’s a reasonable chance of that child being raised Catholic - which refers to how the child is likely to be taught as they grow up, and not just which church it is baptised in. In this case it looks like that isn’t a likelihood. If a Catholic priest wouldn’t and shouldn’t baptise your grandchild then you shouldn’t either.

Finally - ANY child who is baptised using water and the Trinitarian formula (“in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”) - is validly baptised according to the Catholic church, even if the actual minister is of another denomination or not Christian at all! Such a baptism indeed makes a child part of Christ’s own body, even if they’re not consciously becoming Catholic by doing so.

So if your grandchild is baptised in another church, there’s nothing to worry about, if it’s a Trinitarian baptism.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

First, apologies if this thread got posted somewhere else a few days ago… I can’t find it anywhere, so I guess it’s in cyberspace…

Ok, so here’s the question. My first grandchild will be born any day now. My daughter, raised Catholic, did not marry in the Catholic Church, to my dismay. I think she went that route just to get married near her reception site, and because she didn’t want to go through the process, etc… plus, her spouse is of another Christian faith. The obvious thing is she doesn’t practice anything right now, though I tend to believe she’ll go to another faith. So now I’m concerned their child won’t be raised Catholic. When I was a youngster in Catholic grammar school, they advised us that we could baptize someone in case of emergency. My question is, if I personally baptize this child, will she indeed be Catholic? I would not tell my daughter this, or the child, until such time it would become their worth knowing - don’t ask me when that would be, 'cuz I don’t have an answer yet. I had a relative who also did this - don’t know if she ever told the child, either, but it was many years ago.

Thanks for you (name removed by moderator)ut.

Yes, if you Baptize the child under EMERGENCY conditions because she is in danger of death and a priest or deacon cannot arrive in time. She would indeed be Catholic and subject to the laws of the Church if she were to survive.

You are required to report the Emergency Baptism to the nearest Catholic parish so that they can record it in their parish Baptismal records. If she survives, you will need to bring her to the parish so that the remaining Rites of Baptism may be supplied, the anointing with Sacred Chrism, the white garment, the Baptismal candle, the Godparents, etc.

 

[forgetmenot]

Ok. Then next question, should they turn around and decide to raise the child Catholic, does the ‘Trinitarian’ baptism ‘hold water’ with the Catholic Church, so that the child could receive Holy Communion in later life? Or will she have to receive Baptism through the Catholic Church so that the Catholic Church will have it on record? I understand there is only one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, but will the Catholic Church recognize the legitimacy of a baptism done outside the faith?

Thanks, again.

 

[LilyM]

Ok. Then next question, should they turn around and decide to raise the child Catholic, does the ‘Trinitarian’ baptism ‘hold water’ with the Catholic Church, so that the child could receive Holy Communion in later life? Or will she have to receive Baptism through the Catholic Church so that the Catholic Church will have it on record? I understand there is only one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, but will the Catholic Church recognize the legitimacy of a baptism done outside the faith?

Thanks, again.

Absolutely it holds water (nice pun ). The sacrament is effected whenever water and the correct formula are used with the intent to baptise, regardless of the denomination of the minister. Someone baptised, say, by an Episcopalian minister (they use the same formula as we do), who converts to Catholicism, won’t need to be baptised again.

Having said that, to receive any of the further sacraments (reconciliation, Communion and so on) the convert will need detailed instruction, not just in these sacraments, but in the Catholic faith as a whole, appropriate to their age and level of understanding, of course.

 

[notsmart]

A water baptism done in the Triune formula is what Father told me works even if its Lutheran. Or another non catholic (but not a cult) denom.

 

[LilyM]

A water baptism done in the Triune formula is what Father told me works even if its Lutheran. Or another non catholic (but not a cult) denom.

Even a Hindu, Muslim or atheist can validly baptise - what matters is that they intend to make that child a member of the Christian faith.

Just read the original post - you said a friend of yours baptised their grandchild or some other child? That baptism needs to be reported to the local parish, the local Catholic one assuming that they are Catholic, so that it can be registered. Since the child, it seems, will be Catholic and shouldn’t be baptised again elsewhere, and should be instructed in the faith and receive the sacraments.

Meaning, of course, that the parents will probably find out.

 

[notsmart]

Even a Hindu, Muslim or atheist can validly baptise - what matters is that they intend to make that child a member of the Christian faith.

I was not talking about unusual circumstances, which yes, those would be fine. That’s certainly not the way normally it would be done. Parents would arrange in advance with the parish to have this done, and even a class. There are godparent considerations most people would take in mind also. IF they are kinda normal that is.

 

[LilyM]

I was not talking about unusual circumstances, which yes, those would be fine. That’s certainly not the way normally it would be done. Parents would arrange in advance with the parish to have this done, and even a class. There are godparent considerations most people would take in mind also. IF they are kinda normal that is.

Well, under Canon Law, normally a child of Catholic parents shouldn’t be baptised by a Lutheran or any other minister than a Catholic priest or deacon, when it boils down to it, so I didn’t think you were speaking of ‘ordinary’ circumstances.

 

[notsmart]

Well, under Canon Law, normally a child of Catholic parents shouldn’t be baptised by a Lutheran or any other minister than a Catholic priest or deacon, when it boils down to it, so I didn’t think you were speaking of ‘ordinary’ circumstances.

Yes I was. I was talking about an adult.
You were talking about emergencies that could be adult or child, and I said that in the case of a child barring emergency that is just plain wacko.

 

[forgetmenot]

Thanks, everyone, for your (name removed by moderator)ut. I feel a tad better, and I don’t think I’ll be taking the Holy Water to the hospital with me, though I fully intended to, initially. The person I mentioned baptized their neice and never told her or her family (she is an adult now). I haven’t seen her in years. I don’t believe she married a Christian, but I know she was raised a Christian. I’m not related to this young adult…

Have a good evening.

 

[Thomas63116]

Congratulations on the soon to be new arrival!

Everyone has given you good adivce. The only thing I would like to add, is that you may want to gently encourage (not pester, but encourage) your daughter to have her child baptized. Obviously, having the child baptized in the Catholic faith would be best, but even if she chose to have the child baptized in another denomination it would still be a valid sacrament and a vehicle for God’s grace.

 

[forgetmenot]

Again, thanks. This will be a little easier knowing that if the right words are spoken, the Catholic Church will approve of it. I’ll just have to get the First Holy Communion pictures out down the road, and when she’s old enough, hopefully, things might change.
Merry Christmas to all of you.

 

[notsmart]

Again, thanks. This will be a little easier knowing that if the right words are spoken, the Catholic Church will approve of it. I’ll just have to get the First Holy Communion pictures out down the road, and when she’s old enough, hopefully, things might change.
Merry Christmas to all of you.

Merry Christmas to you also!

Have you considered asking the godparent of the mother to help here? Could they influence the mother to consider this further?

 

[forgetmenot]

:snowing: That’s a thought. I would imagine it will be my younger daughter, but she’s not practicing, either, though I don’t think she’d consider another faith. But then you got his parents and brother, so here we go again. His father was Catholic, and I’m not sure if his mother ever was. The subject hasn’t come up yet. I’m just thinking about the future, already. I sometimes wish I had more training in my own faith so I can answer back when presented with issues, and this is not the only issue I’ve been dealing with, trust me. Prayer is getting me through personal issue #1, there is child issue #2, and this is just another one along the road. I have faith that everything will work out. I suppose I worry too much.

 

[notsmart]

:snowing: That’s a thought. I would imagine it will be my younger daughter, but she’s not practicing, either, though I don’t think she’d consider another faith. But then you got his parents and brother, so here we go again. His father was Catholic, and I’m not sure if his mother ever was. The subject hasn’t come up yet. I’m just thinking about the future, already. I sometimes wish I had more training in my own faith so I can answer back when presented with issues, and this is not the only issue I’ve been dealing with, trust me. Prayer is getting me through personal issue #1, there is child issue #2, and this is just another one along the road. I have faith that everything will work out. I suppose I worry too much.

Awww.:hug1: :console:

You sound like a loving person to me. Try taking this slowly, and don’t feel as if you are in a uphill battle.
You have the Holy Spirit to guide you, just pray for the right words at the right time, he will do the talking for you.
Trust God also knows all the hairs on those heads of your loved ones, even if the ones in the womb who may not even have a single one, he loves each pore of them.
And he loves you too, so rest in Him now. Let him take over for you when you feel overwhelmed. Visit him often, and tell him about all this. In person.
It really can bring peace to your heart.

Love,
Monica