Baptismal Records and RCIA

[Brian_C]

Last night in RCIA, it was mentioned as sort of an aside and reminder that those of us who are candidates needed to bring an affidavit or baptismal record. What? This was the FIRST TIME I’ve heard this! Granted, I missed a session or two b/c of Katrina, but I would think that someone would have said something! Oh well. I don’t think I’ll have any problems. I wondered when I went thru the interview w/ the director of faith formation about the possibility of someone lying or not knowing if they had a VALID baptism, but no one ever mentioned proving it.

 

[Orionthehunter]

Brian_C:

Last night in RCIA, it was mentioned as sort of an aside and reminder that those of us who are candidates needed to bring an affidavit or baptismal record. What? This was the FIRST TIME I’ve heard this! Granted, I missed a session or two b/c of Katrina, but I would think that someone would have said something! Oh well. I don’t think I’ll have any problems. I wondered when I went thru the interview w/ the director of faith formation about the possibility of someone lying or not knowing if they had a VALID baptism, but no one ever mentioned proving it.

It isn’t just a matter of “proving it”. Each parish has a record of all baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals done in the parish. Baptisms are often in the same book as in: John Doe, baptised at Church of the Holy Roller on August 1, 1972, confirmed at St. Benedict’s on April 1, 2005. I think the Baptism entry also includes who your parents are, the person doing the baptism, and witnesses/God parents. The Confirmation entry may include who your parish sponsor is.

Now that you are coming into the Church in your parish, if you later get married in another parish or have your funeral in another parish, this parish will be notified of the wedding and funeral with applicable pertinent information (i.e date, celebrant, location, etc.) to be added to your record.

This book is so valuable that it is kept in a fire-proof safe accessable by only the Pastor and when out of the safe, extreme care is taken.

 

[kage_ar]

When I went through RCIA, I simply called my mom to get a copy of my baptismal certificate –

My DH was baptized as an adult at a non-denom church, when he was in RCIA I called the church office and asked about a copy of his baptismal record. They had a many records destroyed (flooded office or something), but – the lady in the office had known me since I was a child and happily put together a new certificate for my husband.

I’ve known folks who were baptized in very small churches that are now closed. As long as they were able to locate someone who was a witness to the baptism, that documentation was “proof” enough.

Should there be no witnesses, no pictures, no documents – I believe that the person would receive a “conditional baptism”.

The Church makes a way for all to enter!

 

[Brian_C]

I spoke w/ my mother and she said yes, my church sent a certificate and keeps records. Thankfully I don’t think there’s a chance of it closing as it is the largest single church in my hometown… LOL, of course, I think the Catholic church would be bigger if there weren’t two on the same street and another 3 blocks away!

Thanks for the info and hopefully it’ll all work out!

 

[puzzleannie]

Brian_C:

Last night in RCIA, it was mentioned as sort of an aside and reminder that those of us who are candidates needed to bring an affidavit or baptismal record. What? This was the FIRST TIME I’ve heard this! it.

this should have been covered in your first interview when you registered. Yes, it is the director or pastor’s responsibility to ascertain if your baptism was valid. If you don’t provide this now, and it happens every year, somebody comes up the week before Easter and finds out they were never baptized, it was invalid because of some reason, or there is some other problem. it is not a matter of lying, it is usually because if it supposedly happened when they were infants or children, and the family has gotten away from the practice of that faith, they simply don’t know all the circumstances of their baptism. A family member or godparent or other witness can attest to the facts of the baptism as well.

ditto with proof of marriage, or resolution of marriage issues, annulments etc. The time to address this is no later than the rite of acceptance or rite of welcoming, when the candidate has indicated his decision to follow through with the process.

most protestant churches are quite happy to furnish a letter with the facts of your baptism. you also need a birth certificate so that legal names of you and your parents can be entered on the records.

sacramental records have at times been considered legal records in civil proceedings, so not only canon law but civil law requires that they be accurate and preserved in a safe place.

 

[Brian_C]

Weird, yeah, silly me! I should have known this! But you know, no one ever asked the other questions about marriage either! With regard to needing a certificate. Same w/ birth certificate!

I was baptized at 7 and I believe my wife was at 8 and I fully remember the circumstances. I know THAT was asked of me in the interview. Hmmm…

I didn’t get to call my old church today b/c I actually had to go to a funeral for one of my Catholic relatives, sadly. The family was excited, at least, to find out my wife and I were joining the church.