Baptizing my kids.. not yet Catholic?

[NewCatholicFam]

My husband and I have been attending Catholic Mass for a while now and are wanting to enroll in RCIA classes but they do not start until September. My husband is leaving on deployment (Military) and we are really wanting to baptize our 3 year old and 2 month old before he leaves. We’re both baptized as Protestants but were wondering if we would be able to get our children baptized as Catholics even though we aren’t officially part of the church yet? Thanks for your answers!

 

[ConstantineTG]

The best person to ask is your pastor. Why not ask him? I’ve known priests who’d do it, and there are some who wouldn’t and be strict with the RCIA program.

 

[NewCatholicFam]

I plan on asking tomorrow just didn’t know if there was a general “rule” about this in catholocism. So I thought I would ask on here tonight to see if anyone knew!

 

[ConstantineTG]

I plan on asking tomorrow just didn’t know if there was a general “rule” about this in catholocism. So I thought I would ask on here tonight to see if anyone knew!

Well, there is no general rule. The thing about our faith is that we must treat each case uniquely because each person is unique. Yes, the normal case is for the whole family to go through RCIA. But as you stated, there is a circumstance coming up. It will be up to the priest to decide whether he can forgo the RCIA or not. I’ve seen cases where it has been, and where it has not been.

 

[PrayForMeStJude]

The general rule is that a Catholic priest will not baptize a child unless he is relatively sure they will be raised in the Catholic faith. If you commit to being enrolled in the class, perhaps he might be willing, with his Bishop’s permission, to allow your children to be baptised due to the uniqueness of your military situation. Perhaps you could arrange for your husband to continue with his formation, as much as possible, with a military chaplain while you go through RCIA in your home parish. If this is possible your Pastor and diocese should be able to work this out.

EDIT: as an afterthought, and as both a child and employee of the military, let me add this: because your husband is in the military you and your family would (once converted to Catholicism) be members of the US Archdiocese of of the Military. So please, with your husband, seek out the Catholic chaplain attached to your husband’s unit or base. He will be specially trained to deal with situations like this.