Can I be baptized at 16 without parental consent?

[annagood]

My mother is strictly atheist and my dad never keeps anything from her. If my mum were to hear of it she would not allow it. She strongly believes that god is just a figment of idle minds. I strongly believe in god, and my friend has helped me learn the catholic faith, and I wish to be baptized, but everything I have read requires one parent’s permission (though most were towards 12 year olds or younger) So, can I be baptized at 16 without parental consent? If not, what should I do?

 

[adamhovey1988]

I’m not sure, I think a lot of it might depend on where you live, because the age of majority isn’t the same everywhere, I don’t know, but that is something to look into. If you maybe, could email a bishop or a priest, they might be able to help you.

 

[LilyM]

My mother is strictly atheist and my dad never keeps anything from her. If my mum were to hear of it she would not allow it. She strongly believes that god is just a figment of idle minds. I strongly believe in god, and my friend has helped me learn the catholic faith, and I wish to be baptized, but everything I have read requires one parent’s permission (though most were towards 12 year olds or younger) So, can I be baptized at 16 without parental consent? If not, what should I do?

Am I right in thinking your father would consent but your mother would not? It may technically be necessary only to have the consent of one parent. Whether in practice your priest or bishop would go against your mother’s wishes if she made them known to them is a different story.

 

[DeniseNY]

I don’t know what the age of majority is where you are, but my initial thought is that if you are still a minor, you would still require their consent. Can you talk to your friend’s pastor about his?

 

[thistle]

“annagood8h
My mother is strictly atheist and my dad never keeps anything from her. If my mum were to hear of it she would not allow it. She strongly believes that god is just a figment of idle minds. I strongly believe in god, and my friend has helped me learn the catholic faith, and I wish to be baptized, but everything I have read requires one parent’s permission (though most were towards 12 year olds or younger) So, can I be baptized at 16 without parental consent? If not, what should I do?”

Until you are an adult when you can decide for yourself you would require the permission of one parent. If you were in danger of death you could be baptised even if both parents objected.

 

[1ke]

At sixteen the Church does not require any permission from anyone but you to baptize you. Talk to your local pastor. He may ask you to wait until you are 18, but that would be out of respect for your parents not a canonical requirement.