Can my baby be baptized?

[markroc]

I was baptized and confirmed a Catholic. My wife was born in Hong Kong to a Buddhist father and a mother who is agnostic. We were married by a judge in front of our families. My wife is generally non-religious, but respectful of Catholicism and has taken a passing interest, including reading the Bible and occasionally attending mass, but not receiving communion. She has no interest in actually becoming Catholic, but wants us to raise our child Catholic.

We are expecting our first baby in September. Can we baptize the baby?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Yes–after you get your marriage blessed in the Catholic Church. I suggest that you see a priest about this soon. Until you are considered validly married by the Catholic Church you should refrain from sexual relations. At this time the Church does not consider you to be validly married. To have such relations with one with whom one is not validly married is a mortal sin. It appears that you did not know this. If this is the case, you have not sinned due to the lack of knowledge.

But now, you do know. If neither of you have any previoius marriages, you should not have a problem getting your marriage blessed soon. I suggest that you get the book, “Good News About Sex and Marriage” by Christopher West, available through shop.catholic.com. You are in my prayers as are your wife and baby.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.