Catholic never baptised but deceived about it: Implications?

[ephesians4]

Hi.

I am asking “on behalf of a friend”, if a “devout Catholic” mother neglects to have some of her children/stepchildren baptised, but leads them to believe they are Roman Catholics, what are the implications for:

a) The children concerned?
b) Any priests who have performed sacraments involving these non-Catholic Catholics?
c) The mother who managed to bring the situation about?
d) A child who, on discovering this, went and got themselves baptised by the first honest and decent Christian they could find, who happened to not be a Catholic (and can any negative consequences of that be mitigated?)

I hate to say this, but there is also the possibility it was done on purpose as the individual in question is… “troubled” and has demonstrated strong antipathy for the unbaptised persons in the intervening years.

I never intend to ask the mother this and will probably assume the best of her, but have to point out that may have been on purpose in case it changes anything.

Open question, although I would very much appreciate the views of any priest or other theologian on this one.

 

[DexUK]

Oh my… a fine pickle there.

An unbaptised child would be unlikely to have received sacraments such as First Communion or Confirmation since it would have been necessary for their baptism certificate to have been shown and it ought to have been picked up by the Parish Priest or at least the Parish office staff. Therefore there shouldn’t be any implications regarding priests…

On the other hand, if these children didn’t ever go through a First Communion course and the mother moved house and they simply presented themselves for Communion, then the priest would hardly be able to know would he?

If the mother is ill or ‘troubled’, then the implications for her are difficult to determine. It’s not really possible to say at this point, and an internet forum is definitely not the place to go into detail - it would be best discussed with the local Parish Priest.

The non-baptised child who was baptised by a non-Catholic but Trinitarian denomination would have a valid baptism, but it would be unlikely that any valid records would be kept. That child would probably be best advised to present themselves to the Parish Priest for a Conditional Baptism so that the records would be best kept, especially if they weren’t sure about the form of the baptism they did receive at the hands of the non-Catholic.

 

[Joe_5859]

Yeah, this really needs to be sorted out by the priest. Ordinarily, a baptismal certificate must be supplied in order for someone to receive subsequent sacraments. Someone must have dropped the ball if that didn’t happen.

 

[anruari]

For the “Child” in question there is no guilt involved.
They did the best they could to get baptised as soon as possible.

If the mother was suffering from a mental instability her guilt in the eyes of the Lord is probably lessened or nullified. that’s between her and her creator.

As said before they should certainly make enquiries of their parish priest to get the matter sorted out. They will need their baptism and confirmation certificates if they are ever to Marry or enter a vocation of ordained or religious life. These will be held in the parish where the baptism was carried out if they were baptised. If they were never baptised these records must be created, and the baptism they recieved by the Christian friend must be validated by the church (the annointing with oils and other features get done, plus the necessary paperwork).

 

[Margy1948]

Yeah, this really needs to be sorted out by the priest. Ordinarily, a baptismal certificate must be supplied in order for someone to receive subsequent sacraments. Someone must have dropped the ball if that didn’t happen.

True dat, i had to prove I was baptized to be a Godmother.
Also, Joe, isn’t there something called baptism by desire? So wouldn’t that be a qualifying factor if a person figured they were baptized into the Catholic faith?
Also, does Baptism bring a person into christianity or into the Catholic church as practiced by Catholics?

 

[DexUK]

Baptism by desire certainly exists, but it’s more to do with one’s personal relationship with God.

For example, a person who discovered a Bible washed up on the shore of a desert island and came to believe in God but couldn’t be baptised through lack of anyone to impart it would have a baptism by desire.

Baptism by other churches is valid if they stick to the proper form - i.e. invoking the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Baptism by, say, the Mormons or the Jehovahs Witnesses wouldn’t be valid, since their form is invalid to the best of my knowledge.

 

[ephesians4]

@Joe 5859 as DexUK correctly surmises, confusion has come about through a series of house moves.

Thank you guys.

Not only have you reinforced my intent to “get a priest in” to get things sorted out, but you have thrown a little light on things.

 

[Joe_5859]

True dat, i had to prove I was baptized to be a Godmother.
Also, Joe, isn’t there something called baptism by desire? So wouldn’t that be a qualifying factor if a person figured they were baptized into the Catholic faith?
Also, does Baptism bring a person into christianity or into the Catholic church as practiced by Catholics?

Yes, I would think that if such a person had thought they were baptized – and would have earnestly sought Baptism if they knew they were not – I would think God will certainly factor that in on Judgment Day.

Yes, Baptism is the “gateway” sacrament. It brings us into the Church and opens up to us the reception of the other sacraments.

These people definitely need to consult a priest to clear all this up. It’s a messy situation, but not unresolvable.

 

[Joe_5859]

@Joe 5859 as DexUK correctly surmises, confusion has come about through a series of house moves.

Thank you guys.

Not only have you reinforced my intent to “get a priest in” to get things sorted out, but you have thrown a little light on things.

Yes, it is good loop the priest in to the conversation.

 

[Margy1948]

Yes, I would think that if such a person had thought they were baptized – and would have earnestly sought Baptism if they knew they were not – I would think God will certainly factor that in on Judgment Day.

Yes, Baptism is the “gateway” sacrament. It brings us into the Church and opens up to us the reception of the other sacraments.

These people definitely need to consult a priest to clear all this up. It’s a messy situation, but not unresolvable.

Thanks, Joe…what’s in a person’s heart can be read by God I’m sure.

 

[Offdoodykcrn]

Does this mother exhibit other signs of borderline personality disorder? The children (both baptized and not) might benefit from understanding the nature of this woman’s behavior. There are some excellent books for people whose parents have bpd.