Conditional Baptism Question

[Christine_P]

I am a convert coming into the church this Easter. I was previously baptized in a “Free Church” as a teen. My question is this: Do I need to make a full confession after my conditional baptism or will it be the same as if I were never baptized? I hope that made sense, it is easier to pose this question in person. My concern is that I know my first baptism followed the Trinitarian formula required by the church but my Priest is not as certain and I have no proof of my previous baptism. I would really appreciate any help that you kind folks can offer.
Thanks

 

[mystified]

If the priest is conducting a conditional baptism, he is also the one to whm this question should be addressed.
It is understandable that there would be some reservations, first because you have no documentation, and secondly, based on what I have read, there is a great spread of beliefs and practices among the many free church ministers and congregations.

 

[Christine_P]

I understand his reservations that is not an issue really. Also I would talk to my Priest but for one thing, he is not easy to talk to, don’t get me wrong I adore my priest but he doesn’t listen to well and generally doesn’t offer much of a chance to get the question out before answering usually what he “thinks” you are asking ( I think the language issue comes into play a bit as well) and I have already posed this question to the head of our RCIA instructors and he didn’t have a clue, he referred me to my priest. My question is does the conditional baptism confer the forgiveness of sins as does a regular baptism? I hope that clarifies my issue more.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I am a convert coming into the church this Easter. I was previously baptized in a “Free Church” as a teen. My question is this: Do I need to make a full confession after my conditional baptism or will it be the same as if I were never baptized? I hope that made sense, it is easier to pose this question in person. My concern is that I know my first baptism followed the Trinitarian formula required by the church but my Priest is not as certain and I have no proof of my previous baptism. I would really appreciate any help that you kind folks can offer.
Thanks

Yes, you will need to go to Confession just like all the Candidates who are already Baptized. This is why you are treated as a Candidate, and not as a Catechumen during RCIA after your Conditional Baptism. It is important to do this because Conditional Baptism is not absolute Baptism, if you were already Baptized then Conditional Baptism has NO effects and you must receive Reconciliation BEFORE Confirmation and Holy Communion, but after your Conditional Baptism.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I understand his reservations that is not an issue really. Also I would talk to my Priest but for one thing, he is not easy to talk to, don’t get me wrong I adore my priest but he doesn’t listen to well and generally doesn’t offer much of a chance to get the question out before answering usually what he “thinks” you are asking ( I think the language issue comes into play a bit as well) and I have already posed this question to the head of our RCIA instructors and he didn’t have a clue, he referred me to my priest. My question is does the conditional baptism confer the forgiveness of sins as does a regular baptism? I hope that clarifies my issue more.

Only if you were never Baptized, if you were previously Baptized then it does NOTHING except get you wet.

 

[Christine_P]

Yes, you will need to go to Confession just like all the Candidates who are already Baptized. This is why you are treated as a Candidate, and not as a Catechumen during RCIA after your Conditional Baptism. It is important to do this because Conditional Baptism is not absolute Baptism, if you were already Baptized then Conditional Baptism has NO effects and you must receive Reconciliation BEFORE Confirmation and Holy Communion.

Thank you so much!! That is just what I wanted to know!

 

[english_guy]

Hello everyone,
like Christine P I had a conditional baptism nearly 30 years ago, I could not find any trace of a previous baptism when I applied at the (church of england) church where I was supposedly baptised as a baby.
Regarding my reception into the Catholic church,I cannot remember for the life of me, making my first confession!!. This has worried me for many years up to the present day in fact. But I comfort myself that the priest who instructed me knew what he was doing and trust in God to know that everything is in order.But I still think…?? I worry too much!.

                                God Bless,
                                                      Mick.:shrug:

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello everyone,
like Christine P I had a conditional baptism nearly 30 years ago, I could not find any trace of a previous baptism when I applied at the (church of england) church where I was supposedly baptised as a baby.
Regarding my reception into the Catholic church,I cannot remember for the life of me, making my first confession!!. This has worried me for many years up to the present day in fact. But I comfort myself that the priest who instructed me knew what he was doing and trust in God to know that everything is in order.But I still think…?? I worry too much!.

God Bless,
Mick.

Well your “first Confession” would simply be the first time you went to Confession after becoming Catholic. This is why Conditional Baptisms are done right away after it is discovered that they are necessary. That way you are treated as Candidates in RCIA. Parishes that hold Conditional Baptisms for the Easter Vigil cause major issues, especially how does one go to Confession between being Conditionally Baptized and receiving Confirmation and Holy Communion?

 

[english_guy]

Hello again,
Br.Rich SFO,thank you for your reply, when I joined the Church in Feb.1980,after 6 months of instruction with a priest I was baptised and received Holy Communion under both kinds at the same time . In March of the same year I was confirmed after going to confirmation classes for a few weeks, Does this differ from the way it is done in the USA ?, I look forward to any replies and I thank you in advance of any.

                      God Bless,
                                         Mick.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Hello again,
Br.Rich SFO,thank you for your reply, when I joined the Church in Feb.1980,after 6 months of instruction with a priest I was baptised and received Holy Communion under both kinds at the same time . In March of the same year I was confirmed after going to confirmation classes for a few weeks, Does this differ from the way it is done in the USA ?, I look forward to any replies and I thank you in advance of any.

                      God Bless,
                                         Mick.

Since the mid-90’s it has been the rule [not always observed] that an adult who receives baptism should be immediately confirmed and then receive Communion; all in the same mass.

This is mandated by the current Canon Law Can.

866 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, an adult who is baptized is to be confirmed immediately after baptism and is to participate in the eucharistic celebration also by receiving communion

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello again,
Br.Rich SFO,thank you for your reply, when I joined the Church in Feb.1980,after 6 months of instruction with a priest I was baptised and received Holy Communion under both kinds at the same time . In March of the same year I was confirmed after going to confirmation classes for a few weeks, Does this differ from the way it is done in the USA ?, I look forward to any replies and I thank you in advance of any.

God Bless,
Mick.

Yes, in the US you would be Conditionally Baptized right away. (if proper protocol is followed) You would then go to Confession before first receiving Confirmation then Holy Communion, and preferably not at the Easter Vigil.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Since the mid-90’s it has been the rule [not always observed] that an adult who receives baptism should be immediately confirmed and then receive Communion; all in the same mass.

This is mandated by the current Canon Law Can.

This has been the Canon Law in the Latin Church since 1983, I noticed you entered in 1980.

 

[Christine_P]

There in lies a small problem for me I guess. I haven’t had my conditional baptism yet and it sounds like I will be baptized along with my fellow classmates as if it were my first time. We will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist all in one shot. Now I am worried, how do I convince my Priest to do it sooner?

edited to add…
The baptism sooner, I should add maybe that I am in Canada and I am not sure if that would change anything or not (definately not a canon lawyer here )

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

There in lies a small problem for me I guess. I haven’t had my conditional baptism yet and it sounds like I will be baptized along with my fellow classmates as if it were my first time. We will be confirmed and receive the Eucharist all in one shot. Now I am worried, how do I convince my Priest to do it sooner?

edited to add…
The baptism sooner, I should add maybe that I am in Canada and I am not sure if that would change anything or not (definately not a canon lawyer here )

You should be concerned. You do need to speak with the pastor. Explain to him that Coditional Baptism is NOT absolute Baptism, it is CONDITIONAL! Therefore if you have already been Baptized, then the Conditional Baptism has no effect, and you need to go to Confession BEFORE receiving Confirmation and Holy Communion. If you have not been Baptized then the Conditional Baptism washes away all your sins and Confession is not necessary. Tell him you need to be Conditionally Baptized ASAP! That way you may go to Confession before Easter Vigil so that you can insure you are in a proper state of Grace to receive Confirmation and Holy Communion.

Confession cannot be celebrated conditionally like Baptism. The validity of your Baptism must be settled ASAP. Also the Church does not allow Conditional Baptisms to take place in the public liturgy, to avoid confusion of the faithful.

 

[Christine_P]

Okay I will speak to my priest this week with my husband in tow and see if we can’t get this all settled. Please pray for me.