Confirmation

[jknits]

Hello all!

I have a quick question about my upcoming confirmation. I was baptized on June 11, 2006 by my grandfather who is a Catholic priest (he was ordained ten years after my grandmother passed away). At the time, I was not confirmed because they did not have time to contact the Archbishop for permission since it was being done at a time other than Holy Saturday. Also, the baptism took place in Minnesota in a parish that I am not a member of - I live in Indiana.

I did not attend RCIA and I consulted with the RCIA instructor at my parish and my parish priest and they decided that since I had a background knowledge of Catholicism (being that my grandfather is a priest) I can be confirmed without attending RCIA. Now, this benefits me since I have Crohn’s disease which makes it difficult for me to conform to any sort of a particular schedule. The RCIA classes are open at my parish and I plan on attending when I can. Also, I have heard of CatechismClass.com, which I think might be beneficial for me. I admit, I do a lot of studying about the faith on my own. In fact, my my parish priest has given me suggestions on various books for me to read.

Here is my question: Am I “cutting corners” by doing it this way? I really want to be confirmed, but I want it to be valid and right in the eyes of the Church. Also, is it required that you choose a confirmation sponsor? I don’t really know any Catholics in my area other than my mother.

Any help is much appreciated!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello all!

I have a quick question about my upcoming confirmation. I was baptized on June 11, 2006 by my grandfather who is a Catholic priest (he was ordained ten years after my grandmother passed away). At the time, I was not confirmed because they did not have time to contact the Archbishop for permission since it was being done at a time other than Holy Saturday. Also, the baptism took place in Minnesota in a parish that I am not a member of - I live in Indiana.

I did not attend RCIA and I consulted with the RCIA instructor at my parish and my parish priest and they decided that since I had a background knowledge of Catholicism (being that my grandfather is a priest) I can be confirmed without attending RCIA. Now, this benefits me since I have Crohn’s disease which makes it difficult for me to conform to any sort of a particular schedule. The RCIA classes are open at my parish and I plan on attending when I can. Also, I have heard of CatechismClass.com, which I think might be beneficial for me. I admit, I do a lot of studying about the faith on my own. In fact, my my parish priest has given me suggestions on various books for me to read.

Here is my question: Am I “cutting corners” by doing it this way? I really want to be confirmed, but I want it to be valid and right in the eyes of the Church. Also, is it required that you choose a confirmation sponsor? I don’t really know any Catholics in my area other than my mother.

Any help is much appreciated!

Cutting corners? You should have been Confirmed when you were Baptized (over 7 Yyo) The specific permission of the Bishop I do not believe would be necessary. Because Canon Law mandates that a priest who Baptizes and adult must also Confirm them and give Holy Communion at the time of the Baptism. However, Adults are not supposed to be Baptized except at the Easter Vigil. Except in emergencies. So actually he was authorized by Canon law to Confirm you when he Baptized you, but was not authorized to Baptize you.

Yes you must choose a Confirmation Sponsor, The Sponsor should be one of your Godparents if possible.

 

[Traditional_Ang]

Cutting corners? You should have been Confirmed when you were Baptized (over 7 Yyo) The specific permission of the Bishop I do not believe would be necessary. Because Canon Law mandates that a priest who Baptizes and adult must also Confirm them and give Holy Communion at the time of the Baptism. However, Adults are not supposed to be Baptized except at the Easter Vigil. Except in emergencies. So actually he was authorized by Canon law to Confirm you when he Baptized you, but was not authorized to Baptize you.

Yes you must choose a Confirmation Sponsor, The Sponsor should be one of your Godparents if possible.

Br. Rich, Jknits:

I second what Br. Rich said and add:

You might ask your Grandfather and mother if they can be your “Confirmation Sponsors” or if they can introduce you to some people who’ll act in as your sponsors.

If that doesn’t work, ask your parish priest if he can find a couple of sponsors for you.

You also might want to list your town in your public profile and say what your situation is in this thread or another. I seem to recall that a couple of the Catholic CAF Posters come from Indiana. It’s worth a try.

I hope one of these will help.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Br. Rich, Jknits:

I second what Br. Rich said and add:

You might ask your Grandfather and mother if they can be your “Confirmation Sponsors” or if they can introduce you to some people who’ll act in as your sponsors.

If that doesn’t work, ask your parish priest if he can find a couple of sponsors for you.

You also might want to list your town in your public profile and say what your situation is in this thread or another. I seem to recall that a couple of the Catholic CAF Posters come from Indiana. It’s worth a try.

I hope one of these will help.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael

A parent cannot be a Sponsor. A Grandparent can.

 

[jknits]

Cutting corners? You should have been Confirmed when you were Baptized (over 7 Yyo) The specific permission of the Bishop I do not believe would be necessary. Because Canon Law mandates that a priest who Baptizes and adult must also Confirm them and give Holy Communion at the time of the Baptism. However, Adults are not supposed to be Baptized except at the Easter Vigil. Except in emergencies. So actually he was authorized by Canon law to Confirm you when he Baptized you, but was not authorized to Baptize you.

Yes you must choose a Confirmation Sponsor, The Sponsor should be one of your Godparents if possible.

Then is my baptism invalid? We had no intention of my being baptized then, but I wanted my grandfather to do it and we had to go up to MN unexpectedly because my great-grandmother passed away. Anyway, my grandfather (the preist) has moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, so my aunt and uncle worked with him to set the baptism up in their parish. My mother assumed I was being confirmed at the same time, but when I asked my aunt, she said that they hadn’t had enough notice before our arrival to contact the Bishop.

I told my priest when I was baptized and that I wanted to be confirmed and he said it was odd that I hadn’t been confirmed at my baptism, but he didn’t act like it was a major issue.

I’m just very confused about all of this. I want to do what is right in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the Church. Do I have to be re-baptized before I’m confirmed?

 

[G_S]

1. Your baptism ABSOLUTELY was valid. Do not have any qualms about that.
2. Baptism outside the Easter vigil for adults might be done for non-emergency reason. Using that word implies that the only reason was the danger of death. This simply is not true. A lack of clergy, conditions of incarceration, or geographical issues, for example, might present sufficient pastoral reasons for the baptism of adults outside the Vigil.
3. The non-emergency baptism of adults and children is reserved to the pastor. A priest who is not a pastor or adeacon baptizing anyone must obtain the permission of the pastor to do so.
4. A priest may only confirm in non-emergency situations with the authorization of the bishop, either in a general way for the Vigil or in a specific instance for the baptism of an adult at another time. e.g. a priest who provides Mass at several different prisons could only do one Vigil. He would need permission from the bishop to confirm adult converts at a Mass at another of his prisons on Pentecost Sunday.
5. IF your grandfather did not follow all of the canonical or diocesan guidelines in baptizing you – or IF there was insufficient reason for skipping RCIA – that would be his error in judgement and does not effect the validity of your sacrament.

Welcome to the fulness of faith! I will pray for you when I serve Mass later today and tomorrow morning – and I will rejoice that we are one in sharing the One Body of Christ.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Then is my baptism invalid? We had no intention of my being baptized then, but I wanted my grandfather to do it and we had to go up to MN unexpectedly because my great-grandmother passed away. Anyway, my grandfather (the preist) has moderate Alzheimer’s Disease, so my aunt and uncle worked with him to set the baptism up in their parish. My mother assumed I was being confirmed at the same time, but when I asked my aunt, she said that they hadn’t had enough notice before our arrival to contact the Bishop.

I told my priest when I was baptized and that I wanted to be confirmed and he said it was odd that I hadn’t been confirmed at my baptism, but he didn’t act like it was a major issue.

I’m just very confused about all of this. I want to do what is right in the eyes of God and in the eyes of the Church. Do I have to be re-baptized before I’m confirmed?

No it’s not a major issue. Your Baptism is valid most likely, it just does not seem to have been licit or by the book. This happens far too often.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Cutting corners? You should have been Confirmed when you were Baptized (over 7 Yyo) The specific permission of the Bishop I do not believe would be necessary. Because Canon Law mandates that a priest who Baptizes and adult must also Confirm them and give Holy Communion at the time of the Baptism. However, Adults are not supposed to be Baptized except at the Easter Vigil. Except in emergencies. So actually he was authorized by Canon law to Confirm you when he Baptized you, but was not authorized to Baptize you.

Yes you must choose a Confirmation Sponsor, The Sponsor should be one of your Godparents if possible.

I don’t believe you are correct on this. For one, we don’t know the age of the OP when he was Baptized. If he was 10 years old, it may have been decided that he would enter religious education(CCD) with his peers and be Confirmed with them. This happened with my nephew.

Also, my understanding is that God parents are chosen for infant Baptisms, not adults or even older children.

I’m sure some one will correct me if I’m wrong. Heck, in this forum, some one will attempt to correct me, even if I’m right.

Jim

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I don’t believe you are correct on this. For one, we don’t know the age of the OP when he was Baptized. If he was 10 years old, it may have been decided that he would enter religious education(CCD) with his peers and be Confirmed with them. This happened with my nephew.

Also, my understanding is that God parents are chosen for infant Baptisms, not adults or even older children.

I’m sure some one will correct me if I’m wrong. Heck, in this forum, some one will attempt to correct me, even if I’m right.

Jim

I won’t disagree that many pastors make up their own rules and simply ignore the Law of the Church and treat people like your nephew as they did.

Can. 852~1 The provisions of the canons on adult baptism apply to all those who, being
no longer infants, have reached the use of reason. (about 7 years old)

Can. 866 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, immediately after receiving
baptism an adult is to be confirmed, to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist and
to receive holy communion.

A Sponsor or Godparent is to be named for every person except in Emergency Baptisms. Not having one does not invalidate the Baptism, but again ignores the Law.

Can. 872 In so far as possible, a person being baptised is to be assigned a sponsor. In the
case of an adult baptism, the sponsor’s role is to assist the person in christian initiation.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I won’t disagree that many pastors make up their own rules and simply ignore the Law of the Church and treat people like your nephew as they did.

Can. 852~1 The provisions of the canons on adult baptism apply to all those who, being
no longer infants, have reached the use of reason. (about 7 years old)

Can. 866 Unless there is a grave reason to the contrary, immediately after receiving
baptism an adult is to be confirmed, to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist and
to receive holy communion.

A Sponsor or Godparent is to be named for every person except in Emergency Baptisms. Not having one does not invalidate the Baptism, but again ignores the Law.

Can. 872 In so far as possible, a person being baptised is to be assigned a sponsor. In the
case of an adult baptism, the sponsor’s role is to assist the person in christian initiation.

And I’m sure if you read somewhere in this document, it is up to the local Bishop to allow for varying circumstances, such as the OP presented.

We’re not a bunch of fundamentalist where we use bits and pieces of documents to support our own ideas while ignoring the spirit and context of the whole.

Jim

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

And I’m sure if you read somewhere in this document, it is up to the local Bishop to allow for varying circumstances, such as the OP presented.

We’re not a bunch of fundamentalist where we use bits and pieces of documents to support our own ideas while ignoring the spirit and context of the whole.

Jim

Oh gosh,

Not only do we have to deal with the “Spirit of Vatican II” Now we are having to deal with the “Spirit of the Cqtechism” and the “Spirit” of this or that Church Document" instead of what it says. I know what they wrote but this is really what they meant to say!

I’m nearly certain that the local Bishop cannot dispense from the requirements of Adult Initiation without serious reason, not just because he feels that most 12 year olds would like to be Confirmed with the class, instead of the Easter Vigil.

It would be interesting if you would post the Grave Reason that was given for splitting your nephews Baptism and Confirmation? That way we could see an example of what justifies a Bishop’s decision for allowing this.