Emergency Baptism - Sacrement?

[skigirl1689]

I have always wondered about my baptism. I had complications after I was born and had an emergency baptism. I found out a few years ago that a priest baptized me (I have no issue with this ). However, my dad was raised Catholic (non-practicing for years before I was born) and my mom very conservative Lutheran. I was raised Lutheran and grew up around my dad’s family who is Catholic so I am very knowledgeable concerning both faiths. I also am involved in the Catholic campus ministry at my university because I know the priest from when I was young and went to a therapy camp for children with disabilities. I am probably considered odd since I see a lot of truth in the RCC and don’t criticize either the RCC or the Lutheran church I was raised in though my mom’s family would probably freak out if they knew I went to Mass. My beliefs, you could say, fall in between the two teachings…I know it probably doesn’t make sense.

My question is, is an emergency baptism performed by a Catholic priest still considered a sacrament in the eyes of the RCC even though I was not raised Catholic or became Catholic? I just have always wondered.

 

[1ke]

My question is, is an emergency baptism performed by a Catholic priest still considered a sacrament in the eyes of the RCC even though I was not raised Catholic or became Catholic? I just have always wondered.

Yes. It is a sacrament and it is valid.

And, you should check with the priest or the parish where he was pastor because if you were baptized by a Catholic priest and one of your parents is Catholic, you might **be **a Catholic.

 

[skigirl1689]

Yes. It is a sacrament and it is valid.

And, you should check with the priest or the parish where he was pastor because if you were baptized by a Catholic priest and one of your parents is Catholic, you might **be **a Catholic.

I admit, I don’t understand how that would be but not having been raised Catholic I don’t know all of the details. I’m sure there’s some record but I have no idea who the priest was and my dad didn’t remember when he brought it up. I guess my mom didn’t even know who baptized me until I asked a few years ago.

Thanks for the response.

God Bless!

 

[David2010]

The baptism was valid; in fact, anybody can perform a baptism.

However, if you are wondering about progressing to other sacraments within the Catholic Church (ie - catechism, communion, confirmation, marriage, etc.), what counts is the Baptismal Certificate. Some organizations put a lot of stock in little pieces of paper, so I would recommend, if you don’t have it already, get your Baptismal Certificate. Even if you don’t anticipate needing it, get it anyhow and file it away (while the priest remembers you, before he moves, before he dies, etc.). Otherwise, without that piece of paper, if you want to go further in the Church, or want your children to be raised in the Church, you will have to get baptized again just for that certificate.