Is the Anglican Christening valid?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Inbetweener
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I

Inbetweener

Guest
Another poster said that only the baptism/Christening of the Anglican Church has any value and is accepted by the Catholic Church as a valid one. As I am doing RCIA but my wife is at Anglican I am considering getting the children christened at an Anglican Church since they go to an Anglican school.
 
We recognize the baptisms done in many Christian communities. If your children are baptized Anglicans, they are baptized. If the time comes that they want to become Catholic, they will not be baptized again.
 
I was baptised Anglican, then I to a cult called the Jesus Army, then finally in a Baptist church. Obviously I take my Anglican baptism, the first as my legitimate baptism. One of my daughters has been baptised into her Anglican faith, which practises believers baptism so hasn’t allowed my other three to be baptised yet. I was told by my priest that the Anglican baptisms of my children will be valid even when I have become Catholic
 
So where you baptised 3 times. I am praying about it for my children. I never heard of Jesus Army though although a lot of these cults normally all hate the Catholic Church.
 
Yes, madly enough, I was. The first was by standing over a font and having water washed over my head three times while the Trinitarian formula was said. Valid in the eyes of the church. The second, as I said, was in the Jesus Army, in a swimming pool, and I can’t even remember what was said. Then eventually the baptist church wouldn’t accept the non immersion baptism as valid so I got dunked. I was very pleased to learn I wouldn’t have to be baptised again when I join the Catholic church!!!
 
I got baptised at an independent church called Lords Recovery - maybe your heard of them - so hoping it is still valid
 
For the most part, their baptisms are valid. That is assuming that whoever does the baptism actually uses the Trinitarian formula “in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” If other names are invoked (a typical example is “creator, redeemer, sanctifier”) then it would be an invalid attempt at baptism.

I would caution here that validity is not the only relevant question.

Even though there is only “one baptism” (just as we say in the Creeds) we are still baptised into whatever would be the relevant community (Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, etc.) as a practical matter. Since you just stated that you are in RCIA, another question to ask yourself would be that if you believe in the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, then why have your children baptised into a different ecclesial community? i.e. Anglican, or any other for that matter? Is the connection to the school more important than the full membership and full Communion which is the Catholic Church which you are now seeking for yourself? The validity of the baptism is just the starting point. It’s not the final question.
 
This is something that your Catholic priest is going to have to investigate–unless he already knows one way or the other based on past experiences. Apparently, you haven’t reached that stage yet (otherwise you would know). In the meantime, just to prepare yourself, it would be good if you could begin gathering whatever documentation you might have of the event, such as a certificate, photos, or (best of all) a video. Of course, you want to talk to your own priest in-person before putting too much effort into this (as I said, he might already know), but I just wanted you to be aware that you might need to get those things some day.
 
I am very privileged to be in a RCIA course with a charismatic priest who knows priests who have preached at Pentecostal churches and knows my walk much better. Unfortunately the hatred and misunderstanding from other Christians exist in the UK. Only the Anglicans are similar and they do come together for Taize, prayer Etc.
 
I know when I was in RCIA I had to produce my baptismal certificate from my old church. Barring the original certificate I would’ve needed to get a letter or something from the church just confirming that I was baptized using the Trinitarian formula and the dates etc.

ChadS
 
Inbetweener said:
d is accepted by the Catholic Church as a valid one.
Click to expand...
If by christening you mean baptism, then yes it is valid, generally speaking.

Some denominations have a “baby dedication” that is not a baptism, but they sometimes call it a christening or a dedication.

In England, and in the Anglican Church, christening and baptizing are usually synonyms. Just enquire to be sure it is a baptism.

Have you and your wife discussed baptizing the children Anglican vs Catholic?
 
Last edited:
My wife goes to an independent Evangelical church so will be more comfortable in an Anglican churches although I noticed a few Catholic Churches with married Ex Anglican priests and they tend to be more gospel and less about Mary.
 
Inbetweener said:
My wife goes to an independent Evangelical church so will be more comfortable in an Anglican churches although I noticed a few Catholic Churches with married Ex Anglican priests and they tend to be more gospel and less about Mary.
Click to expand...
I think it would be iffy as to whether an Anglican priest would baptize a child neither you nor your wife intended to raise in the Anglican Church. I suggest you talk to the Catholic priest where you are attending RCIA about baptizing your children.
 
Inbetweener said:
So where you baptised 3 times. I am praying about it for my children. I never heard of Jesus Army though although a lot of these cults normally all hate the Catholic Church.
Click to expand...
Actually, I think you were only baptized once. The RCC teaches that Baptism is a one time only sacrament and although you went through baptism ceremonies in other “churches” you were baptized in the Anglican Church in the trinitarian form. Something the RCC recognizes as valid and as I said, a one time only faith experience.
 
I am only finding out the diversity of views within the Catholic faith and in my city both the Catholic Archbishop and Anglican bishop really get on and do many activities/ prayer/ praise together and have understanding especially with many married Catholic priests (former Anglican). Maybe that’s not the case in other places.
 
I would agree, which is why I have used my Anglican baptismal certificate as proof of baptism for entry in the Catholic church.
 
JoyToTheWhirled said:
One of my daughters has been baptised into her Anglican faith, which practises believers baptism so hasn’t allowed my other three to be baptised yet.
Click to expand...
I am a bit confused by your statement here. Would you mind clarifying?
 
kristaok said:
Imo everything is valid christening, Baptism, communion, etc as long as that person was / is a Christian.
Click to expand...
So long as you’re clear that this is your opinion. It is not the teaching of the Catholic Church. And this forum is, after all, Catholic Answers.
 
Wannano said:
40.png
JoyToTheWhirled:
One of my daughters has been baptised into her Anglican faith, which practises believers baptism so hasn’t allowed my other three to be baptised yet.
Click to expand...
I am a bit confused by your statement here. Would you mind clarifying?
Click to expand...
Sure. My eldest was baptized a couple of years ago at the Anglican church the family attends. She is 16. My other three, ranging from 10 to nearly 14 have not yet been baptised, because the church practises believers baptism alongside christenings for babies. We weren’t members when they were babies, so the other rules apply. Its not the kind of Anglican church that most Americans are used to, it’s very evangelical charismatic and modern.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top