The OP states that the parents were not validly Married in the Catholic Church and were Married in the Methodist Community without permission of the Catholic Bishop. Most likely there was no Marriage preparations and no discussion of the Catholic to raise the child in the Catholic faith.A child being raised by parents where one is Catholic and one is not, is supposed to be raised Catholic. This is part of what is discussed during the marriage preparation. When the infant is baptized in the Catholic Church, he/she is Catholic. It is presumed that the parents will be raising the child Catholic, with the understanding and agreement from the non-Catholic parent. The child does not have to be confirmed before he/she is considered Catholic.
A baptized Methodist could not go to confession and receive Holy Communion, because only one who agrees with the Catholic Church’s teachings can do so…and that is a practicing Catholic.
However, I do not think that the diocese is aware that she was baptized as a Methodist and, thus, technically, not yet a Catholic. Now, the mother, as the Catholic party, needs to step up and say something, especially since she is, at some point, going to convalidate her marriage to this man.Here is the latest in the family I posted about earlier. The father came and chatted with me at a basketball practice today. He called the diocese to find out the “status” of his little girl. The opinion was that since she is a registered student, validly baptized, and had received first reconciliation that she is, indeed, Catholic. Furious would be an understatement as it was never his intention that she be Catholic and evidently NO ONE told him she would be considered so by taking part in the thing things she has been a part of so far. In fact, he was told the opposite. As he explained it to me he’s not against his daughter being Catholic, but he’s of the protestant tradition that those decisions take place at an age (usually 14) where children have a greater understanding and if that was her choice at that age he would be the first to support it. He feels lied to as he made it clear when the little girl was enrolled in school he was not looking for her to become a member of the church.
I am a Catholic and I learned that as well, in even more detail. (Impure thoughts, actions, lewd talk, etc.)This teacher displays a poor understanding of the Ten Commandments if he thinks that the Sixth Commandment is only relevant to adults. All of the Decalogue, understood spiritually, applies to every Christian, in every stage of life. Only, it applies in different ways, according to one’s calling and station in life, and one’s age, etc. But the Ten Commandments should be taught at an early age to all Baptized children; these children are cheated otherwise. They should be taught to recite the text of the Commandments, as well as a brief definition of each, which cuts to the essence of the Commandment. In Lutheran tradition, this is done by means of Luther’s Small Catechism. Here is what the children must recite regarding the Sixth Commandment:
**What is the Sixth Commandment?
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
What does this mean?
We should fear and love God that we may lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.**
Then, as the child matures, he is taught the faith in a deeper way, bringing in, for example, Luther’s Large Catechism, and instructing him about the evil of all forms of adultery, etc.
As far as I know she (they) have no intention whatsoever of every having their marriage convalidated. According to dad they married in the methodist church after months of talking to priests and pastors. Neither felt comfortable with promising to raise the child as a Catholic.However, I do not think that the diocese is aware that she was baptized as a Methodist and, thus, technically, not yet a Catholic. Now, the mother, as the Catholic party, needs to step up and say something, especially since she is, at some point, going to convalidate her marriage to this man.
The convalidation is the Church’s formal way of blessing a marriage that had been conducted invalidly. However, everything that would occur in a normal Nuptial rite happens here. A consent is exchanged where the couple agrees to accept children lovingly from God and to rear them according to the laws of Christ and His Church. This is very important, especially for the Catholic party.
While the father does not understand this, something has to be made clear to him that this consent must be granted. It is part of the Rite. After the consent, then the vows and rings are exchanged.
I would simply ask the mother for a copy of the childs Baptism Certificate with the parish seal. (it is required for all children preparing to First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and sometimes parents try and print them out on the computer themselves.) This request would not be anything out of the ordinary. If her Baptism was indeed registered in a Catholic Parish anywhere she will have it or at least be able to obtain it from them. Forward this on to the parish where she would be receiving her First Holy Communion.Here is the latest in the family I posted about earlier. The father came and chatted with me at a basketball practice today. He called the diocese to find out the “status” of his little girl. The opinion was that since she is a registered student, validly baptized, and had received first reconciliation that she is, indeed, Catholic. Furious would be an understatement as it was never his intention that she be Catholic and evidently NO ONE told him she would be considered so by taking part in the thing things she has been a part of so far. In fact, he was told the opposite. As he explained it to me he’s not against his daughter being Catholic, but he’s of the protestant tradition that those decisions take place at an age (usually 14) where children have a greater understanding and if that was her choice at that age he would be the first to support it. He feels lied to as he made it clear when the little girl was enrolled in school he was not looking for her to become a member of the church.
That’s just it, dad has said the daughter can do this or that as long as it does not mean she is Catholic. He was told this was true and let her proceed. Now, he’s being told the things he allowed has made her Catholic and he NEVER wanted that. He feels he was tricked into “making his daughter Catholic” as he puts it.I would simply ask the mother for a copy of the childs Baptism Certificate with the parish seal. (it is required for all children preparing to First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, and sometimes parents try and print them out on the computer themselves.) This request would not be anything out of the ordinary. If her Baptism was indeed registered in a Catholic Parish anywhere she will have it or at least be able to obtain it from them. Forward this on to the parish where she would be receiving her First Holy Communion.
I personally feel that he most likely received misinformation from whoever he spoke with. She would be considered and treated as a Catholic as soon as that Baptism certificate with a Catholic parish seal on it is produced.
Illicitely or deceptively receiving or attempting to receive a Catholic Sacrament does not itself make a person a Catholic. If mom can’t produce a sealed Baptism certificate from a Catholic parish then no matter what the child is not Catholic and the pastor CANNOT allow her to proceed with First Holy Communion preparation. So either you or the pastor of the parish where she will receive the Sacrament needs to request the certificate before any further discussion takes place.That’s just it, dad has said the daughter can do this or that as long as it does not mean she is Catholic. He was told this was true and let her proceed. Now, he’s being told the things he allowed has made her Catholic and he NEVER wanted that. He feels he was tricked into “making his daughter Catholic” as he puts it.
Before marriage there is always a requirement for a recent baptismal certificate, as much to check for marriages as for baptism. We certainly don’t require a ‘fresh’ certificate for reception of other sacraments as long as what they have has the parish seal on it. My children’s original certificates were sufficient in various parishes for reception of the other sacraments of initiation.It is usually standard proceedure, at least it is in our parish, that one give the address of the church in which the child or adult was baptized prior to receiving another sacrament. They always need a current copy. Our daughter was baptized in another state, but over the years she received her First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation in this parish. Even so, she had to have a current copy of her baptismal certificate before she got married.
you did right, the pastor is the one to take this on. In this parish, he would then send the family to me (DRE for the parish) and I would tell them, the child is Methodist and cannot receive First Communion unless and until she herself expresses a desire to become Catholic, be in full communion with the Church, and at least one parent agrees to this. If there is serious disagreement between the parents, and if they cannot give assurance the child will be allowed and assisted in practicing the faith, her reception would be delayed (not denied) until such time as assurance can be given. She will enter the Church through RCIA adapted for children, will have some study and preparation with her peers in the same situation, above and beyond the religious education she receives at the Catholic School. She will be confirmed, make a profession of faith, and make first communion at the same celebration. This will happen in her parish, not through the school. My take is when she was registered either the office failed to note, or the classroom teacher is not aware, that she is not yet Catholic and she is just being put in the same sacramental classes with other 2nd or 3rd graders.AsI was blunt in telling them both I will not even attempt to answer this one, it’s above my pay grade and my knowledge base. I did say he should talk to his pastor as well. Any takers on this?
Well, no, the Catholic parent never made any such promise since she didn’t marry in the Church. She doesn’t seem to consider that important. She also seems to have enrolled her Methodist daughter in a Catholic school because it’s academically better than the local public school. She appears, at best, ambivalent about her daughter’s religion.This little girl has to be either Catholic or Protestant, she cannot be both. The Catholic parent promised to raise the child Catholic and KEPT THOSE PROMISES so far. Good for them!
She was baptized Methodist, not Catholic.If the child was baptized Catholic, then someone cares about her spiritual well being!
Um. No. She never made that promise. She purposely got married outside the Catholic Church so she would not have to make that promise.It sounds like there are some silly people here. One can’t be two opposing things at the same time. One is either a Christian or a non-Christian. One is Catholic or Protestant or Jewish or Hindu or Muslim or Athiest - one cannot be a Protestant/Hindu or a Athiest/Catholic.
This little girl has to be either Catholic or Protestant, she cannot be both. The Catholic parent promised to raise the child Catholic and KEPT THOSE PROMISES so far. Good for them!