Legitmate baptism?

[eduardo]

I re-entered the Church at the beginning of this year.

I have two sons still at home. All of my children have been baptized when I was in the United Methodist Church. One of my sons has taken an intense interest in my reversion and asked on Ash Wednesday if he could become a Catholic.

Obviously I am ecstatic!

But it raised a question regarding baptism. Was his valid? My understanding is that it was, as it used a trinitarian formula. As with many issues of our Catholic faith, however, there is a great amount of diversity available to me in the way of popular opinion, including what I believe to be poor information from a catechism director.

Can you set me straight?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The Church accepts baptisms from other Christian communities as valid as long as they were done with water and using the Trinitarian formula. I don’t know how old your son is so don’t know what type of preparation would be appropriate for him to be received into the Church. Talk with your pastor or RCIA director about next steps to take.

 

[quiet52]

The Catholic Church recognizes as valid the Baptisms of our Protestant brothers and sisters, if they were done with the right form and matter (“I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” with water pouring or immersion).

You would need to enroll your son in religious education classes and RCIA, before he can be received into the Church and receive the other sacraments of initiation. My parish requires a two-year preparation for children, but I think that varies from diocese to diocese. You can also enroll your other son in religious education classes, and when he expresses a desire to prepare for the sacraments, he can also join the RCIA.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I re-entered the Church at the beginning of this year.

I have two sons still at home. All of my children have been baptized when I was in the United Methodist Church. One of my sons has taken an intense interest in my reversion and asked on Ash Wednesday if he could become a Catholic.

Obviously I am ecstatic!

But it raised a question regarding baptism. Was his valid? My understanding is that it was, as it used a trinitarian formula. As with many issues of our Catholic faith, however, there is a great amount of diversity available to me in the way of popular opinion, including what I believe to be poor information from a catechism director.

Can you set me straight?

Generally speaking Methodist Baptism is a valid Baptism. However each case must be looked into and documentation provided.

 

[curtishouse29]

I was baptized as a part of the church of Christ denomination. As long as you’re baptized in the trinitarian format, it should be valid but it’s always good to have any of your questions answered by your Priest.

 

[thistle]

I re-entered the Church at the beginning of this year.

I have two sons still at home. All of my children have been baptized when I was in the United Methodist Church. One of my sons has taken an intense interest in my reversion and asked on Ash Wednesday if he could become a Catholic.

Obviously I am ecstatic!

But it raised a question regarding baptism. Was his valid? My understanding is that it was, as it used a trinitarian formula. As with many issues of our Catholic faith, however, there is a great amount of diversity available to me in the way of popular opinion, including what I believe to be poor information from a catechism director.

Can you set me straight?

I was a Methodist before I converted and my baptism was considered valid.