Out of Wedlock Children

[ChristIsTheWay]

My sister has recently found out she is pregnant by her boyfriend of a year and a half. Before they found out about the pregnancy they were actually beginning the early preparations for marriage including talking to our parish priest and stuff. I know that she and he can still get married despite the out of wedlock pregnancy but my question is about getting the child baptized. They probably won’t rush anything in regards to the marriage, plus our priest has indicated marriage preparation classes in our diocese will take nine months but what are the rules for getting out of wedlock children baptized?

 

[Thomas63116]

My sister has recently found out she is pregnant by her boyfriend of a year and a half. Before they found out about the pregnancy they were actually beginning the early preparations for marriage including talking to our parish priest and stuff. I know that she and he can still get married despite the out of wedlock pregnancy but my question is about getting the child baptized. They probably won’t rush anything in regards to the marriage, plus our priest has indicated marriage preparation classes in our diocese will take nine months but what are the rules for getting out of wedlock children baptized?

I have a friend who had his son baptized in a similar situation.

The child has no responsibility for the action of the parents. Since baptism is the gateway to the grace of all the sacraments, the Church will not deny the sacrament to the child.

For the church to baptize there only needs to be a “founded hope” that the child will be raised in the faith. It sounds like this couple wants to eventually marry in the church and that they do intend to raise their child Catholic. If it were a requirement that parents be sinless for their children to be baptized, no one would be baptized!

 

[Newbie2]

Just like any other baby.

 

[puzzleannie]

we discussed an almost identical situation a few weeks ago, and here is a search result
forums.catholic-questions.org/search.php?searchid=2034349
of forums that discuss related issues, but I seem to recall that thread had a misleading title, so will try to find it.

the couple will start by conferring with their priest and following his advice, which will most certainly begin with taking care of current situations that are separating them from God and the Church. There is no barrier to the child’s baptism as long as they give assurance the child will be raised Catholic.