Pastor refused to provide proof I was baptised for RCIA

[tscott]

So I called the pastor of a small town Protestant church that baptised me and asked for a letter to provide proof of baptism for RCIA.

Instead, I got a lecture on reasons on why I shouldn’t convert to Catholicism.

He also said he would be praying for me, which is nice, but he will not write the letter.

What happens when I will not be able to prove baptism for RCIA?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

There are other ways of getting proof. Who else was there? Your parents, godparents, or other relatives could write a letter for you attesting to your baptism. I always ask them to provide as much information as possible – when, where (name and address of church), name of minister, and whether it was done with water and the Trinitarian formula.

If all else fails, conditional baptism is always a possibility.

Take a deep breath and don’t worry. This will work out.

 

[demetrios423]

I could not prove I was baptized in a Catholic church no less. I finished RCIA and was baptized and confirmed earlier this year. The Priest who instructed me during RCIA just said we would approach it as if I was never baptized. I think in the end it was better for me that way.

 

[jmoneyideas]

I am sorry that you had a run in like this. I had to call the episcopal church that I was baptized in and they were very helpful and mailed me the certificate a week later. They even had a nice little prayer for me in it hoping for me to continue in my growth with Christ. Which was really nice. I could see some pastors acting like this though. I have had several discussions with a few and the Thought of Catholicism just makes them cringe.

 

[EnglishTeacher]

There are other ways of getting proof. Who else was there? Your parents, godparents, or other relatives could write a letter for you attesting to your baptism. I always ask them to provide as much information as possible – when, where (name and address of church), name of minister, and whether it was done with water and the Trinitarian formula.

If all else fails, conditional baptism is always a possibility.

Take a deep breath and don’t worry. This will work out.

What he (or she) said above. Last year during RCIA, I was in the same situation, having been baptized years in a small Protestant church that did not document my baptism. I also did not have any relatives or friends that wanted to testify that I was baptized, because they didn’t want to “help” me convert to Catholicism. Eventually, the priest baptized me conditionally, right before Easter.

So yes, either way it will work out, even if no one is willing to testify to your baptism.

 

[martininthefiel]

“If you are not already Baptised, I Baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

I had no problem with the Episcopal Church either. They even corrected my birth date, which had been incorrectly recorded.

Your former pastor, I’m sure, is well intentioned, but he is misguided. You are well rid of him.

 

[BVM_1221]

So I called the pastor of a small town Protestant church that baptised me and asked for a letter to provide proof of baptism for RCIA.

Instead, I got a lecture on reasons on why I shouldn’t convert to Catholicism.

He also said he would be praying for me, which is nice, but he will not write the letter.

What happens when I will not be able to prove baptism for RCIA?

No problem. Just ask the Priest for a conditional Baptism.

BTW, when I entered into RCIA, my former LKanlady, a JW, went berserk :bigyikes:and sent me tons of JW books and pamphlets. She also ordered me to take off my Green Scapular. (I didn’t, of course

 

[1ke]

So I called the pastor of a small town Protestant church that baptised me and asked for a letter to provide proof of baptism for RCIA.

Instead, I got a lecture on reasons on why I shouldn’t convert to Catholicism.

He also said he would be praying for me, which is nice, but he will not write the letter.

What happens when I will not be able to prove baptism for RCIA?

Many Protestant churches do not even keep records of baptisms.

If you cannot provide records from a church, the next step is to provide an affidavit from a witness.

If you were over the age of reason when you were baptized and remember your baptism, you can provide your own affidavit.

If you cannot provide records or an affidavit, but believe you were baptized, then the priest can do a conditional baptism.

 

[puzzleannie]

So I called the pastor of a small town Protestant church that baptised me and asked for a letter to provide proof of baptism for RCIA.

?

it happens
also many denominations do not keep baptismal records, if they don’t consider it a requirement for membership. If you were old enough to remember the event you can sign an affidavit that has the relevant facts, or if you have family members who witnessed it, they can sign. Ask your RCIA director how to proceed.