Proof of Baptism Where No Records Exist

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mair_francis

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Pax et Bonum,

I recently made my profession of faith, and was going to have my marriage regularized, but life got complicated. The Protestant Church I was baptized in–in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit–does not keep records. The staff is also hostile to my becoming Catholic and won’t respond to my inquiries or request for some sort of documentation, such as an affidavit signed by witnesses to the event. My baptism was 28 years ago, and I was the only person going to church in my family, so even they weren’t actually present at my baptism, so they don’t want to be witnesses for me either.

Other than that, my family is now happily Catholic. My husband was cradle Catholic, though I bullied him into marrying in my church without the blessings of a priest. I regret that now. It is both our first marriage. I would like to share in the fullness of Christ by having my marriage regularized and partaking of the Eucharist, but I’m frustrated. I feel like I have to give up relations with my husband of twelve years–even though he’s Catholic, he doesn’t see why this is such a big deal–or give up the Eucharist until this matter, which I’ve worked on for months with no success, is settled.

Any advice, suggestions? Pray for me. 😦

mair francis
 
I would advise that you go talk to a priest. Tell him your situation and talk to him about it. He can help guide you through what you need to do in order to do have your marriage recognized in the church. I will pray for you.

God Bless,
Matt
 
I’m sure it wouldn’t be that hard for the priest to give you a conditional baptism. Talk to him about it.

God bless.
 
Thanks for your responses, and for your prayers Matt. Jrsmith, what is a conditional baptism?

mair francis
 
mair_francis said:
Pax et Bonum,

I recently made my profession of faith, and was going to have my marriage regularized, but life got complicated. The Protestant Church I was baptized in–in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit–does not keep records. The staff is also hostile to my becoming Catholic and won’t respond to my inquiries or request for some sort of documentation, such as an affidavit signed by witnesses to the event. My baptism was 28 years ago, and I was the only person going to church in my family, so even they weren’t actually present at my baptism, so they don’t want to be witnesses for me either.

Other than that, my family is now happily Catholic. My husband was cradle Catholic, though I bullied him into marrying in my church without the blessings of a priest. I regret that now. It is both our first marriage. I would like to share in the fullness of Christ by having my marriage regularized and partaking of the Eucharist, but I’m frustrated. I feel like I have to give up relations with my husband of twelve years–even though he’s Catholic, he doesn’t see why this is such a big deal–or give up the Eucharist until this matter, which I’ve worked on for months with no success, is settled.

Any advice, suggestions? Pray for me. 😦

mair francis
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Do you have any direct contact with people who may have been witnesses, Godaprent/Sponsor. Were you old enought to remember and understand what was said and exactly how the Baptism took place? So you should be able to speak with the pastor and sign a letter stating what you know, asking your pastor to Baptize you conditionally. Which he should consider doing within a few weeks of your request in private, with only two witnesses.
 
I’m somewhat confused - by profession of faith do you mean the one that brought you into full communion? In that case the pastor would have been obligated to verify your baptism already.

At any rate:
Can. 876 To prove the conferral of baptism, if prejudicial to no one, the declaration of one witness beyond all exception is sufficient or the oath of the one baptized if the person received baptism as an adult.

Now, if I remember my class correctly, the part about being “prejudicial” has to do with having something to gain by claiming to be baptized - like getting a marriage convalidated. So that might make things trickier, and I would try to, if at all possible, get at least one other witness to corroborate your testimony. But simply start by talking to your priest and asking about your options.
 
Thanks for responding Br. Rich. I was fifteen-years-old when I got baptized, and it was in the Church of God in Christ. I don’t remember what preceded my immersion. It may have been some kind of profession of faith. of vow to follow Jesus. I remember, “I baptize you in the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Big dunk. Many tears. I would have never thought I’d need any record of it later.

No Godparents or sponsors. Godparents were for babies being “dedicated”. I didn’t have family support. As for anyone else willing to swear they were present at an event 28 years ago, the pickin’s are slim. And there’s the resistance to me being Catholic.

Sigh.

I’m still not clear on what a conditional baptism is. Anybody willing to help me out with that? I’m certain I was baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. It’s how C.O.G.I.C baptizes. I don’t want to commit a grave sin by being baptized again.
 
Thanks Andreas,

When I was received into full communion, I was asked to provide the date of my baptism and the name of the church, which I did. The priest informed me on the day I was received into the church that the Archdiocese needed the proof, and that there were other forms to fill out in order to get the marriage blessed. He assured me we’d do the blessing at another date, but he went ahead and allowed me to make my profession of faith.

It was then that I found out Pentecostals can sometimes be uncooperative when you want to have the marriage they said was good, validated in the eyes of a Church that they view as suspect anyway.

I’m not sure if things should have gone that way, but they, in fact, did.

mair francis
 
In a conditional baptism the priest baptizes you saying “If you are not baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
 
Then you would just get a little wet. Once you are baptized, it is a permanent mark on your soul. A conditional baptism is more so for safety sake if no actual records can be obtained. This also allows records then to be created in the Church.

Since Baptism is such an important and necessary Sacrament, necessary for reception of the other Sacraments, this would fall into the ‘better safe than sorry’ category for the Church.
 
Thanks, CathlolicCid.

Like many black women, I do not enjoy having my hairstyle ruined by getting a little wet, but in this instance, I will happily submit my silken tresses to immediate transformation into an afro by just adding water. LOL. 😉

But seriously. I’m wondering if he will do it since I was received and confirmed in front of everybody on Easter. We have a small parish, and limited access to a priest. He only does so many baptism, but there’s going to be one of a newborn on Sunday. I just don’t know if he’d say, “I can’t baptize you conditionally or otherwise if I’ve confirmed you already because you said you were baptized.”

OY! This is giving me a headache.
 
a conditional baptism is always done in private with just the witnesses and if the priest is skillful he can pour water on your forehead and spare the hair, but if it gets wet, it will be in a good cause. if it is a pentecostal baptism it may not be trinitarian, and a conditional baptism might be done on that grounds alone. I am sorry the proper procedures were not followed in your case but easily dealt with, many good wishes and prayers for your wedding.

I am working however on the assumption that since he confirmed you and accepted your profession of faith that he is satisfied you were validly baptized based on your testimony and since he is the judge, would let it go. If he was not satisfied he should not have done it, so the marriage issue should not be a problem. He also should not have accepted you for confirmation until your marriage situation was taken care of, but that also can be done relatively simply so go back to the priest, spell it out for him in words of one syllable, and hope he gets it right this time. things will be done right for you, not necessarily in the right order, but in God’s grace, it will happen, but don’t let it slide, be persistent and make sure the priest (not a secretary) knows the whole story.
 
I never saw a shower cap at a baptism, but does not mean it could not be done (I am kidding also, but hey, we have to look at every side of the issue, right?)
 
Ha! That brings a whole 'nother question about the validity of baptism:

“But what if the water actually didn’t touch my person???”

Hey, I know. How about I get a tonsured hair cut? Eliminate hair from the equation all together.
 
mair_francis said:
Ha! That brings a whole 'nother question about the validity of baptism:

“But what if the water actually didn’t touch my person???”

Hey, I know. How about I get a tonsured hair cut? Eliminate hair from the equation all together.
Click to expand...
stylin!
 
My hair is indeed a part of my person, but not if it’s covered by a shower cap. 😉

Styling, eh? Yeah. I can see it. St. Francis is my patron saint, though. So why not?
 
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