Question About Baptism

[EqualinHim]

So, some of you guys might’ve read my original thread about baptism. I was baptized twice: once by my mother in the bathtub (of all places) and another time at a local methodist church. I’m inquiring into the church and starting RCIA soon, hopefully in two weeks. I spoke with the RCIA coordinator several weeks ago and I had to fill out a form about what sacraments I’d received and where/when I’d been baptized. I asked what to put on the form and explained my situation. She told me just to put down the date and location for the baptism by the methodist church because, although the bathtub baptism was valid, it wasn’t licit. I was never in any danger of death and my mom had potential access to a priest. The RCIA coordinator also stated that the baptism at the methodist church would be the easiest to verify. I think that I’ve explained in previous posts in other subforums that my mother is strongly opposed to the idea of me coming into the church, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she stalled or refused to give a record of the first baptism to keep me from entering. I think that is the other reason that the RCIA coordinator decided to put the second baptism on the record, and not the first. Is this somewhat irregular? I understand her reasoning for it though because I cannot recall the form used when my mother baptized me (I was an infant) but I know for sure that the correct form was used when I was baptized at the methodist church because I was well beyond the age of reason and had asked to be baptized. When I was baptized in the methodist church, the pastor also met with me one on one to make sure that I understood what being baptized in the adult form meant. I was immersed in a local river, in a very informal baptism that kinda shocked several of my catholic relatives in attendance.

 

[mikeghiorso]

I believe that your RCIA director has advised you correctly and precisely. Welcome home and I will keep your journey in my prayers,

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Why is this anything to be concerned about? You are validly baptized. When, where, is not important now. Most of us who were baptized as infants have no memory of it.

 

[joeybaggz]

As Mike said, I think your RCIA director is correct. The Methodist Church baptized in the Trinitarian form (in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) and that baptism is recognized by the RCC as licit and valid. Just follow the director’s lead.

Best wishes on your RCIA venture, prayers said for your successful journey.

Shalom

 

[1ke]

She told me just to put down the date and location for the baptism by the methodist church because, although the bathtub baptism was valid, it wasn’t licit. I was never in any danger of death and my mom had potential access to a priest.

Well this part isn’t correct. It was valid, which means it is your baptism. Licit vs illicit has nothing to do with it. You can only be baptized once. Moreover, a non-Catholic does not require a priest to baptize nor danger of death to allow them to baptize … they are not bound by canon law. Sounds like your mother wasn’t a Catholic and isn’t a Catholic and never intended you to be Catholic. Baptizing you in the tub was quite licit. And quite valid

However, with no record of this baptism, an affidavit of baptism would be required. by the witness(es). If you cannot obtain that, which you suspect you might, then you could indeed give proof of a baptism via the Methodist baptismal record.

I would (a) attempt to obtain an affidavit of baptism. If your mother refuses, I would then talk to the priest (not RCIA instructor) and get guidance from him. Your first baptism is your baptism, convenient or not. How is it you know you were baptized-- did your mother tell you, others? Is there anyone who can sign an affidavit of baptism?

Is this somewhat irregular?

Um, yeah.

Selecting baptism records based on what is easy for the RCIA director rather than what is **truthful **is wrong.

Were I your RCIA instructor I would follow the timeline, and if no evidence of your baptism in the tub could be obtained I would probably ask my pastor and the diocese for guidance as to whether the Methodist baptismal record should be used or if something else should be done.

 

[1ke]

Why is this anything to be concerned about? You are validly baptized. When, where, is not important now. Most of us who were baptized as infants have no memory of it.

Paul, to enter the Church as a candidate one must prove one is baptized. Without proof, but with knowledge, one would need to be conditionally baptized.

 

[Crusaderbear]

An organized church has written records…like the saying goes, the job ain’t done til the paperwork is finished!

My wife just contacted her baptismal church and they sent a copy of her baptismal date to our current church where she was enrolled in RCIA.

I would have thought they would want to see our wedding papers to prove it was valid (by a catholic priest…) but they never even asked. It would be rather dumb for me to lie about it though, considering the only one who counts knows all, sees all !

It’s kind of funny…I walk in and say I’m catholic and don’t have to produce any proof, but newbies need that paper trail! I do have all the paperwork though, just in case!

 

[venite_adoremus]

Conditional baptism. It covers a multitude of “what ifs” in your mind.

Years after I was received into the Church, we finally found the record of my “infant” baptism (I was close to two years old), on the rolls of a local Congregational church. The record was incorrect and was “corrected” in my grandmother’s handwriting (she was the church organist there–why did she have access to the record to be able to change it??). My date of birth and age were wrong, my name was confused with my mother’s name, there were no sponsors, and no mention was made of the rite used for the ceremony (e.g., was it just an infant dedication, or an actual water baptism?). Each of these could raise doubt in the mind of a reasonable person (for example, did I have a younger sister that I never knew, who died in infancy?–and that this was really her record, not mine?).

Because of my conditional baptism, I have no doubt. Forward!