RCIA - Question about Baptism Records

[lucusk]

Hello all. I’m new here, so please forgive me if I have posted this question in the incorrect area. I am currently going through the RCIA process and it was discussed that we would need to have proof of baptism. Thinking this wouldn’t be such a difficult request to fulfill, I and my parents have been searching high and low to no avail. I contacted my church (a very small rural Methodist church) to see about getting a copy of the baptism records where I am recorded. Nobody seems to know where the church register from 1979 is, but they are looking for it. It’s hard telling where it would be since we have had three ministers in as many years. It’s quite possible one of them may have it at their house…

Long story short (too late, I know… ) what happens if I cannot provide proof of baptism? My parents have said I was baptized shortly after I was born, but other than their testimony, those present at my baptism have either passed on or have moved and we have lost touch with them.

Is this something I should be overly concerned about, or is there something else I can look for or do that would suffice as proof that I’m not aware of?

Thanks in advance…

God Bless

 

[5Loaves]

Long story short (too late, I know… ) what happens if I cannot provide proof of baptism? My parents have said I was baptized shortly after I was born, but other than their testimony, those present at my baptism have either passed on or have moved and we have lost touch with them.
God Bless

In my Diocese statements of witnesses can be accepted. I have known of a parent being allowed to be the witness stating the Baptism took place.

You need to talk with your RCIA leader. You aren’t the first person to have this come up. She may suggest the priest will do a “conditional Baptism”, as soon as possible so you can continue to be a Candidate, not an unbaptized Catechumen, and thus you can be received into the Church whenever you are deemed ready. One can only be baptized once. So in the case of a conditional baptism, it only is “effective” if you were never validly Baptized. If you were Baptized then the conditional baptism is just water and words effecting nothing.

 

[Iron_Donkey]

Is this something I should be overly concerned about, or is there something else I can look for or do that would suffice as proof that I’m not aware of?

Finding records would be ideal, but if all else fails and neither the records nor anything else sufficient to show that you’ve been baptized shows up, you can be conditionally baptized. (Since you’ve been baptized this wouldn’t actually do anything, but it would make everyone certain that you have been, either at the time of the conditional baptism or earlier.)

So while it would be best to find the records, you should not be worried that failing to do so would stop the RCIA process or anything like that.

 

[beth40n2]

In my diocese a statement from witnesses will do. Actually I was Pentecostal before getting married and joining my husbands United Methodist Church. I had no record of baptism either, but I did have a picture of my baptism which was by immersion, and the picture showed me coming up out of the water, and that was acceptable.

If your parents are alive and can write statements, you are probably good to go.

By the way, since you are United Methodist, you may want to join my group for converts from the Methodist church. Just click on this link. forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=1071

As well as my signiture there is a group with lots of information in the forums.

I will be praying for you.

 

[Phemie]

An affidavit under oath from a witness is usually enough for the Church to accept your baptism. Note that it had to have been celebrated in the Trinitarian way, “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”, to be considered valid. A baptism “in the name of Jesus” is not considered valid.

 

[jmcrae]

Hello all. I’m new here, so please forgive me if I have posted this question in the incorrect area. I am currently going through the RCIA process and it was discussed that we would need to have proof of baptism. Thinking this wouldn’t be such a difficult request to fulfill, I and my parents have been searching high and low to no avail. I contacted my church (a very small rural Methodist church) to see about getting a copy of the baptism records where I am recorded. Nobody seems to know where the church register from 1979 is, but they are looking for it. It’s hard telling where it would be since we have had three ministers in as many years. It’s quite possible one of them may have it at their house…

Long story short (too late, I know… ) what happens if I cannot provide proof of baptism? My parents have said I was baptized shortly after I was born, but other than their testimony, those present at my baptism have either passed on or have moved and we have lost touch with them.

Is this something I should be overly concerned about, or is there something else I can look for or do that would suffice as proof that I’m not aware of?

Thanks in advance…

God Bless

Check with the RCIA administrator, but there is a good chance that a written testimonial from your parents, giving the best that they can recall of the day (the date, if possible, the place, the name of the minister who presided, that it was done “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”) will be sufficient proof of baptism.

A conditional Baptism may also be considered wise, if your parents can’t remember what words were used in the Baptism, and if there is any chance that words other than “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” could have been used.

 

[lucusk]

Thanks for all the responses! They have been most helpful. I called my RCIA administrator and she told me about the possibility of conditional baptism. The baptism was celebrated in the Trinitarian way, so I should be covered. My mom thought of a couple other places to look, so hopefully we will find it.

I can already tell the forums will be a great resource as I go through RCIA.

Thanks again for all your help!

God Bless

 

[lucusk]

In my diocese a statement from witnesses will do. Actually I was Pentecostal before getting married and joining my husbands United Methodist Church. I had no record of baptism either, but I did have a picture of my baptism which was by immersion, and the picture showed me coming up out of the water, and that was acceptable.

If your parents are alive and can write statements, you are probably good to go.

By the way, since you are United Methodist, you may want to join my group for converts from the Methodist church. Just click on this link. forums.catholic-questions.org/group.php?groupid=1071

As well as my signiture there is a group with lots of information in the forums.

I will be praying for you.

Thanks for the reply and prayers! I will definately join the group…

 

[Like]

Aloha Lucusk,

God bless you on your journey to the true Church of Christ! You will be in our prayers.

Please keep us advised of your journey.

God bless

 

[Adam95]

What if the witnesses aren’t particularly giddy about one joining the Catholic Church and refuse to assist?

 

[joshrp]

Hello all. I’m new here, so please forgive me if I have posted this question in the incorrect area. I am currently going through the RCIA process and it was discussed that we would need to have proof of baptism. Thinking this wouldn’t be such a difficult request to fulfill, I and my parents have been searching high and low to no avail. I contacted my church (a very small rural Methodist church) to see about getting a copy of the baptism records where I am recorded. Nobody seems to know where the church register from 1979 is, but they are looking for it. It’s hard telling where it would be since we have had three ministers in as many years. It’s quite possible one of them may have it at their house…

Long story short (too late, I know… ) what happens if I cannot provide proof of baptism? My parents have said I was baptized shortly after I was born, but other than their testimony, those present at my baptism have either passed on or have moved and we have lost touch with them.

Is this something I should be overly concerned about, or is there something else I can look for or do that would suffice as proof that I’m not aware of?

Thanks in advance…

God Bless

If that is the case, you can do a conditional baptism, which basically is sort of a “just in case” baptism. Just in case your previous baptism wasn’t valid, the priest asks God, “If this person has not been validly baptized, I baptize him in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. If you have already been validly baptized, then nothing will happen. But it just gives you a record so that you know that just in case the other baptism wasn’t valid, you will have been baptized. The Church needs to know you have been baptized, because if you haven’t you won’t receive the graces that the sacraments provide. This just makes sure that everything is cleared up. It’s not that the Church doesn’t believe you. We just have to make sure. If you don’t have a baptism certificate, we can’t be sure.

I was baptized in a Protestant Church. I had to look for my baptism certificate when I received First Communion and was confirmed.

Also, the Catholic Church has to make sure that the Church that baptized you adheres to the Creed. If it doesn’t, it might not have been a valid baptism. That’s why the baptism certificate is necessary.

 

[jmcrae]

What if the witnesses aren’t particularly giddy about one joining the Catholic Church and refuse to assist?

In that case, if they absolutely refused, you would need to have a conditional baptism. I would have this done before the Rite of Welcome, if possible, so that you can go through the RCIA process as a Candidate.

 

[lucusk]

Update - The church found my records and was able to reissue a certificate!!! Interestingly enough, the church for whatever reason did not recognize infant baptisms, so I was baptized again when I was confirmed. When the current pastor told me the date in the book was 1988, it jogged my memory enough that I remember the second baptism. He said this was very unorthodox, but happened none the less.

When I asked Father (jokingly) if I was extra holy since I was baptized twice, he chuckled. This whole process has been pretty humorous and I’m sure the story will come in handy at some time or another.

Thank you all for your replies and God Bless

 

[Marie5890]

Update - The church found my records and was able to reissue a certificate!!! Interestingly enough, the church for whatever reason did not recognize infant baptisms, so I was baptized again when I was confirmed. When the current pastor told me the date in the book was 1988, it jogged my memory enough that I remember the second baptism. He said this was very unorthodox, but happened none the less.

When I asked Father (jokingly) if I was extra holy since I was baptized twice, he chuckled. This whole process has been pretty humorous and I’m sure the story will come in handy at some time or another.

Thank you all for your replies and God Bless

Welcome HOME!!!

Enjoy the journey.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello all. ) what happens if I cannot provide proof of baptism? My parents have said I was baptized shortly after I was born, but other than their testimony, those present at my baptism have either passed on or have moved and we have lost touch with them.

Is this something I should be overly concerned about, or is there something else I can look for or do that would suffice as proof that I’m not aware of?

your parents and godparents and other witnessess can attest to the facts of your baptism and provide a signed statement to that effect
parents names
your full name and birth date
date, place, (city and state, or country, plus the church or other venue) and minister of baptism
godparents if any
and attest that it was water baptism with the trinitarian formula
if it needs to be notarized the RCIA director will tell you

I always suggest people go to their parents and ask to see their old baby book, or if the information was entered in a family bible, be surprised what you find this way.