Rebaptism

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andrewstx

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Last night on EWTN there was a convert from an Orthodox church who said his Orthodox mother was rebaptised Catholic as her life came to a close.

What really confused me is that I have always been told that Orthodox sacraments are considered as valid as our own.

So why was she baptised outright, if thier sacraments are valid then why?

She was not baptised conditionally, it was as if she had never been baptised at all.
 
I would like to hope that the individual was mistaken or that circumstances, unbeknownst to him or her, were different than were described. I’d also like to think that whomever was interviewing the individual spoke up and pointed out that, if this was done, it was an error on the part of the priest who did so and contrary to Canon Law in East or West. Whether I’d be safe in thinking any of those things is another question.

The Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church, the Ancient Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church (in the US and, by extension, the former Bohemian,Croat, Czech, Lithuanian, and Slovak National Catholic Churches which were subsumed into the PNCC during the course of its history) all have valid Sacraments and no repetition is required or acceptable as to those Mysteries which are singularly administered - Baptism, Chrismation/Confirmation, or Holy Orders.

In fact, Baptism using a Trinitarian formula, performed in any Church - or even outside such a venue, if administered using that formula and with the proper intent - does not require repetition on reception to the any Church of the Catholic Communion. Performing baptism sub conditione in anything other than circumstances suggestive of a lack of proper form and/or intent (a nearly unheard of possibility in the Churches specifically enumerated above) suggests pitiful ignorance on the part of any Catholic priest who would have done so.
 
Diakonia said:
I would like to hope that the individual was mistaken or that circumstances, unbeknownst to him or her, were different than were described. I’d also like to think that whomever was interviewing the individual spoke up and pointed out that, if this was done, it was an error on the part of the priest who did so and contrary to Canon Law in East or West. Whether I’d be safe in thinking any of those things is another question.

The Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church, the Ancient Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church (in the US and, by extension, the former Czech, Lithuanian, Bohemian, and Slovak National Catholic Churches which were subsumed into the PNCC during the course of its history) all have valid Sacraments and no repetition is required or acceptable as to those Mysteries which are singularly administered - Baptism, Chrismation/Confirmation, or Holy Orders.

In fact, Baptism using a Trinitarian formula, performed in any Church - or even outside such a venue, if administered using that formula and with the proper intent - does not require repetition on reception to the any Church of the Catholic Communion. Performing baptism sub conditione in anything other than circumstances suggestive of a lack of proper form and/or intent (a nearly unheard of possibility in the Churches specifically enumerated above) suggests pitiful ignorance on the part of any Catholic priest who would have done so.
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I agree with what you said but I wish we would be a little more strict and conditionally "re"baptize anyone coming into the Catholic Church. Maybe not from the Orthodox because we can trust that they are doing the right thing. But for Protestants? Today its not a given that a certain denomination will follow the correct form, or maybe their intent is defective. I’d rather re-baptize to be sure. The Orthodox follow it this way. Not that they think all other Churches are invalid, its because they are not sure that they are valid.

For one thing I’d like to be Crowned.
 
ConstantineTG said:
I agree with what you said but I wish we would be a little more strict and conditionally "re"baptize anyone coming into the Catholic Church. Maybe not from the Orthodox because we can trust that they are doing the right thing. But for Protestants? Today its not a given that a certain denomination will follow the correct form, or maybe their intent is defective. I’d rather re-baptize to be sure. The Orthodox follow it this way. Not that they think all other Churches are invalid, its because they are not sure that they are valid.

For one thing I’d like to be Crowned.
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If one knows the church/denomination they were baptized in, it’s a safe bet that we can know if they were baptized with the Trinitarian formula. I think the current method the Church uses is fine.
 
Hi Andrewstx, just curious about which program you were watching on EWTN?
 
anp1215 said:
If one knows the church/denomination they were baptized in, it’s a safe bet that we can know if they were baptized with the Trinitarian formula. I think the current method the Church uses is fine.
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I can’t say with certainty, but from what I have heard is that many churches have resorted to politically correct formulas, which of course is invalid. Its really not a given anymore. Maybe 20 years ago, but not today.
 
ConstantineTG said:
I can’t say with certainty, but from what I have heard is that many churches have resorted to politically correct formulas, which of course is invalid. Its really not a given anymore. Maybe 20 years ago, but not today.
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Which ones? I’ve never heard/seen such a thing.
 
I don’t think she was Orthodox. I think his sister was Orthodox. I think his mother was baptised before her death. She was not baptised before that. His name was Tim Lau, a psychiatrist in Canada.
 
anp1215 said:
Which ones? I’ve never heard/seen such a thing.
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Those who baptized in the Name of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier. I believe some Episcopalian/Anglican parishes have begun to use this. And with Anglicans its really a dice roll from parish to parish. You may find one absolutely traditional and indistinguishable from a truly orthodox Catholic parish. And you may find one thats just all over the place and you can’t even detect if they are still Christians.
 
Qwikness said:
I don’t think she was Orthodox. I think his sister was Orthodox. I think his mother was baptised before her death. She was not baptised before that. His name was Tim Lau, a psychiatrist in Canada.
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After reading Andrewstx’s post, I immediately watched this week’s episode of the Journey Home on the computer. Qwikness is correct. Dr. Tim Lau, the Canadian psychiatrist, said his SISTER is Orthodox. He later said his MOTHER was the first Catholic in his family, having been baptized shortly before her death. His brother is also now Catholic. Very interesting interview.

No Catholic priest would rebaptize a person of the Orthodox faith under any circumstance!
 
Jim_Dandy said:
After reading Andrewstx’s post, I immediately watched this week’s episode of the Journey Home on the computer. Qwikness is correct. Dr. Tim Lau, the Canadian psychiatrist, said his SISTER is Orthodox. He later said his MOTHER was the first Catholic in his family, having been baptized shortly before her death. His brother is also now Catholic. Very interesting interview.

No Catholic priest would rebaptize a person of the Orthodox faith under any circumstance!
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Sorry folks, I misunderstood. I had a stroke 6 years ago, and I don"t always remember things right.
 
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