Secret Baptism & Confirmation

[cavanjohn]

I have a friend. He secretly baptised his niece when she was very young (she wasn’t ill at the time).

Lately she got engaged and wanted to properly become a Catholic. She understands, and believes, in Catholic doctrine.

(1) Was the baptism valid?

(2) If she wants to get confirmed will she have to get baptised again (there is no record since he didn’t tell anyone until long after the the event)?

(3) How long will the confirmation process take - she’s hoping to get married in the next 4 months.

I’ve encouraged him to speak to my local PP, but he’s too embarrassed, since he understand that he probably shouldn’t have done what he did.

FWIW, my understanding is that the baptism was valid - is this correct?

 

[1ke]

Yes the baptism was valid if he followed correct form and matter.

He needs to tell his niece what he did and then she needs talk to her priest about the whole situation. Since her wedding is only 4 months away, she should have already been working with her priest.

And he needs to be a man. He has created a real problem for his niece by his impulsive And secretive actions. The least he can do now is stop being the cowardly lion and go ask his priest for help in fixing things.

 

[Allegra]

Why would someone do something like that? Well, he needs to tell his niece what he’s done so she can tell the priest. The priest will probably want to speak with your friend and if he think’s the guy is a kook, he may do a conditional baptism. Most likely, his niece will have to go through RCIA, but some dioceses have special programs that are faster.