Sister wants to be Baptised again

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MikeHalbrook

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Wasn’t sure whether I should post this here or in “Non-Catholic Christians”, so my apologies if in the wrong place…

My sister came to visit my wife and me last night. We thought she was coming to tell us that her wedding was going to be outsite the Church (we were all raised Catholic, but she is marrying a young man who was raised in the Assemblies of God - but never baptised.)

Instead, she informed us that she intends to be baptised at the Baptist Church they have been attending in a few weeks, and would like for us to support her and be there.

It’s very tough for us. As a father and mother of a Catholic family, with a (nearly) 6-month old son, we want to show love for our family, but also want to give fraternal correction and help her see the truth insofar as we can.

So a few questions…
  • What is the effect of a second baptism outside of the Church. Is this sinful, and if so, how is this shown? Does it, in effect, excommunicate one from the Church?
  • Knowing that we chose her as our son’s Godmother, and knowing the requirements of Godmother in Canon Law and the expectations that we have for how our son’s Godparents will raise our son in a fully Catholic home in the event that we’re ever unable to do so, what might we do in this regard?
  • What would you do?
And anything else you choose to add.

Our initial reaction is that we don’t think that we will attend the baptism - unless the Holy Spirit moves us wildly over the next few weeks. We also would need to rely more upon our son’s Godfather, and/or find more spiritual Godmothers who would be able to help fill that role if need be. We believe that we would and will attend the wedding, especially since at that point it would, in fact, be a wedding between two non-Catholics. (right?)

This is all further complicated by the fact that my mother was raised (and raised us) Catholic, but my father was raised (and is ‘non-practicing’ Baptist). To him, this is wonderful, and he is laying into me heavily trying to point out that this is no big deal, that I don’t fully understand, am not being very Christ-like, and am - either intentionally or unintentionally - driving division into the family in this situation.

Thanks so much for all the thoughts… and most especially prayers.

In Him,
Mike
 
Many of us here have been put in similar situations.

With all love and charity, I tell the family member I cannot go to this or that function because of my faith and the teaching of the Church.

I once went to a similar non-Catholic religious ritual as a supportive parent. Afterwards, I realized it was a mistake. Instead of demonstrating love, it (wrongly) demonstrated to others that I believed it was a legitimate expression of faith.

The simple fact that I was there made it seem like I was approving of it.
 
What is the effect of a second baptism outside of the Church?

It has no effect, since Baptism can only be received once.

Is this sinful, and if so, how is this shown?

It would be an offense against the Sacrament of Baptism. By doing so you are saying that God didn’t get it right the first time.

Does it, in effect, excommunicate one from the Church?

Being Baptized or essentially entering formally another non-Catholic Christian communityyou are by formal act removing yourself from the Catholic Church.
  • Knowing that we chose her as our son’s Godmother, and knowing the requirements of Godmother in Canon Law and the expectations that we have for how our son’s Godparents will raise our son in a fully Catholic home in the event that we’re ever unable to do so, what might we do in this regard?
Find someone who will since she it seems will not be able to.
  • What would you do?
I would not go to her public, Catholic rejection cermony (re-baptism).
 
Br. Rich SFO:
I would not go to her public, Catholic rejection cermony (re-baptism).
Click to expand...
I agree. I would like to add that she has also rejected the role as a Godmother to this child. She cannot help in the raising of this child in Catholic faith matters if she has in fact rejected the faith. Mike, if you attend this ceremony, you will be demonstrating your approval. I will keep you and your sister in my prayers.
 
I would ask her how long has she been thinking of leaving the Church? Was she in doubt when she was at her nephew’s baptism and if so why did she say yes?

I am married to a Presbyterian. I was a godfather to my nephew a few weeks before my marriage. I re-affirmed my faith the week before the Catholic wedding and signed my promise.

Just a few months into the marriage we discussed the idea of joining a third church and I said No.

First, I do not have any doubts in my faith and second I just made a statement of faith before the priest to get the dispensation and second I was a godfather a few weeks before, what woul that say?

I would share your hurt with your sister, tell her you can’t come to her “baptism”. If she goes through with it keep her in your prayers and go to the wedding because whe will no longer be Catholic and not bounbd by the marriage rules but she will be in a sinful condition for leaving the Church, whether she follows through with a marriage. Go to their kids’ dedications and set a good catholic example so they can come to you when they have questions etc.

If they get baptised on different weeks go to her fiancee’s but not hers.
 
This story is similar to my own. I was baptised Catholic and later “rebaptised” before getting married in a Baptist Church. I am now in the process of coming back to the Catholic Church. I wish someone in my family would have taken the time to explain in a loving but firm way, exactly what my decision ment.
She would be excommunicating herself from the Church. She could come back to the Catholic faithafter confession, thankfully, but it sure would be best not to leave at all!
 
Baptists do not believe tha baptism has an real spiritual effect. But they insist on re-baptism as a means of demonstrating that one accepts their beliefs. Thus, a re-baptism means that she accepts Baptist beliefs and rejects Catholicism.
 
Jim
That is also the way I understand it. I didn’t fully understand that i was rejrcting the Catholic Church by being “rebaptised.” Now I see the error of my ways, so to speak. I pray that this young lady decides not to be “rebaptised.” Sometimes a person just needs to hear the voice of reason from someonr they love.
KimM
 
Wow! I wish I had read this earlier…

My brother was re-baptised this past weekend in a Church of Christ Church. His explaination was that his young stepson had just been baptised in this church, and was participating fully in their services. My brother wanted to support him in his journey by also participating in their services, but was told he couldn’t because he hadn’t been baptised to their way of thinking. So…he chose to do it.

Supposedly, he explained to the minister that this most certainly did not mean he was renouncing his Catholic faith, and he wouldn’t stand for any Catholic bashing, but…now that I’ve read this, I worry about it.

My DDs First Holy Communion is coming up, and I just know that he will go up for Communion. :bigyikes: Yikes! How do I broach this with him?
 
If he did not understand that despite his disclaimer to the minister he was doing wrong, he could hardly be said to be in mortal sin for his action. Also if he did not intend to leave the church, which his disclaimer is evidence of, I doubt that he could be counted out. You might discuss this with him and see where he stands on the issue.
 
Once you are baptised or recieved a Trinitarian Baptism then you are acknowledged as Christian. The Catholic Church will just give you the other rites. Like the profession of faith etc…
 
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