What effect do multiple baptisms have?

[Wonder]

If a person is baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant and then elects to be baptized in the Baptist Church as an adult what effect does this have? What about marriages outside the Catholic Church without dispensation after being baptised in the Baptist Church?

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

If a person is baptized in the Catholic Church as an infant and then elects to be baptized in the Baptist Church as an adult what effect does this have?

The new baptism, in itself, has no effect. “Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ… Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated” (Catechism, 1272). However, this second attempt at baptism may constitute a formal act of defection from the Catholic Church. For more information see What does “Formal Defection” from the Church mean?

What about marriages outside the Catholic Church without dispensation after being baptized in the Baptist Church?

Such a marriage may be valid. Canon law (CCC) states, “The form established [by canon law] must be observed if at least one of the parties contracting marriage was baptized in the Catholic Church or received into it and has not defected from it by a formal act…” (CIC 1117; emphasis added).