Advice on Baptism

duracell_bunny

Long story short...

My fiancee is a catholic. I was baptised a non-denominational christian (although I no longer associate with that church). We had hoped to get married in our local catholic church with a dispensation from the bishop. However, the priest who we hoped to have marry us has just told me that they won't recognise my baptism because it wasnt' in a recognised religion (i.e. CoI or CoE, etc). He's given me the option of having a wedding ceremony in his church but without the mass/communion and without the marriage being referred to as a sacremant or me being baptised a catholic. We intend having any children we have christened and brought up as catholics so I don't have a problem with being baptised as a catholic.

My question is: can I just be baptised a catholic or do I have to have confession and confirmation etc before we can get married as two baptised catholics? Sorry if its a stupid question but I'd rather look stupid in front of you rather than in front of the priest!

Otherwise we will go for the other option but I think my fiancee might not be so comfortable with the marriage not being a sacrament - he's already said that he is happy to leave out the communion

Onesimus

http://forums.catholic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Hi, I think you should visit this link and ask an Official apologist ( explainer of the faith ) appointed by the Church to answer your question. Some of them are priests.

I would be too nervy to answer your question here for I am a fool and would fear that I put you down the wrong path. With respect to the other forum members who know more than I do they are not appointed by the Church either and because the topic is very sensistive and delicate one, my advice would be to follow that link I gave you and ask an apologist who will certainly answer you. Whilst waiting on your answer you can search the forum to see if it has already been answered.

Onesimus

georgieporgy

Don't get baptised just to keep people happy. If you are chosing baptism it should be because you really want to be a catholic. Before deciding that you need to know what it entails so get yourself a small book that explains the basics.

Its not a stupid question and the priest won't think it is either. In fact it's a very mature and sensible question.

If after doing some research you still want to go with it, then confession is not necessary (because all your sins are forgiven in the sacrament of baptism), but confirmation usually is done at the same time and takes about 15 mins extra.

I repeat, don't get baptised just so everything will go smoothly on the big day. It would be insincere and you would regret it. Good luck!

zoomtard

The Catholic Church honours any baptism made in the name of the Trinity. I don't assume that this is your case. If your baptism was Trinitarian, then there is absolutely no reason for you to be baptised again under Catholic Canon Law.

But except in the most extreme circumstances you can't receive communion in a Catholic setting if you are not a Catholic.

Does that help?

duracell_bunny

zoomtard wrote: »

The Catholic Church honours any baptism made in the name of the Trinity. I don't assume that this is your case. If your baptism was Trinitarian, then there is absolutely no reason for you to be baptised again under Catholic Canon Law.

I was baptised "in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit" and was fully immersed in water if that's what you mean. But the Catholic Church doesn't recognise the church/organisation/religious group that did it so they said that they won't recognise the baptism.

duracell_bunny

georgieporgy wrote: »

Don't get baptised just to keep people happy.

Yes but as far as I'm concerned I am baptised so I'd have no problem with "redoing" it.

georgieporgy

duracell_bunny wrote: »

Yes but as far as I'm concerned I am baptised so I'd have no problem with "redoing" it.

I meant don't become catholic unless you want to. I'm catholic by the way and I think its great. But you have to freely want it for the right reasons.

Slav

OP, I guess the priest has doubts about validity of the baptism you have received because it has not been researched by RCC whether the baptism given by that particular Church satisfies the Catholic requirements. In this case he will baptise you using a slightly different formula, "if you are not yet baptised, then I baptise you ..." which is called conditional baptism IIRC. Also it could be the case that he sees your baptism as valid but he wants to say some extra prayers and do some baptismal ceremonies in accordance with RCC rite that were omitted during your baptism.

duracell_bunny wrote: »

My question is: can I just be baptised a catholic or do I have to have confession and confirmation etc before we can get married as two baptised catholics? Sorry if its a stupid question but I'd rather look stupid in front of you rather than in front of the priest!

If you are going to have a Catholic wedding with Mass and take Holy Communion then I guess the answer is yes, you need to do confirmation and confession. In any case, don't be afraid to approach the priest with any questions you have. Priests don't bite, it's their duties to guide catechumens and there is nothing stupid about your questions. Your priest is a better source of information than the Internet.

zoomtard

duracell_bunny wrote: »

I was baptised "in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit" and was fully immersed in water if that's what you mean.

In that case the priest should be accepting the baptism and you should maybe just ask him why he won't.

duracell_bunny

zoomtard wrote: »

In that case the priest should be accepting the baptism and you should maybe just ask him why he won't.

I did. He said that it may as well have been Mickey Mouse who baptised me "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"!

zoomtard

duracell_bunny wrote: »

I did. He said that it may as well have been Mickey Mouse who baptised me "in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"!

That is astonishing. I am sorry that you had to go through that. Canon 869 of the Catholic Church says that "If there is a doubt as to whether a person was baptised or whether a baptism was conferred validly, and after serious enquiry this doubt persists, the person is to be baptised conditionally."

I might humbly suggest you stand up for yourself or you find another priest. This guy may be a touch dictatorial.

Seaneh

I see nothing in the bible where it says who should baptize you...

To be honest... I'd tell him to chew a lemon and stop being such a dinosaur and go straight over his head to the bishop.