I need suggestions on baptizing my child who is 2yrs old, I am a nonpracticing catholic?

Question

I have a 2 yr old child that I need to baptize. I've been divorced 10 yrs, my marriage is not anulled. I am a non-practicing catholic and am now a single parent, hold all legal rights, am not with the baby's father but we are civil.. I need to get this done for peace of mind, quickly and quietly if possible and do not wish to choose godparents at this time. Can this be done with just myself and the baby there and without choosing godparents? I have reservations about the catholic religion, this is why I have waited so long but I think about this often and time is ticking away. Regardless, the baptism needs to happen..

Answer 1

The Catholic Church teaches: In case of necessity, anyone, with the required intention, can baptize.

In case of emergency, anyone can baptize your child, even you.

Baptism is performed by triple immersion or by pouring water three times over the person's head, while saying "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

If this is not a case of emergency, talk honestly to your parish priest about your situation.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

The 2 above posts by Doug Lawrence and Molly F give the best Catholic answers.

Here is a summation with added points.

1. The priest will only baptize your child if the priest is assured that you will raise your child Catholic. This is the same for any baptism.
2. You should return to the faith. Baptism is necessary for salvation, but so too is having one's conscience correctly formed so that they might live out the baptismal promises that you made on their behalf, be confirmed, and enter into the sacramental life of the Church. Your child needs you very very much to be the best Catholic that you can be!
3. Your divorce doesn't bar you from the sacraments...only a remarriage would. Come back home.
4. You do not need to choose godparents, but you cannot choose them later, because this is a specific spiritual role. However, you may at a later date, pick somebody to be a "godparent" who would act just like one. Might I suggest, that if you have no one, that you ask the priest who will do the baptism? It is ok for a priest to be a godparent and he might be willing to help you out in this way.
5. Yes this baptism needs to happen and it is good that you are doing so. Such a move on your part is a grace from God. The Holy Spirit moves you forward and already brings you back into the Catholic life.

God bless you and protect you!

Answer 3

When the scriptures talk about baptism it is about making a decision and repenting from sin and walking with God.
In the Bible only adults were baptised, no children were ever baptised. But I understand that you want do do something, have you though of a dedicating service? All that does is to thank God for your child and to dedicate the child to God, that way you are acting within Scripture and your child can make a decision when he is old enough to decide himself if he wants to be baptised or not.
If you are not going to a church at the moment, you might like to ask around and try an Evangelical church or often house churches are more friendly and understanding about peoples situation. Also you will learn about Scripture there also, and in a small church people ar often more in a position to help each other.
Don't worry about your marriage not being annulled, keep away from the RC church for now and give God a chance in a different church.
I wish you and your son well. I also totally understand your situation as I have been where you are, that is how I feel I can advise. Email me if you want a chat.

Answer 4

I'm pleased to hear you're wanting to baptize the child. Whatever reservations you have, it is good to raise your child in a supportive church community.

The divorce should not impact your child's receiving the Sacraments, as it has nothing to do with the child's relationship with Jesus.

If you need godparents and you live near my church (www.washucsc.org), I'd be happy to volunteer. Contact me through my avatar.

Generally you need at least one Catholic godparent, since the point of the godparents are to make sure the child is raised in the Faith.

If you want the child to be baptized, but don't necessarily want a Catholic influence, that is your choice. There are probably a number of ministers who would be willing to perform the baptism without godparents, although in my experience most mainstreams Protestant churches ask for godparents, and non-denominational churches tend not to practice baptism without profession of faith (hence, no infant baptism).

God Bless you and your child.

Answer 5

To baptise a child, you must first speak with the priest at the parish where you want to have the baptism performed.

Most parishes require you to attend a couple short classes on baptism- what it means for your child, what it means for you as a parent, etc.

Baptism can be done without godparents according to Canon Law. It is usually strongly encouraged to have sponsors or godparents attend. The priest may recommend some kind parishoners to stand as godparents to your child.

(Canon Law # 872, "in so far as possible, a person being baptised is to be assigned a sponsor...In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it to live a christian life befitting the baptised and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism.)

Baptisms are usually not carried out "quickly and quietly", so this may raise some concerns with the priest regarding the necessity for secrecy. You may want to explain your need fully to him, so that he may guide you in deciding the best course of action.

It may be important to note that baptism can be done up to the age of 6 without going through more extensive classes. Once the child turns 7, the child is viewed as capable to make their own informed decision, so there are more extensive classes (usually weekly classeslasting a few months) so that he/she will understand the decision to be baptised.

Answer 6

Your marital status has nothing to do with the baptism.

Also, there's no problem with divorced people participating fully in the church. You would need an anullment only if you wanted to get married again.

Call your local parish, talk to a priest and explain what you want to do. He can work out the details to your satisfaction.

Godparents will be necessary, but they don't have to be family members. The priest can help you with that, too.

It's probably time you resolved your issues with the faith. It sounds like you're operating under a number of misconceptions.

If you need more specifics, post your question at www.askmeaboutgod.org and receive a complete, correct, personal answer via email in about one day.

Answer 7

If baptism is so important to you in your opinion why don't you do it yourself. I mean why are you looking for another who you don't really know to do something you consider very important to do in your opinion.

I can tell you that you will be given different opinions on this issue from almost every different religious group. So just talk to your God, ask his instructions and then do what he tells you to do.

I must ask this, is the baptism for you or for the baby? What is the babies opinion of it? [that last question will tell you who it is for OK]

Give this all some thought and have a good day while doing it OK

Answer 8

Baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do God's will. Jesus was about 30 years old when he was baptized. In our faith, we do not baptize infants or children, unless the child is old enough to make a full dedication to do God's will.

Answer 9

You really need to ask why? If you do not practice your religion, then why try to half conform to their belief system that you don't believe in enough to go to church every week.. You will run into resistance from the priest asking things like this and more. Why go to the trouble when you don't go to church. Guaranteed a 2 year old doesn't know the difference..

Answer 10

If you are a non practicing catholic then why the urgency to Baptize your 2 year old???