Can a catholic couple baptise a presbyterian baby? Which faith should the godparents instill in the baby?

Question

Let me clarify, sorry for the confusion.
No smart alecs please. Just want an answer if someone has it. Thanks!
Can a catholic couple baptise a baby of a presbyterian couple in a presbyterian church? Are we expected to instill the presbyterian or the catholic faith on our godchild?

Answer 1

Let the baby choose when it gets older.

Answer 2

I assume you personally won't be baptizing the baby, but rather a Presbyterian minister will be. Sounds like you would be the baby's godparents.

Actually Catholics are not supposed to be godparents for non-Catholic children. Likewise, non-Catholics are not supposed to be godparents for Catholic children. The duty of godparents is to help raise the child in the faith, especially if the child's parents are neglectful about this. If you become god-parents for a Presbyterian child then you will be obligated to help raise that child Presbyterian. As a Catholic, you can't in good conscience promise to do that. Likewise a Presbyterian could not in good conscience promise to raise a child as a Catholic.

You can act as witnesses to the baptism, you certainly can be a part of the baby's life, but you can't be godparents. Even if the Presbyterian church is OK with this (I don't know what their stance is), the Catholic church does not allow it.

Answer 3

In Catholicism the role of the godfather and/or godmother is very important. They must be firm Catholic believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized—child or adult—on the road of Christian life.

To ensure this, a godparent must be at least 16 years old (for maturity's sake), fully initiated (having received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), be someone other than the legal parents, and one who leads a life in harmony with the Church.

If you have only one Catholic godparent, then you may have a non-Catholic participate as an official witness. The witness will be responsible for setting a good example for the baptized person while the Catholic godparent will share the specifics of the Catholic faith.

I don't know for sure but I would expect the Presbyterians doctrine to be similar.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Whether or not you can is really up to presbyterian doctrine. Whether or not you "should" is the real question that needs to be asked, and answered.

It really makes no sense for a Christian of one denomination to ask Christians of other denominations to be godparents. To be, this indicates a Spiritual detachment from the Sacrament of Baptism, and it also seems to indicate the role of Godparents is a formality, not a reality.

Catholic godparents are entrusted to see that their godchild(ren) are properly schooled in the Catholic faith. In this case, since the godparents are not presbyterian, how effective will they in instructing one in presbyterian doctrine?

In a Baptism, the Spiritual wellfare of the Baptized is what's most important. If I were in your shoes, if the parents want to raise a presbyterian, I would have to decline on account of the fact I am not schooled in presbyterian doctrine. As a Catholic, you are only "qualified" to instruct Catholic doctrine.

Answer 5

First of all there are no catholic or Presbyterian babies. What you need to instill in your child is that your child has God as its father. Tell it that it came from God and will eventually return back to God's loving arms. All due respect for your particular Church belief about Baptism and I do not see any importance as to how you perform this rite, as long as you know that your child is wonderfully ordained of God to live in the full awareness of God's Love, regardless of their behaviour, as all children have to find their own Identity and beliefs and you can be instrumental and have a wonderful oppertunity to experience joy and love. You can read a lot about dedicating yourself and your baby at http://freedomvoice.net

Answer 6

Whoever is going to be responsible for the religious upbringing of the child, needs to remember the difference between the baptismal beliefs of both schools of thought. A Catholic baptism removes original sin; Presbyterian baptism is a replacement for circumcision, both a sign of mortification and of new life. Both consider baptism to be a sacrament.

Answer 7

A Catholic couple can't baptize anyone. Priests do that. If you are referring to being godparents, they should stand as godparents only to babies who are being baptized Catholic. If it is the couple's baby, the baby should be baptized Catholic also. If the couple wants the baby to be of another faith, they are no longer Catholic anyway.

Answer 8

I have never been baptised because One of my parents is Catholic and the other is Presbyterian so I never knew wut to choose. I have found it better not choosing but im sure someday I will be fully Presbyterian because I have more fun at that church.

Answer 9

What religion do the parents fall under and are they willing to accept both teching for the child? Knoweldge is knowelgde. IMO if the parents are willing to allow the child to learn both religions so he/she may choose for themselves latter then go ahead and teach the child both faiths, they both have good foundations and principles. If this is against the parents wishes, then as the child is theirs, they should do as they deem right for them. Please note I understanding this as the godparents arer Cotholic and the parents Presbyterian. If I am misunderstanding, I apologize.

Answer 10

here's my question. how is the couple Catholic and the baby presbyterian?

Answer 11

Baptism--Presbyterian

Infant Baptism

The Bible declares that God claimed humanity as God's own "before the foundation of the world." (Ephesians 1:4)

Both believers and their children are included in God's covenant love. Children of believers are to be baptized without undue delay, but without undue haste. Baptism, whether administered to those who profess their faith or to those presented for Baptism as children, is one and the same Sacrament. The Baptism of children witnesses to the truth that God's love claims people before they are able to respond in faith. (Book of Order W-2.3008)

Baptism, therefore, usually occurs during infancy, though a person may be baptized at any age. Parents bring their baby to church, where they publicly declare their desire that he or she be baptized. When an infant or child is baptized the church commits itself to nurture the child in faith. When adults are baptized they make a public profession of faith.

Baptism distinguishes children of those who believe in God's redemptive power from children of nonbelievers. The water that is used symbolizes three accounts from the Bible's Old Testament: the waters of creation, the flood described in the story of Noah, and the Hebrews' escape from slavery in Egypt by crossing the Red Sea. All three stories link humanity to God's goodness through water.

Baptism signifies

* the faithfulness of God,

* the washing away of sin,

* rebirth,

* putting on the fresh garment of Christ,

* being sealed by God's Spirit,

* adoption into the covenant family of the Church,

* resurrection and illumination in Christ.

(Book of Order W-2.3004)

Unlike some denominations, Presbyterians do not require a person to be entirely immersed in water during baptism. Baptism is received only once. Its effect is not tied to the moment when it is administered, for it signifies the beginning of life in Christ, not its completion. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) believes that persons of other denominations are part of one body of Christian believers; therefore, it recognizes and accepts baptisms by other Christian churches.

Baptism is almost always administered as part of a worship service. In the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), baptism must be authorized by the session of a particular congregation and performed by a minister.
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