Do you have to have been married in a Catholic Church in order to have your child baptized Catholic?

Question

My husband and I are both Catholic but were married in a Presbyterian Church (my uncle is a minister). Do we need to have our marriage blessed by the Catholic church in order to have any of our children baptized Catholic?

Answer 1

No, there isn't any requisite like that.

However, some parishes have come to require that the children baptised there are part of families that belong to the parish. In other words, they might not do it if you're not a churchgoing practising Catholic.

If you go to a church and ask for a baptism, but then tell them you're from a different parish, they might need to get documentation from that other parish's priest to be able to carry this out.

The reason is that the Church is trying hard to emphasise the bond between parishioners and parish. It also applies in marriages. If you belong to parish A but want to get married in parish B, you'd need your pastor from parish A; the pastor from parish A will probably be the one to preside at parish B in such a case.

It depends on your diocese. It's the regulation in mine, but it might be different in yours.

Although, I do say it's best if you get your marriage blessed by a priest. Something like this is easy to do; just go up to your priest and ask to get the ball rolling. Dioceses usually require a minimum of four to six months for the couple to get prepared spiritually, but in your case, it might actually be cut shorter since you guys are already married. Either case, ask your parish or call your chancery.

You know, when you got married in the Presbyterian Church, you could have have a Catholic priest as a witness; that also works out. You could do it before a judge with a Catholic priest as a witness and that would be okay too.

The rules seem harsh, but they're really very flexible. Remember, your priest is there to help.

Answer 2

I don't think so. I'm not married and when I was looking to have my child baptized, I spoke to the Pastor at my church and all you had to do was become a member. I wasn't prepared to do that (I practice seldom, but wanted my son baptized Catholic since I am) so he ended up being baptized Nondenominational. I guess it depends on the church because I had also heard about people having their child baptized in a church and not being a member. The best you can do is call and ask, but not having been married in a Catholic Church shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 3

No....but the Catholic Church doesn't even recognize your marriage..except as a civil marriage. In the Catholic Church marriage is a Sacrament. Get it blessed before you ask the Church for the Sacrament of Baptism for your children. OR.....have it blessed and then later during the same ceremony -- preferably at Mass with your worshipping community as witnesses but especially where Baptism makes the kids members of the Church -- have them baptized. God bless. Remember, they need to have TWO Godparents....one of whom MUST be a Catholic in good standing. If anything happens to you, it falls to the Godparents for their Religious up-bringing. JUST the Religious part....they don't have to adopt the kids -- just make certain their faith formation as Catholics continues.

Answer 4

I do not believe so - although I think you still need at least one godparent to be Catholic. note that this is a requirement even upon Catholic couples who received all the previous sacraments in the Catholic church.

Still, you will want to talk with your priest so he understands your intent.

Congratulations on your child, by the way! Children are a blessing from the Lord.

Answer 5

I don't think they look on where you get married rather they will ask you to raise your child catholic and follow those ways.
My sister-in-law isn't even catholic and they got married in a catholic church and they are going to baptize my niece soon there.

Answer 6

Very likely, because Church law states, "For an infant to be baptized licitly...there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason." (Code of Canon Law 868.1.2)

How can you bring up your child in a religion you are not practicing?

Answer 7

No,but if you are both Catholic,want to raise your children Catholic and have no impediments that cannot be corrected,why not get your marriage validated in a little Catholic ceremony before a priest?

Answer 8

<> Catholic parents must raise their children in the beleifs and practices of the Catholic Church. <> It IS True. Infant Baptism is Biblical. Times do change, but that is irrelevant as Dogma remains the same for all-time. <> What you have to understand is that, by having your child Baptized as an infant, you are NOT negating any "license" to choose another path.

Answer 9

NO. I wasnt even married and had my son baptized Catholic.

Answer 10

Naughty Naughty your now Presbyterian