Gift of baptism begins faith journey with diocesan policies, parent preparation

By JAMIE MCCLURE, Globe Intern
August 16, 2007

The gift of baptism is the first step in a person's faith journey, however there are policies to follow and preparation steps to take before baptism can occur.

Beginning with a child from birth to age seven, the main responsibility of the parent(s) is to show commitment and understanding of the faith in order to pass it on to their child. So, before a child is baptized, the parents have to be prepared.

"Parishes should always be ready to help in the process of understanding," said vice chancellor, Father Mark Stoll, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in Moville. "When a parent or guardian shows signs of not being ready, a baptism can be delayed."

In other cases, parents can be excused from their child's baptism preparation, but only if they participated in another child's baptism within the past couple of years.

"Many priests and parishes offer a class of sacramental preparation to parents to assist them in understanding their role in the baptism, and it varies from parish to parish with what they offer," said Father Stoll. "In my parish, I offer about an hour and a half class once a quarter to any expectant parents and I use a video and presentation which has helped for many years."

From the age of 7 to adult, a person will be baptized, confirmed and first communicated all in the same ceremony.

"The age of 7 and above is where they first begin to reason and can be able to tell right from wrong," said Father Stoll. "They can understand who Jesus is, and if the child is in the right state of mind, they would attend the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)."

Also, the Rite of Baptism cannot be refused to a child if the parents are not married.

"In some instances, some pastors in the past have forced parents to get married in order to baptize their child, but that can never happen," said Father Stoll. "You can only delay a baptism. When the parents aren't married, it can be part of the reason to delay, but never the full reason."

In the case of adoption, infants and children may be baptized as soon as the adoption process is over according to the laws in the state to which they live. A record of the adoption should be placed with the baptism record at the child or parents parish.

Parents of children with disabilities are to be involved in the preparation of their children for the celebration of sacraments. If someone lacks the use of reason is to be baptized, a parent or guardian must give their consent. When a disabled person is of catechetical age and is to be baptized, the RCIA class is used and will be adapted to the need and capacity of the person. People with disabilities who can fulfill the role and meet the canonical requirements may be a godparent or a sponsor.

When selecting godparents and/or sponsors, here are the qualifications. At least one godparent or sponsor must be a Catholic and at least 16 years old. They must be living a life of faith and not bound by any penalties. The godparent or sponsor cannot be a parent of the child and the only one godparent/sponsor is required for infants. They can be of either gender and if two godparents are chosen one of each gender is required. The godparent can serve as the sponsor once the child is confirmed.

"The godfather, who is male, must represent the father of the child and the godmother, who is female, must represent the mother of the child," said Father Stoll.

A member of the Eastern Orthodox Church is permitted to serve as a godparent along with a Catholic godparent. A baptized non-Catholic Christian can also be chosen as a witness given that there is at least one Catholic godparent. The un-baptized cannot serve as a witness.

Father Stoll explained that re-baptism would take place if a person were baptized under invalid terms. As an example, he said Mormons celebrate baptism but it is not the same as a main line Christian denomination. In that case, re-baptism would occur.

Re-baptism would be private with a minister, the person, and godparent(s). Instead of the words of the normal baptism rite, the minister would add, "If you are not baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Then, the celebration of confirmation and first Eucharist should take place in a public ceremony.

"If someone is already baptized, they cannot be re-baptized," said Father Stoll. "But, if there is not proof or memory of baptism, a conditional baptism can be performed after proper catechesis."

Sunday is the preferred day to celebrate baptism and parishes should celebrate them with Mass. When baptism is celebrated outside of Sunday Mass, members of the community should attend in order to avoid "private baptism" suspicions. There should also be music, liturgy and a homily.

A parish is the correct place for baptism and the only reason one should take place in a person's home is in case of an emergency. Baptism's are not permitted in oratories or chapels without approval of the pastor of the parish in which the chapel is located.

The ministers of baptism are bishops, priests and deacons. A child would only be baptized otherwise in the case of an emergency and a bishop, priest or deacon could not be reached. Then, a member of the faithful with the right intention can baptize them according to the Rite of Baptism. After the baptism, that person has to notify the closest parish to the hospital so the baptism is recorded.

"If a child is born in a hospital, and is in danger of death, then the baptism of that child is recorded in a local parish," said Father Stoll. "So, my understanding, for example of that is that if a child is born in St. Luke's Regional Hospital, the baptism would be recorded at Blessed Sacrament Church in Sioux City."

According to Father Stoll, in dioceses worldwide, the basic policies and rituals remain the same because of Canon Law. He also stated that it is the parish's responsibility to prepare parents and candidates who are old enough to receive the sacraments. How parishes prepare is applied differently from diocese to diocese but Sioux City reiterates what the Canon Law states.

If you want help with preparing yourself or your family for the arrival of your new baby, or you need preparation for baptism, you can attend the Welcome Your Child program.

The Welcome Your Child program was designed as a ministry to families with children from birth to age 2. The three phases address marriage and family life with information about child development and practical skills that contribute to healthy marriages and good parenting. The first phase is dedicated to prepping parents for baptism and helping to welcome the church into their home.

To learn more about this program, contact Mary Joe Pedersen at the Family Life Office in Omaha at (402) 551-9003 or email her at mjpedersen@archomaha.org. For more about the program in the Diocese of Sioux City, contact Sid and Linda Shoemaker at (712) 253-0956.