Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    ewelinkag's Avatar
    ewelinkag Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 30, 2009, 11:52 AM
    Christening - twice?
    Is it possible to be christened twice? - once with the mother's family in the mother's country, second time with the dad's family in his country.
    Please help, I'm confused.
    450donn's Avatar
    450donn Posts: 1,821, Reputation: 239
    Ultra Member
     
    #2

    Jan 30, 2009, 12:58 PM

    Anything is possible. Some religions believe in sprinkling a baby. While others believe that full immersion when a person is of an age of understanding is necessary. Not sure which religion you are so that is the best I can offer.
    ewelinkag's Avatar
    ewelinkag Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #3

    Jan 30, 2009, 01:15 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by 450donn View Post
    Anything is possible. Some religions believe in sprinkling a baby. While others believe that full immersion when a person is of an age of understanding is necessary. Not sure which religion you are so that is the best I can offer.
    450don,
    Mum's religion is roman catholic. Dad's a christian as well, anglican most probably but not sure. Does it change anything? Whichever case, the child would be baptised in roman catholic church both times but in different countries. Does it change anything or is it still fine to do it twice?
    Akoue's Avatar
    Akoue Posts: 1,098, Reputation: 113
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Jan 30, 2009, 01:57 PM

    You cannot be baptized more than once in the Catholic Church. Also, if a child is baptized in another church, the Catholic Church recognizes it as valid and won't rebaptize.
    ewelinkag's Avatar
    ewelinkag Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #5

    Jan 30, 2009, 02:30 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    You cannot be baptized more than once in the Catholic Church. Also, if a child is baptized in another church, the Catholic Church recognizes it as valid and won't rebaptize.
    Question is - how will the church in another country know that the baby's been baptised in another church few thousand miles away? That seems to be the trick
    Akoue's Avatar
    Akoue Posts: 1,098, Reputation: 113
    Ultra Member
     
    #6

    Jan 30, 2009, 02:39 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ewelinkag View Post
    question is - how will the church in another country know that the baby's been baptised in another church few thousand miles away? that seems to be the trick
    Is this really the kind of thiing you want to be tricky about? If you obtain a second baptism under false pretenses it won't be valid. But why lie about it?
    ewelinkag's Avatar
    ewelinkag Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #7

    Jan 30, 2009, 03:32 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    Is this really the kind of thiing you want to be tricky about? If you obtain a second baptism under false pretenses it won't be valid. But why lie about it?
    That's what I keep saying but some people know better. I'm on a mission sent by my mate, you know ;)
    Just trying to find out the 'legal'/practical side of it. Seems like it can be done and that's what I've been asked to find out.

    It just seems to me that even though practically you can do it without being caught in any way, it doesn't really make sense to do it.

    In addition - can it be treated similarly to the 'renewing of the wedding vows'? Because I'd like to establish if getting a second baptism would be in some way 'against the rules' and therefore 'illegal' in any way.
    Akoue's Avatar
    Akoue Posts: 1,098, Reputation: 113
    Ultra Member
     
    #8

    Jan 30, 2009, 04:13 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ewelinkag View Post
    that's what i keep saying but some people know better. im on a mission sent by my mate, you know ;)
    just trying to find out the 'legal'/practical side of it. seems like it can be done and that's what ive been asked to find out.

    it just seems to me that even tho practically you can do it without being caught in any way, it doesnt really make sense to do it.

    in addition - can it be treated similarly to the 'renewing of the wedding vows'? cos i'd like to establish if getting a second baptism would be in some way 'against the rules' and therefore 'illegal' in any way.
    It is, in fact, against the rules. The only time a second baptism is permitted is in cases where it cannot be determined whether the first one was valid. In such cases a second, provisional, baptism can be performed. So, no, it is not akin to the renewing of wedding vows. The sacrament of baptism is not repeatable.

    You're on the right side of this. Scamming one's way to a second baptism is a serious thing, and it's wrong. I see why you are baffled why anyone would want to do it. I am too. If you believe the sacrament is real--which is presumably, why you'd want it for your child--then why on earth would you abuse it in this way? Maybe you can reason with your friend. I wish you success in that.
    ewelinkag's Avatar
    ewelinkag Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #9

    Jan 30, 2009, 05:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    It is, in fact, against the rules. The only time a second baptism is permitted is in cases where it cannot be determined whether the first one was valid. In such cases a second, provisional, baptism can be performed. So, no, it is not akin to the renewing of wedding vows. The sacrament of baptism is not repeatable.

    You're on the right side of this. Scamming one's way to a second baptism is a serious thing, and it's wrong. I see why you are baffled why anyone would want to do it. I am too. If you believe the sacrament is real--which is presumably, why you'd want it for your child--then why on earth would you abuse it in this way? Maybe you can reason with your friend. I wish you success in that.
    Another argument for me to overrule is that the families don't really know/like/can communicate with each other and it's actually quite impossible for them all to take part in one big christening ceremony (not to mention the fact that there is a huge language barrier). Plus the baby's parents are from two very different cultures (like african-caribbean now based in UK and slovak in this case) which causes even more problems with the 'lets do it this way' situation. So the easiest and most practical way for them seems to be having two celebrations for two families.

    Is there any way to have some sort of a 'detour'? Because there's no way of them meeting on a common ground and having a proper two-families-together christening. Not a chance.
    Akoue's Avatar
    Akoue Posts: 1,098, Reputation: 113
    Ultra Member
     
    #10

    Jan 30, 2009, 05:41 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ewelinkag View Post
    another argument for me to overrule is that the families dont really know/like/can communicate with each other and it's actually quite impossible for them all to take part in one big christening ceremony (not to mention the fact that there is a huge language barrier). plus the baby's parents are from two very different cultures (like african-caribbean now based in UK and slovak in this case) which causes even more problems with the 'lets do it this way' situation. so the easiest and most practical way for them seems to be having two celebrations for two families.

    is there any way to have some sort of a 'detour'? cos there's no way of them meeting on a common ground and having a proper two-families-together christening. not a chance.
    Not sure what you have in mind by "detour". Maybe you could say a little more.

    One thing they could do is to have the baby baptized with one group present and then, when they visit the other group, have a blessing done by a priest. That would at least give those who aren't present at the baptism a religious occasion to celebrate. It would be easy: All they'd have to do is ask the priest to bless the child. This could be done in a church or at someone's home. They may feel like they're missing out, inasmuch as they can't all be at the baptism, but it would be something. In any event, they absolutely must not have the child baptized a second time. Some other arrangement has to be negotiated among the parties.
    Wondergirl's Avatar
    Wondergirl Posts: 39,354, Reputation: 5431
    Jobs & Parenting Expert
     
    #11

    Jan 30, 2009, 06:10 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ewelinkag View Post
    question is - how will the church in another country know that the baby's been baptised in another church few thousand miles away? that seems to be the trick
    How will they know? The baptizing priest or minister signs something official called a baptimal certificate, and a record is made with the baptism date and other important information for the church's records. People in the U.S. looking for information about ancestors for the family tree often contact or go to churches in Europe, etc. for baptism information. Usually the records include the names of the parents, the child's date of birth, the mother's maiden name, etc.

    My husband and two children and I each have our own baptismal certificate. I have my grandparents' that were framed in Germany. The churches named on the certificates have kept records of these baptisms.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
    Expert
     
    #12

    Jan 30, 2009, 07:19 PM

    It just depends on the denomination.

    I have been baptised 5 times though the years, it is not uncommon on a trip to the HOLY land to be baptised in the Jordon.

    But it is just a matter to discuss with the priest or minister you are dealing
    Akoue's Avatar
    Akoue Posts: 1,098, Reputation: 113
    Ultra Member
     
    #13

    Jan 30, 2009, 07:59 PM

    Since the OP has stated the two denominations in play are Catholic and Anglican, I would recommend having the baby baptized in the Church in which it's going to be raised. Neither countenances multiple baptisms.
    arcura's Avatar
    arcura Posts: 3,773, Reputation: 191
    Ultra Member
     
    #14

    Jan 31, 2009, 12:45 AM
    ewelinkag,
    I have seen this done when a former baptism could not be varified.
    The priest baptized the person this way.

    "If you, (the person's name is mentioned) are not baptize you in the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

    The reason is that only one baptism is valid IF the first one one done propery.
    In MOST cases a church baptism is valid. In a few cases that is not so such as Several churches such as the Catholic does not hold a baptism by the LDS as valid so a proper valid bapism is done.
    Peace and kindness,
    Fred
    ewelinkag's Avatar
    ewelinkag Posts: 9, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #15

    Jan 31, 2009, 03:53 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Akoue View Post
    Not sure what you have in mind by "detour". Maybe you could say a little more.

    One thing they could do is to have the baby baptized with one group present and then, when they visit the other group, have a blessing done by a priest. That would at least give those who aren't present at the baptism a religious occasion to celebrate. It would be easy: All they'd have to do is ask the priest to bless the child. This could be done in a church or at someone's home. They may feel like they're missing out, inasmuch as they can't all be at the baptism, but it would be something. In any event, they absolutely must not have the child baptized a second time. Some other arrangement has to be negotiated among the parties.
    Akoue,

    That's the perfect solution and they seem to like it so thank you very much :)

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Music to use in christening video [ 2 Answers ]

Hi all. I have recently filmed a christening of my girlfriends nephew and am in need of some idea's for songs that I could use with it. I am grateful for any of your idea's. Thanks in advance. :):):)

Does anyone have any ideas for organizing a Christening? [ 3 Answers ]

Hey, I am trying to organize my daughter's Christening in Milton Keynes. It will take place in a church and the after party is being held in my home. I need help on buffet food, what music to play(we are making some cd's-but bear in mind I am only 20 so I want to have heard of the music!), what...

Christening at 28 years old. [ 3 Answers ]

My husband is Catholic and I am Prodestant, we married in the Prodenstant church as my husband said if we had children he didn't want them brought up in the Catholic faith, we had 2 children and decided that as they grew up we let them make up there own minds. So we didn't have them christened, now...


View more questions Search