Advice needed re seeing priest about christening

[Mosschops30]

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[Mud]

cant you just say that? it depends how progressvie the man is doens't it?

[Mum2girls]

What about asking the priest what the criteria are first?

[zubb]

Just go and tell him what you have put down here. As the children are attending a catholic school, and you are going to the Catholic church I don't think it will be a problem at all.
As a non-catholic married to one I have always found the priests very happy to help.

[frogs]

Mosschops, I would make an appointment to discuss things with the priest.

As I understand it most priests would take the view that religious education happens in the home as well as in school, and therefore they could not unreasonably ask some questions about your religious beliefs and practice. They might, for example wonder whether you were interested in being received into the Catholic church yourself, via programmes like RCIA. If this isn't something you would want, then they might wonder what your motivations for requesting Catholic baptisms were.

Some priests are happy to baptise children without asking too many questions, but they are in a minority. If you are not a regular member of the parish most will want to try and understand where you are coming from wrt to religious faith and whether baptism is the most appropriate course of action at this point. Most churches require parents to attend a pre-baptism course. During this course and during the baptism itself you will be required to state that you do accept the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic church, so it's not something you would want to do without understanding and accepting the full implications.

[Nightynight]

He might ask you outright whether you believe in God or not, so be prepared.

[Mosschops30]

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[Ameriscot2005]

I think the Roman Catholic Church is very happy to baptise as many children as possible, and they don't usually put too many impediments in your way.

The best thing is just to say to the priest what you have said here.

[gingerbear]

I am CofE with a non-practicing catholic DH. We were married in Catholic church, and DD was baptised catholic. The priest was very welcoming, and was pleased for DD to be baptised. We had to attend church for a few weeks before the baptism, although the priest didn't insist we attend at all after the baptism.

[Mosschops30]

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[beckybrastraps]

Not sure about parents. I'm catholic, dh anglican, ds and dd baptised catholics. One godparent has to be a baptised catholic, the other doesn't. One thing though - say baptism rather than christening when you talk to the priest! That's probably what he will call it.

[Mosschops30]

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[zubb]

you might have to find a catholic friends / relation quickly then, as one godparent should be catholic - well at least here thats the rule.

[beckybrastraps]

If neither you nor dh nor potential godparents are catholic, eyebrows might be raised. I don't know whether the rules are hard and fast or not. Was your dh baptised when he was younger, even if he's not into anything now? You said your MIL is a lapsed catholic?

[Mosschops30]

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[Mosschops30]

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[RachD]

We had ds christened catholic.
All dh family are catholic, although neither dh nor I attend.
Neither godparent was catholic, no one ever asked.
But priest completely ignores me and only talks to dh.
So rude.
Everyone round 'our way' comments about it.
Apparently, it has always been like that.

Don't worry.
Priest will soon let you know if there is a problem.
If not, here comes christening - great !

[frogs]

Normal to feel nervous, mosschops, after all you are discussing something that is quite personal to you. Hope it goes well for you.

[Mosschops30]

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[Mosschops30]

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[RachD]

Pleased it went well.
I'm sure that he will be very welcoming - they normally are very pleased to have a child to baptise.
Good luck.