Some questions about baptism in the Catholic church.

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Is anyone here Catholic who could answer a few questions for me?

Ds3 is due this year and DP is keen for him to be baptised, he is Carholic.
I am happy for this to happen.
So questions,

1. I also have 2 DS from a previous relationship, I would like them to be baptised at the same time, they have very limited contact with their father but he has perental rights as he's on the birth certificate, do I legally have to get his permission to baptise them and will the church allow this without his permission?

1. Will it matter that DP and I aren't married?

1. How many god parents are we supposed to choose and can these be anyone or is there a criteria, can they be our own siblings/parents?

Forgive me for sounding ignorant, I was brought up in a C of E family and was christened and confirmed in our local C of E priory and I'm not sure how each religion differs.

TIA

I think a lot of it actually comes down to the parish priest..some might be funny about you & dp not being married but others would just be overjoyed that you want your child baptised Catholic. You should def ring up your local church & just ask to meet the priest for a chat.

Can't answer about the legal permission, but re godparents you can have as many as you like! But standard is 2.. I think one needs to be Catholic but yes it can be anyone, doesn't have to be a couple.

Sorry, slightly vague answers! But hope that helps.. good luck with it :)

Why do you want them to be baptized? Does your dp go to Mass on Sundays, and does he receive Communion? Does he go to Confession?

Usually at lead two godparents, one of whom needs to be confirmed and practicing Catholic.

It is unusual for a child to be baptised if they don't have Catholic parents. In fact I don't know of it happening at all although technically a priest can baptise without any parental permission but I think only in extreme cases such as imminent death. I know a child who has been refused baptism for this reason (half sister has been baptised but has one Catholic parent)

Don't know about marriage. My current priest wouldn't do it but my old one would.

I think you only need 1 godparent as minimum but how ever many you have 1 should be a practising Catholic. They can be your siblings.

If neither one of you is a Catholic then the priest will not proceed.

If at least one if you is RC then you will need to go to preparation classes in most parishes. You will be asked to provide an assurance that you will bring up the baby as a Catholic to the best of your ability because Catholic baptism is seen as a beginning of life in the Church and not just a one off event. If your DP hasn't received Communion or hasn't been confirmed, the priest may ask him to consider both sacraments. The priest may ask if you are considering marriage and may want to know about church attendance or other evidence of commitment to the church.

Godparents -- usually two but there can be more, but only two will be entered on the register of baptism, and at least one needs to be a practicing Catholic who has been Confirmed.

I suspect since your ex has joint legal custody the Church would like to have his permission to have his two children with you baptised. It may depend on what sort of decisions are in your remit as a joint parent, but the Church may also wish to acknowledge the parenthood of the DCs' father and have him involved in the decision.

Sorry just read your DP is a Catholic.

Why is DP keen for his soon to be born son baptised as a Catholic? That is the issue any priest would want to explore,

Sorry I have just seen all the replies!

DP's faith is very important to him.
He doesn't go to church every week but his religion is a huge part of him, he prays regularly and his family are also practicing Catholics.

He needs to talk to his priest. I thought you had to go to Mass every week - at least? All my family do, and some of them aren't really even that into it (most are though). Unless he has some other way of receiving Communion?