Would the Catholic Church baptize a child if the parents were married by a Justice of the Peace?

Question

Both parents are non-practicing Catholics..Since the couple were not married in a church, the Catholic church doesn't acknowledge the marriage. In the eyes of the Catholic church, this couple are not married. Therefore, their child was born to unwed parents.

I know they could find a Protestant church to perform the baptism but both sets of grandparents want the baby baptized in a Catholic church and the couple would like to honor their request.

Answer 1

Just do it!

God love you!

Answer 2

Not the child of non Practicing Catholics. One must fully intend to raise the child in the faith. The fact whether the parents are married or not is not an issue.

Answer 3

It depends on the priest. I have met priests that would not do it unless the parents had their marriage blessed and went to confession and I have met priests that would not really care about the parents. If a baby is brought to them for baptism then they will baptize the child regardless. There is the requirement of atleast one practicing catholic to serve as a godparent.  

Answer 4

It depends.

One requirement is that the parents have to promise that they will raise the child as a Catholic.

If there is something in the parents' lifestyle that makes the priest think that they will not uphold this promise then he can "delay" the baptism of the child until the situation is resolved.

Exceptions are made for emergency situations like danger of death.

For more information, see the Code of Canon Law, section 868: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__...

With love in Christ.

Answer 5

It all depends. . .

The fact the parents are non-practicing Catholics presents the biggest obstacle. The Church is not apt to Baptize the child(ren) of non-practicing Catholics. When the parents ask the Church to Baptize their child, they are promising the Church that they will raise and educate their child in the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church.

Non-practicing Catholics are not in a position to take this obligation to heart so, most likely, the Church will refuse to Baptize the child on these grounds.

I didn't think non-Catholic Christian Churches were fond of Baptizing babies. Even if you were to find one, the parents are still not serious in their obligation to raise their child in the beliefs and practices of any (?) Church.

So what's the point?

Answer 6

Well, I was under the impression that the Church would, but I see others have said no. I'll have to research this.

ADDED: Okay it seems that non-practicing Catholics, who intend to continue to be "non-practicing" cannot have their child baptized in the Catholic faith.

I found this:

"It is only licit to baptize when there is a "founded hope" [phrase in Canon Law] that a child will be brought up in the practice of the Faith. If the child has no chance of growing up in the practice of the Faith, what is the point? In that case [for what it's worth in the mind of the parent], baptize in the kitchen sink, if there is no community of Faith to support the one baptized, but not in church."

My understanding of this means that if they bring their child in to be baptized in the Catholic Church without the intention of raising the child Catholic, the baptism is "illicit" but it is still a valid sacrament. The child is still baptized, but the rite was illicit.

Answer 7

the catholic church will not baptise the baby if the family is non practicing.  If it is baptised, but not learn the faith, he becomes prime target for satan. what good will baptism do, if the child does not learn to obey the 10 commandments, and grows up having s*x, and never goes to confession?  Because he dont know any better, he was never taught. Yet, baptism leaves an indelible mark on the soul, and the devil knows and he will certainly devour the ignorant baptised person like a roaring lion.

Answer 8

They will if the God parents are catholic and married by the catholic church or if it a single person who is going to be the Godparent then they should be single(not living with anyone) and should be a practicing  catholic. It's really hard my husband and i  are married by the justice of the peace and we have 3 children we need to baptize but because of their rules we can't . We don't know any one who fits the above rules!! Good Luck hope it works out!