Can a child be baptized without a parent doing their sacrament of confirmation?

Answer 1

While it is possible, and while any attempted baptism which takes place outside of the presence of a mother is certainly valid, such an action is usually inappropriate.

Usually the context of such a question would be a situation where the parents of a child are separated or divorced. While both parents have the right, duty, and obligation under Church law to present children for baptism, (all other things being equal: regular church membership and attendance, approaching one's own pastor, etc) this is usually a joint decision and action. When parents are separated or divorced, in civil law, it is the custodial parent who must consent to a baptism. Non-custodial parents may not present children for baptism without the consent of the custodial parent. In the event of joint custody, the parents must both consent. Usually consent is manifested by presence at a baptism celebration. Short of that, priests are wise to obtain written consent.

Thus, a non-custodial parent may not present a child for baptism on a weekend where he or she might have visitation with the children, unless the non-custodial parent has the expressed consent of the custodial parent. (A priest should ask for written consent in these cases.) Priests who err in this procedure and baptise without custodial parent's consent are usually acting in good faith, unaware of the cruel things that divorced people do to each other in order to 'get at' the other. A non-custodial parent who usurps the right and duty of a custodial parent to direct the religious upbringing of their children in most circumstances commits a grave offense.

It should also be noted that it is inappropriate for children to be baptized more than once. If, for instance, a child is baptized in a custodial parent's faith (let's say, Episcopalian), the non-custodial parent cannot later have the child baptized in the Catholic Church. Once baptized with water and the Trinitarian formula, always baptized. While anyone may baptize validly, non-custodial parents (or grandparents) should not attempt baptizing children themselves privately... presents a very difficult situation for all involved when proof of baptism is necessary for First Communion, Confirmation, etc. It may also constitute a grave offense against the rights of the custodial parent.

Also, it should be noted that Church law itself anticipates the case where death is imminent. If a child is in real danger death, either parent, even in the absence of the other, may move to have a child baptized. This would include the divorced/separated situation presented above.

Historically speaking, it was quite common before the modern age (1950's to present) for the father to take the newborn child to the local church to be baptized that very day.

Answer 2

Of course - any Christian can baptize with or without permission.

Answer

Usually both parents have to meet with the pastor before a christening of a baby. I guess some churches are different and have their own rules but in my experience both parents must consent. If the parents are divorced and the mother has sole custody then the father's permission may not be needed. I would just talk to the church where you would like to have the christening and see what their rules are.

This would be true except where separated oarents have equal parental responsibility. Then I think the father's permission would need be needed as parental responsibility outlines that parents have a legal right to discuss important issues surrounding medical care, education and religion.

Answer 3

For a child to be baptized, the parents have to be willing to bring up the child in the practice of the faith. So in normal circumstances the parent's permission is needed.

However, in danger of death, a person can be baptized without the parent's permission.

On occasion, if mothers choose not to have their children baptized, a grandmother has been known to secretly baptize. This iwas done to free the child from original sin and give them the right to heaven. However, while baptism frees one from original sin, we live in the hope that all innocent children are saved, and no longer teach "limbo" as a place wher unbaptized babies go.

Normally, both parents should consent to baptism; if father has sole custody, then mother's permission is not needed.If both parents have custody and are disagreeing about baptism, the church only needs to know ( well founded hope) that at least one of the parents is willing to bring up the child as catholic. In this case the child can be baptized without the mother's consent if the father is willing, and vice versa.Unfortunately, this may create a family conflict, but the child has the right to be baptized.

Answer 4

To the best of my knowledge, you only need one parent's permission to baptize your child, although it would certainly be better if the other parent were at least not opposed, for whatever reason. You really need to speak with your parish priest about this.

Answer 5

No, not under normal circumstances, which is not to say that there might not occur extraordinary circumstances under which it might happen, but that would be up to the pastor, and would be most rare. Church teaching says that parents are the first educators of their child, and that there must be a reasonable hope that a child will be brought up in the faith. Without such a hope, baptism would be worse than useless. However, in danger of death, a child must always be baptized, regardless.

Answer 6

if they aren't married

Answer 7

Yes.