Sarah Mitchell
The Catholic Church requires only one parent to be a confirmed Catholic and have received the Sacrament of Baptism for their child to be baptised. The other parent must agree to the baptism and there must be an intention for the child to be raised in the Catholic faith. Godparents are required for all baptisms, and they must be confirmed Catholics who have received their First Holy Communion. The Catholic Church encourages parents to baptise their infants within the first few weeks after birth, and a child who has not yet celebrated their 7th birthday is considered an infant in regards to baptism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of parents required to be Catholic | Only one parent needs to be Catholic, but both must agree to the baptism. |
| Parent's marital status | Parents do not need to be married in the Church. |
| Parent's confirmation status | Parents do not need to be confirmed. |
| Parent's previous baptism | At least one parent must have received the Sacrament of Baptism. |
| Parent's intention | Parents should intend to raise the child in the Catholic faith. |
| Godparent confirmation status | Godparents must be confirmed Catholics. |
| Godparent's previous baptism | Godparents must have received the Sacrament of Baptism. |
| Godparent's marital status | Godparents must be married in the Catholic understanding of sacramental marriage. |
| Godparent's number | There can be one or two godparents. |
| Godparent's gender | If there are two godparents, they must be male and female. |
| Godparent's age | Godparents must be at least 16 years old. |
| Godparent's relationship to child | Godparents cannot be the child's mother or father. |
| Time of baptism | Baptisms should take place within the first few weeks after birth. |
| Place of baptism | Baptisms usually take place in a church. |
| Parent's preparation | Parents must attend a Baptism Preparation Seminar. |
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What You'll Learn
Only one Catholic parent is required
The Catholic Church requires that at least one of the parents should be a practising Catholic willing to commit to raising their child in the Catholic faith. The other parent must agree to have the child baptised, and there must be a well-founded expectation that the child will be brought up in the Catholic tradition.
The Church's Code of Canon Law states that parents should approach the parish priest "as soon as possible after birth, even before it, [...] to ask for the sacrament for their child and to be themselves prepared for it". The first consideration in determining the time of the baptism is the welfare of the child. A child who has not yet celebrated their 7th birthday is considered an "infant" in regards to baptism within the Catholic Church.
The Rite of Baptism is the same for everyone, but the process differs slightly depending on the age of the child. Children who have reached the age of reason (generally around 7th grade) can no longer be baptised as infants and must take a RCIC (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) class to understand what the Church teaches. Adults who have not yet received the Sacrament of Baptism must go through instruction in the Catholic Faith, often in the form of RCIA (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) classes.
All baptisms (infants, older children, or adults) require a godparent, who must be a confirmed Catholic and have received their First Holy Communion.
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Parents must consent
For a child to be baptised in the Catholic Church, the parents' consent is required. At least one of the parents should be a practising Catholic, willing to commit to raising their child in the Catholic faith. If only one parent is Catholic, the other must agree to the child being baptised. There must also be a well-founded expectation that the child will be brought up in the Catholic tradition.
In addition to parental consent, the Catholic Church requires that the parents attend a Baptism Preparation Seminar. Both parents must attend if it is their first child being baptised. If the parents have already attended a seminar for an older child, their participation is welcomed but not required.
The Rite of Baptism is the same for everyone, but the process differs slightly depending on the age of the child. Children who have reached the age of reason, generally around 7th grade, can no longer be baptised as infants. These children must take an RCIC (The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) class to understand the teachings of the Church.
The welfare of the child is the first consideration when determining the time of baptism. While the Catholic Church states that parents should see to the baptism of their infants within the first few weeks after birth, this timeframe may be interpreted flexibly to accommodate special family considerations.
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Godparents must be confirmed Catholics
While parents do not need to be confirmed Catholics to have their child baptised, the same does not apply to godparents. Godparents are expected to be confirmed, practising Catholics who are in good standing with the Church. They should be at least 16 years of age and faithfully believe in and practice the Catholic faith as a participating member of a parish community.
Canon 874 states that a godparent must "be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on." It would be difficult to guide anyone through the process of Catholic initiation if one isn't fully initiated themselves. A godparent needs to love and actively practice the faith if they are to pass it on effectively.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that godparents should be "firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptised — child or adult — on the road". Godparents must nurture their own faith through prayer and ongoing formation. One of the most important things a godparent can do is pray regularly for the person being baptised. It is beneficial for the godparent to maintain an ongoing relationship with the person being baptised to help guide them in growing as a Christian.
Church law only requires one godparent, but it has been a tradition to have two. If there are two godparents, they must be of opposite sexes. A non-Catholic can serve as an "official witness" to the baptism, but only if there is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all the requirements of a godparent.
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Parents should attend a preparation class
The preparation class is designed to ensure that parents understand the commitment they are making before God. It is a serious responsibility to ensure that the child is raised in the Catholic faith, taught to love virtue, and guided in their understanding of faith as they grow older. The class will also cover the role of the godparents, who are there to support the parents and ensure the child is brought up in the practice of the Catholic faith.
The preparation class is a requirement for parents, and both parents are expected to attend if it is their first child being baptized. If the parents have already attended such a class for an older child, their participation is welcomed but not required. The class is also open to godparents, who have their own set of guidelines to follow.
Preparation classes are offered online and in-person. Online classes are a convenient option for those with busy schedules or those who live far away. The online course offered by CatechismClass.com is a self-guided program that can be completed in 1-2 hours and includes a certificate of completion. This course is ideal for those who are unable to attend an in-person class or who prefer a faster, more flexible option.
In-person classes are also available and are usually held at the parish where the baptism will take place. These classes are a great opportunity to connect with other parents and godparents in the community and to discuss the hopes and expectations for the newly baptized child.
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The child's baptism may encourage parents' faith
The Catholic Church encourages parents to have their infants baptised within the first few weeks after birth. This is because the Church believes that baptism is the door to the life of faith and the salvation that follows it. The Church Father Gregory Nazianzen said: "Do you have an infant child? Allow sin no opportunity; rather, let the infant be sanctified from childhood. From his most tender age let him be consecrated by the Spirit."
Baptism is a celebration of the Catholic community where one worships, and so parents are encouraged to celebrate with their home parish. Parents are also expected to attend a short preparation meeting with a member of the parish staff to talk over the nature of the Baptismal Rite and their role in raising children in the profession and practice of the Catholic faith.
The Baptism of a child can be a tipping point for a parent to move towards a greater commitment to the practice of the faith. If one of the parents is a practising Catholic, and the other parent is in agreement, the child can be baptised. There must also be an expectation that the child will be brought up in the Catholic tradition. The parents, godparents, priest, and the rest of the community welcome the child and signify this welcome by marking the child with the sign of the cross. The community is then obliged to protect this newest member, guiding, advising, and nurturing the child as they progress in their understanding of the faith.
The role of the parents is to be the first and foremost teachers of the faith. This means that they must hold true to the Catholic Church's teachings and actively participate in worship and liturgical celebrations of the Church.
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Frequently asked questions
No, parents do not have to be confirmed to baptize their child. However, at least one parent should be a practicing Catholic and willing to commit to raising their child in the Catholic faith.
If only one parent is Catholic, the other parent must agree to have the child baptized and there must be a well-founded expectation that the child will be brought up in the Catholic tradition.
If neither parent is Catholic but there is an earnest desire for the child to be raised in the Catholic faith, the Church will work with the parents on baptizing the child and addressing any specific concerns.
