Saints Peter and Paul Church, San Francisco
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ethical, or historical question for any of our
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search by subject on one of the pages below. Questions, and answers,
can be found sorted by subject matter at the pages linked to
below. Our most recent question is below, as
well.
On
March 1, we received these questions:
Marriage
Hello,
We've got two Godparents for my 10 year old daughter who are a huge disappointment.Couldn't bother to even attend her 1st communion.
Is there a way to replace them with better, more involved and interested parties?
K
Fr. Harod Danielson responds:
Dear Katia,
Some months go there was a similar question. My response:
"It is not possible to remove a child's Godparent from a historical record [the Baptism register]. If the Godparent is not properly fulfilling his or her role, the best thing to do is to introduce a person into the child's life who will be a proper Christian role model. Then, when the time comes for the child to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, that person may be the Confirmation sponsor."
I think this is a timely response to your current dilemma. Of course, all of this assumes the consistent practice of the Faith in your family as the best example for your daughter.
Blessings and peace!
Fr. Harold Danielson, SDB
My baptism certificate from 1964 has been damaged (drink fell on it.) My main problem is that I was baptized in a hospital (emergency baptism) and the hospital didn’t keep records of baptisms and no church has a record of the baptism. Can I go to a priest and ask him to re-print one just from the one I have?
Fr. Harod Danielson responds:
Dear Marianne,
You can make a copy of your certificate yourself. Preserve the original as best you can.
Usually when a priest does an emergency Baptism in a hospital he will record it in the parish he lives at. If this had not been done, then you should take it to your own parish to have them make a record of it. For this opinion, please contact the diocesan Tribunal where you live and ask what and how this should be done. I do not know if I gave the best technical advice.
Blessings and peace!
Fr. Harold Danielson, SDB
What happens if your Childs Godparents are no longer around. Can you appoint another person as Godparent without going through another baptism? And if so how?
SJ
Fr. John Malloy responds:
SJ,
You can always ask someone, who is worthy, to take the place of deceased godparent(s).
However, Baptism once given can never be repeated--it lasts forever.
Fr. John J. Malloy, SDB
Dear Father.
I had my marriage annulled 9 years ago. I have recently met another Catholic that was married and more recently divorced for reasons that would not warrant an annulment in the eyes of the church.
I realize that if we were to marry, it would have to be a civil ceremony due to his status. (Not something I had planned on, but an unfortunate reality of the situation).
Does not being married in church remove me from the church? (I attend mass every Sunday, teach CCD and am an active part of the Church community). Also, if we were to have children, could they still be baptized and raised Catholic without an issue?
Any insight you can provide would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Nicole
Fr. John Malloy answers:
Nicole,
If you were to marry this man you would commit a mortal sin It would not excommunicate you, but it would prohibit your reception of the Eucharist.
Your example would make your CCD instruction suspect. I would not advise it.
You are still encouraged to attend Mass and, if you have children, to raise them Catholic.
May the Lord guide you!
Fr. John J. Malloy, SDB
Hi father!!! is there any catholic priest can officiate marriage outside church? or is it true a retired priest can officiate marrieage outside church?
Fr. John Malloy answers:
Archie,
A retired priest has the same privileges and prohibitions as a parish priest.
The practice in most of this country is for Catholics to be married in churches and usually need the Bishop's permission for the ceremony to be performed elsewhere.
Fr. John J. Malloy, SDB
Fathers,
I am Catholic and my wife is Methodist. We are expecting the birth of our baby girl in a couple weeks. We have gone back and forth on which religion we should baptize our daughter through. Of course, my mother who is Catholic feels strongly she be baptized catholic. I understand this our decision and shouldn’t be influenced by another. Here is where we run into some issues.
We have chosen the godparents as her sister (Methodist) and my friend (Catholic). My understanding is, if we baptize our daughter in the Catholic Church, her sister could be a “witness” but would not be recognized as a godparent. I understand we do only need one godparent. I also understand that if we are baptizing a child in the Catholic Church we are going to raise her Catholic. I understand it might be a contradiction to have a Protestant Godparent for a Catholic, but she is a strong and practicing Christian. Would she be in fact, only considered a witness?
I guess in some ways I am answering my own question, but I feel a confirmation of what I believe I understand can help with our decision. I am also in need of some guidance in how to make my mother understand. I have explained to her in so many ways and she is still pretty consistent. Again, I understand this is our decision to make, but sometimes that is easier said than done. I wish she understood as much as she has her reasons to want her to be Catholic, my wife’s mother would have the same wants for her to be Methodist. I thought the most important thing would be baptizing her as a Christian and bringing her up with knowledge of her faith.
Shaun
Fr. Malloy answers:
Shaun,
Rules and regulations you seem to know thoroughly.
However, I don' think a Catholic parish would allow you a Catholic baptism. At least one parent would have to be a practicing Catholic.
Fr. John J. Malloy, SDB
For all other questions and answers, use the links at the top of this page.