You are here:
- Home
- Religion/Spirituality
- Christianity - Catholicism
- Catholics
- Baptism Annulment
Catholics/Baptism Annulment
Advertisement
Question
Dear Sir,
I hope you will not be offended by my question, for my intentions aren't to hurt anyone, but simply ask a question that I believe can really best be answered by a knowleadgable member of the Church.
I was baptised in an anglo-catholic church in Washington DC, did my communion in France and my confirmation in Belgium. However I have never had faith in the Catholic God and do not believe or agree with what the Roman Catholic Church states, and do not go to mass.
Please understand that I have nothing against Catholics or the Catholic religion, but I do feel it unethical to still be considered by the Church as a catholic, and would like to have that mention erased from documents.
I read it is possible in France to have one's baptism "annuled", and would like to know if it is also the case in the United States (and how to proceed)?
I hope once again you will not feel offended by my question and my adressing it to you (answers I've found so far are very contradictory and not reliable..)
Thank you very much in advance,
Respectfully,
Caroline.
Hi, Caroline:
Thanks for the question.
One would have to presume that your Baptism was validly conferred; so unless you or someone could prove otherwise, there is no way to have it "anulled," as you state. I am not aware of any practice of having names and information "erased" out of the Sacramental registers. It woul dseem to me that if you don't want to have anything to do with the Catholic Faith, then just keep doing as you're doing - staying away, don't assist at Mass, etc., etc. I believe that there must be a lot more going on interiorly in your struggle if you feel the need to go to such great length to "have everything erased." It means that you there is something more in your attitude than simple carelessness - I would recommend that you look into that interior, deep matter of conscience. I pray for your cnversion and return home to Jesus Christ and His Church.
+ God bless you!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.