Expert: Charlie B - 4/6/2011

Question
I am Catholic, my husband is Protestant and we were married 9 years ago in a Congregational church. I attended Catholic school for all 13 years of my basic education and he attended a Christian school for his. Neither of us attend church regularly, but believe in our own faiths. We recently had our first child. We have discussed baptism, but are unsure what we should do and where. Can we baptize in a Catholic church? Is our marriage even recognized in the Catholic church? He feels that he can not support a religion that does not recognize it or his religion. Any help and insight would be appreciated.

Thank you

Answer
Carolyn,
Thanks for your question.  The fact that you desire to have your son baptized in the Church is noteworthy and important -- good for you!

For the Catholic Church that you want to baptize your son, go see that priest with these same questions.  One, he's likely to tell you, "why do you want to baptize your son the Church when you do not attend Mass? (regularly)"   You need to ponder this fact yourself.  Even if you take your son to Mass and your husband doesn't join you, GO anyway -- I encourage you.

Ask him if your marriage is recognized, and he'll likely say 'yes.'  

Now, contrary to your husband's viewpoint that Roman Catholic's don't recognize his religion, nothing could be further from the truth.  See http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/weeks-prayer-doc/...

What he's really saying is that he dislikes the authority of the Church in such matters, and for that, there is no satisfactory answer for him.

By the way, have hope for his conversion:  16 years ago, I was protestant.  :-)
Good luck and God bless,
Charlie

PS -- evaluations are welcomed and appreciated.