Maybe there's a small chance...

[Paraskevi Markou]

Hello everybody,

Yes, I should know better but... Here's the thing: I am married (in the Orthodox Church) to a Roman Catholic. I was very happy to find out that it was possible and I have a very happy marriage. My husband's sister gave birth to a girl and asked me to baptise her in the Catholic Religion. She knows that I might say no and I explained her that I was very honored but I don't think is possible or acceptable but I am going to ask my priest and let her know and she totally understands. I cannot talk to my Priest before next week and I couldn't wait for an answer. Does anybody know if is possible to baptise a child in the Roman Catholic Church? Thank you

[Father David Moser]

Hello everybody,

Yes, I should know better but... Here's the thing: I am married (in the Orthodox Church) to a Roman Catholic. I was very happy to find out that it was possible and I have a very happy marriage. My husband's sister gave birth to a girl and asked me to baptise her in the Catholic Religion. She knows that I might say no and I explained her that I was very honored but I don't think is possible or acceptable but I am going to ask my priest and let her know and she totally understands. I cannot talk to my Priest before next week and I couldn't wait for an answer. Does anybody know if is possible to baptise a child in the Roman Catholic Church? Thank you

It is certainly possible to baptise a child in the Roman Catholic Church - they do it all the time. BUT, if your child is baptised Roman Catholic then your child will not be Orthodox - but rather a member of the Roman Catholic Church. You will not be able to commune your child in the Orthodox Church (or for that matter your child will not be able to receive any sacraments from the Orthodox Church.)

Also, it is a matter of form that for any mixed marriage the understanding is always implied (and usually stated) that any children born of the marriage will be raised Orthodox.

The one bit of information you left out of your question - what does your husband say about all this?

Fr David Moser

[Paul Cowan]

Why would your sister in law ask you to baptize her child? Why would she not have her own child baptised? If she is also Catholic as your husband, this should not be a problem. If she is not, perhaps this is a window of opportunity to share the Orthodox Faith with her?

[Paraskevi Markou]

I think i didn't ask my question right. Could I as a Christian Orthodox baptise or christen (if i may) the little girl in the Roman Catholic Church? They told me that for the Roman Catholics make no difference what Church I follow but will the Orthodox religion let me become a godmother to a Roman Catholic child?

[Anna K.]

I think Paraskevi is asking about being asked to be a god-parent to a Roman Catholic baby. I'm sorry I can't answer your question, someone else here will know better.

In Christ Anna K

[Father David Moser]

I think i didn't ask my question right.

Sorry! You asked your question right - I just read it wrong!

I don't know that there is a rule that you could or could not be a godmother to this child, however, consider the role of the godparent. The godparent is there to guarantee or ensure that the child grows up in the Church and is taught and educated in the faith and is supported in living the life of the Church. At some basic level that responsibility is not going to conflict, but when that infant becomes a young woman of 15 who is looking for a way to rebel against her parents, you may end up in a difficult place trying to help her to find her spiritual identity in a religious tradition with which you do not necessarily agree.

But your absolute best option is to ask your priest.

Fr David Moser

[Eric Peterson]

Orthodox may not be godparents for non-Orthodox. Practically speaking, you as an Orthodox would be asked to raise the child in the Roman Catholic faith, which is against the Orthodox faith.

Also, from what I know, Roman Catholics do not accept non-Roman Catholic godparents, whether or not they actually practice this, I believe it's in their rules.

[Herman Blaydoe]

The use of godparents or "sponsors" in Baptism dates back to the days when Christians were persecuted by the Roman Emperor Nero. Parents were often massacred during these persecutions. Thus sponsors were provided to instruct the children in the Christian faith in the event the parents were martyred. The godparent promises to see to it that the child is raised and educated in the Faith. You simply have to make it clear to them that you will do everything in your power to ensure their child is raised to be Orthodox, then see if they still want you to be a godparent.

Although I might still double-check with my own priest, to be sure!

Herman the Pooh

[Kypreos]

Orthodox may not be godparents for non-Orthodox.

That is my understanding also. Orthodox Christians cannot participate in the religious services of any other faith, ex. godparents, best man at wedding...etc.

Baptism is a Holy Sacrament. We don't believe in theirs, so how can we be a part of it?

[Nicolaj]

Baptism is a Holy Sacrament. We don't believe in theirs, so how can we be a part of it?

This is quite simplified! Think like the samaritian, and your heart will not be that hard. Or can you say with absolute rightness that the walls which divide us here on earth reach also up to heaven?

But the statement as brought by Father Moser is right, and there don't have to be added any hard words to it.

In Christ, Nicolaj

[Eric Peterson]

I don't see how the statement was hard-hearted. Following St. Cyprian of Carthage's sacramentology, the Church recognizes no sacraments outside her boundaries. And the Church has clear boundaries, even extending past death, which is why we cannot pray for non-Orthodox departed by name in the church services.

[Nicolaj]

I don't see how the statement was hard-hearted. Following St. Cyprian of Carthage's sacramentology, the Church recognizes no sacraments outside her boundaries. And the Church has clear boundaries, even extending past death, which is why we cannot pray for non-Orthodox departed by name in the church services.

Has the Church this clear boundaries? Jesus himself says that there will be people in Heaven whom you might not expect there, and others who you might expect to see there, won't be around, because they are somewhere like hell. So why should I condemn anyone as my Lord Himself says that vengeance and judgment are His and ONLY owned by Him!

And I also pray much for non-orthodox people as well, at home with my prayer-rope. Because they are part of my family, they are friends of me, and they are parents of me. Love your parents!
All life is created by God with more Love as all of us together will ever possess, and to stick to your tribe of religion, doesn't say anything about the quality of the religion of any other.

I have been in very many different religious groups. Now God finally led me to Orthodoxy and I can say that it is the true Religion, but therefor I don't sit in my ivory tower pointing at others and throwing mud at them.

In Christ, Nicolaj

[Misha]

I don't think that anyone of us would go if a Jehova's wittness or a pentecostal or a buddhist or a muslim or a jew calls us to be an active part of a religious ceremony in their temples,with their priests.

I can't see why our behaviour to latins should be different.

[Alice]

Dear Paraskevi,

What is done sometimes in these interfaith situations is that your priest might ask you to be a second or honorary godparent, and that a Roman Catholic godparent serve as primary godparent. (one famous situation in the Orthodox Church that comes to mind is that of the Greek royals children's baptisms at the Phanar with honorary royal godparents from other Christian traditions).

We live side by side with our Roman Catholic brethren in the U.S.-- in marriages, friends and families, and even monastic priests from Greece are realizing this different reality, and are respectful of them, so I am sure that your priest will be sensitive to the situation and guide you in the best way.

In the Greek Orthodox church and community, as you may know, many godparents are not good ones at all. I don't mean only in a spiritual sense either. They often do not see or have communication with the children and couldn't care less about them. Such is the sad case with both my children's godparents. Sometimes they think that gifts without any other communication suffices.

Therefore, be conscious of the honour you have been given in this respect, and after consultation with your priest, take the honour (even if you cannot take the religious part) seriously. Even as an honorary godparent, you can care about the child's spiritual life, however, since so many Orthodox and Catholic young people in the U.S. do not know or care about God at all.

As for them being Roman Catholic, I do not think that we will see a schism and disdain in heaven as we see here. The extent of love which our hearts and souls hold for our Christ and for our fellow man, as He commanded, will more likely determine our place at the awesome judgement seat.

In Christ,
Alice

[Nicolaj]

There is a difference in not participate in feasts which doesn't compare to our orthodox dogma and in the reasons for doing this.

If I try to live my life pious according to what the orthodox Church thought me, I will not go into the religious feast, because I think it will harm my spiritual wellbeing. But I do not go there because I think they are condemned and ready for hell.

All humans are children of God, for only He is able to give life. Some may lose the chosen status, but only if they reject the Lord they will lose Heaven.

In Christ, Nicolaj

[Misha]

Orthodox used to live together with various heretics during the 1000 years of the ,so called,Byzantium.
But they always avoided to take part in "interfaith" ceremonies.
They prefered to walk in the narrow path.

[Eric Peterson]

Why is it that whenever someone points out that there are clear dividing lines between Orthodox and non-Orthodox, several people seem to think that's an automatic condemnation to hell for the non-Orthodox. For pity's sake, don't read what's not there!

[Alice]

Why is it that whenever someone points out that there are clear dividing lines between Orthodox and non-Orthodox, several people seem to think that's an automatic condemnation to hell for the non-Orthodox. For pity's sake, don't read what's not there!

I am sorry for the misunderstanding, Eric. I was not doing that at all.

My post to Paraskevi was trying to be sensitive to her husband being Roman Catholic, (which is something that I do not think some of the posts took into consideration), and tried to be in the same spirit which the Greek Orthodox Church in America tries to show our RC brethren in Christ...since the majority of our weddings are between RC's and Orthodox. Also, we generally have good relations and have had them for years. Besides so many interfaith marriages, many of our children go to RC schools and colleges as well, and that includes priest's children and grandchildren.

My jurisdiction's relationship because of the above realities may be somewhat different than that of other jurisdictions, yet is the same in that no aspect of our Orthodox faith is comprimised or threatened because of them.

With in respect in Christ our Lord,
Alice