Baptism

1. Which are the Oriental Churches/Orthodox Churches, not in full communion with the Holy See, in which baptism is valid?

In general, baptism in all the Eastern Churches is presumed valid.

 

2. What is to be done if a baptised non-catholic wants to be received into the Catholic Faith?”

If a baptised non-catholic wants to embrace the Catholic faith he/she must first be properly instructed in the faith. After instructing the person concerned, the priest must ascertain whether his/her baptism was validly administered. If the baptism is invalid he/she should be baptised. If the baptism is doubtful the person must be baptised conditionally and an entry must be made in the Baptism Register with a remark that the person was baptised conditionally. For the list of Churches in which baptism is presumed valid and for the rite of reception, refer to the AOB Website Resources. (A similar procedure will have to be followed if a non-catholic Oriental wants to join the Catholic Church.)

 

3. If an Oriental non-catholic were to be received into the Latin Church, would he/she belong to the Latin rite?

If an Oriental non-catholic were to be received into the Catholic Church, he/she would still belong to the Oriental rite.

 

4. If an Oriental Catholic wants to become a Latin Catholic what is the procedure to be followed?

If a child has not completed the fourteenth year of age, Canon 111 §1 provides for three situations:

a. If both parents belong to the Latin Church, the child too automatically belongs to the Latin Church at baptism. This principle would apply even if a different liturgical rite, such as Syro-Malabar or Syro-Malankara, was used.

b. If only one parent belongs to the Latin Church the child would also belong to the Latin Church provided both the parents agree.

c. If only one parent belongs to the Latin rite and the parents do not agree, then the child becomes a member of the ritual Church to which the father belongs.”

If a child has completed fourteen years of age, Canon 111 §2 permits him/her to freely choose to be baptised either in the Latin Church or in another autonomous ritual Church. Besides this, after the reception of baptism, the following become members of another autonomous ritual Church (canon 112 §1):

a) Those who have obtained permission from the Apostolic See; this permission can be presumed if a member of the faithful of an autonomous ritual Church requests a transfer to another autonomous ritual Church which has an eparchy within the same territory, provided that the Diocesan Bishops of both dioceses consent to this in writing. This personal dual consent of the Diocesan Bishops concerned is required for the validity of such a transfer

b) A spouse who, on entering marriage or during its course, has declared that he/she is transferring to the autonomous ritual Church of the other spouse; such a declaration may be made either at the time the parties enter into marriage or at any stage during it. This declaration is made either before the Local Ordinary, the Parish Priest or a priest or deacon delegated by either of them in the presence of two witnesses. On the dissolution of the marriage, whether by death or by papal dispensation, that person may freely return to the Latin Church. (For the Eastern Catholic Churches, however, a wife, and not the husband, is at liberty to transfer to the Church of the husband at the celebration of or during the marriage; when the marriage has ended, she can freely return to the autonomous ritual Church to which she belonged – cf. CCEO 33.)”

c) The children of those mentioned in numbers 1 and 2 who have not completed their 14th year and likewise in a mixed marriage the children of a Catholic party who has lawfully transferred to another ritual Church; on completion of their 14th year, however, they may return to the Latin Church.

 

5. What is to be done if a non-Christian wants to embrace the Catholic Faith?

In the first place the priest concerned must ascertain whether the person concerned has reached the age of majority. Then make sure that he/she is properly instructed in the faith. The applicant must sign an Affidavit that he/she is embracing the Catholic faith of his/her own free will. Permission, then, must be obtained from the Local Ordinary or his delegate to baptise the person concerned and follow the Rite prescribed for Adult Baptism.

 

6. What is to be done if a person claims to be a Catholic but cannot obtain the Baptism Certificate?

If the person was baptised as an adult and his/her credibility cannot be doubted, his/her sworn statement that he/she was baptised would suffice. (Canon 876) If the person concerned was baptised as an infant, the sworn testimony of the father or the mother or of an eye-witness would suffice, provided that their credibility cannot be doubted. If the person claims to be a Catholic but the fact of baptism cannot be established with certainty, the person should be baptised conditionally and the baptism should be registered in the Baptism Register of the parish with a remark that the person concerned was baptised conditionally because the proof of baptism was not available.

 

7. Can an illegitimate child be baptised? If so, what is to be done when recording the baptism of such a child?

It is to be noted, in the first place, that there is no law forbidding the baptism of illegitimate children. If there is moral certainty that the child will be brought up as a Catholic, the child can be baptised if one of the parents requests this. The mother’s name is normally to be entered besides the other details. The father’s name should not be entered unless he consents to have his name entered. If, however, the father’s name has been entered in the Municipal Birth Certificate or in the Hospital Records, it can be entered in the Baptism Register even without the father’s consent.

 

8. What is to be done when making a baptismal entry of an adopted child?

The CCBI has decreed that in the case of baptism of an adopted child, the names of the adopting parents are to be recorded in the Baptism Register. The names of the natural parents may be recorded if the adopting parents so desire and the natural parents have no objection. (N.B: while registering the names of the adopting parents it must be recorded that they are adopting parents.)

 

9. Can a person who is not present at the time of baptism be a sponsor by proxy?

Yes, it is possible for a person who is not present at the time of baptism to be a sponsor provided that the person concerned has consented and given in writing that he/she is willing to be a sponsor.

 

10. Can a non-catholic baptised person be a sponsor for baptism?

No. The role of the sponsor is, together with the parents, to present the child for baptism and to help in the faithful fulfilment of the duties inherent in baptism, thus helping the child to live a Christian life. Canon 874 clearly states that only a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist and who lives the life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken can be a sponsor for baptism. (Cf. CCEO 685 §3 for Orientals.)”

 

A baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a Catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism. However, a member of an Eastern Orthodox Church can be allowed to act as a sponsor together with a Catholic sponsor at the baptism of a Catholic infant or adult so long as there is provision for the Catholic education of the person being baptized, and it is clear that the sponsor is a suitable one.

Eucharist

1. Can Communion and Confirmation be given to the mentally challenged?

The Blessed Eucharist may be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the Body of Christ from ordinary food and receive it with reverence. Similar considerations could be invoked in the case of the mentally challenged even outside the danger of death. (Refer “The Canon Law Letter and Spirit”, Canon 913 §2.)

With regard to the Sacrament of Confirmation, the requirement for the valid reception of this Sacrament is that the candidate be validly baptised. It is not necessary for the candidate to have the use of reason for validity. Hence, even the profoundly mentally challenged can, and should, receive the Sacrament. (Refer “The Canon Law Letter and Spirit”, Canon 889 §1.)”;

 

2. What is a Box-Intention Mass and a Pluri-Intention Mass?

Box-Intention or Collective Intention Mass is one where a box is kept and any individual can put in his/her contribution, however big or small (and not necessarily corresponding to the diocesan stipend) for the Mass to be offered. It is made known to the faithful that only a single Mass will be offered for all the intentions and for the amount of money that is put in the Box. In this case, the offering of each donor could be any amount – it could be less than the diocesan stipend or more than the diocesan stipend.

A Pluri-Intention Mass is one that is offered for the specific intentions of several individuals or organizations, with each one giving a definite amount of money (equal to the diocesan stipend), with the full knowledge and consent of those offering the stipends that only one Mass will be offered for the intentions of all who have given a definite amount of money as stipends. Hence, if the diocesan stipend is Rs. 50.00/100.00 per Mass that is offered, and if there are six donors, each donor will offer Rs. 50.00/100.00 for their respective intention(s).

 

3. Can a priest celebrate one Mass for the intentions of several donors? How often can a Box-Intention Mass and/or a Pluri-Intention Mass be celebrated? What about the stipend?

Canon 948 states “separate Masses are to be applied for the intentions of those for whom a single offering, although small, has been given and accepted.

This means that each of the celebrants and concelebrants may accept only a single offering for a single Mass even if a smaller amount than customary is accepted. Although the donor’s intention can include more than one person, only one offering can be taken.

 

On February 22, 1991, the Congregation for the Clergy issued a decree Mos iugiter dealing with”Box-Intention & Pluri-Intention Masses”. In this Decree, a special faculty is given to the Ordinary to permit his priests to celebrate one Mass for the intentions of several donors subject to certain conditions. (However, the obligation to allow the faithful to ask for and to obtain the celebration of Mass according to their particular intentions should be emphasized and insisted upon. This obligation remains intact and binding as stated in the Code of Canon Law, particularly Canons 945 – 958.) Therefore, one must bear in mind that whatever is mentioned about “Box-Intention & Pluri-Intention Masses” is praeter legem, that is, beyond the Code.

 

4. Conditions for “Multi-Intention” or “Collective” Masses:”

  • Only the Ordinary of the place can authorise the celebration of Collective or Pluri Intention Masses, when there is a genuine and lasting difficulty in satisfying individual requests

  • This faculty is to be used only for two Masses a week in any combination (i.e. two Pluri-Intention Masses; or two Box-intention Masses; or one Pluri-Intention and one Box-intention Masses)

  • The donors should know if it is a Box-intention or Pluri-Intention Mass that they are offering. In other words, the donors must knowingly and voluntarily agree to have their intentions combined in a single celebration

  • The date, time and place of this celebration is to be publicly announced

  • The priest receives only one stipend as per the diocesan norms

  • The remainder amount goes for the intention prescribed by the Ordinary of the place in accordance with Canon 951 §1.

Marriage

1. What is to be done when one Catholic party comes to a diocese in India from abroad without bringing any papers and wants to marry a Catholic in India?

Unless the party from abroad brings a letter of free state, and an authorisation from his/her parish priest or pastor giving permission for the parish priest of the diocese in India to prepare the papers and conduct the marriage, such a request should not be entertained.

 

2. If two non-baptised persons who are validly married want to embrace the faith, is it necessary to renew their consent after their conversion?

No. If their marriage was valid and both parties embraced the Catholic faith, their marriage automatically becomes a sacramental marriage. (It is advisable in such cases to put a note in the remarks’ column of the Baptism Register that the parties were validly married before their conversion.)

 

3. Can a non-catholic be a witness for a marriage?

Yes. A non-catholic can be a witness to a Catholic marriage.

Funeral

1. What needs to be done in order to take care of arrangements at the time of death:

A. Medical Death Certificate

  • If the person has died in hospital, the medical death certificate will be issued by the hospital.

  • If the person has died at home, the medical death certificate must be issued by a certified medical practitioner who has been treating the person immediately prior to demise.

It is advisable to take photocopies of this death certificate as the original will have to be handed over to the undertaker who will, in turn, submit it to the municipality once the burial formalities are completed.

Please note that the official document is the Municipal Death Certificate which must be collected from the pertinent Ward Office (usually available 15 days to a month after burial). The doctor’s certificate is only required for intimation of death to the Municipal authorities and for burial. It may also be used for announcements in the Press. For all other official purposes, only the Municipal Death Certificate is valid.

 

B. Contacting the Undertaker

Once the death has been certified, it is advisable to contact the undertaker of your choice. It is best to be guided by someone who has experience of a particular undertaker, or you could check the Net for undertakers in your general locality (most undertakers have websites). You will have to provide the Undertaker with:

  • The original Medical Death Certificate.

  • A complete set of clothes that you wish the person to be buried in plus a rosary.

  • The name of the cemetery/burial site/crematorium.

  • If you own a grave, then you will have to provide the grave number/receipt no. issued by the cemetery.

  • If you do not own a grave, the undertaker can purchase a temporary plot for you.

  • The undertaker will have to be informed as to whether the body will first be brought to the house before removal to the church, or is to be taken directly to the church.

  • Check with the undertaker regarding necessary compliances. Confirm all costs involved as these can increase considerably with every service offered including type of coffin, transport from church to graveyard and back, morgue, etc.

C. Formalities with your Parish Church

  1. Request for the issue of a Grave Order. This will be needed by the Undertaker, as this certifies the person’s entitlement, as a Catholic, to be buried in consecrated ground.

  2. Decide the day and time of the Funeral Mass and make the necessary booking.

  3. If the celebrant is not a priest from the Parish, indicate this as permission may need to be sought from the Parish Priest.

  4. If it is desired that announcement of the death and funeral be made in the Parish, provide the necessary details and request that the announcement be made at Masses immediately prior to the funeral.

  5. If floral arrangements are desired, consult your Sacristan or person in charge. They will guide you as to the nature of the arrangement and the cost involved.

  6. Most parishes have choirs / groups who will come forward to provide the music for funerals. Consult your Parish Priest or Community Leader for the details. Remember that the choice of hymns and readings has to be in consonance with the liturgical norms laid down by the Church.

  7. One priest will be assigned to accompany the body to the graveyard to conduct the final rites.

  8. All burial formalities have to be completed before sunset.”

D. Notification in the Press

If you wish to notify the death in the Press/Newspaper of your choice, you will need to provide one copy of the Medical Death Certificate and a clear photograph (if you wish to include this in the insertion). Make sure that you have the details available, such as full name of the deceased, date of birth (optional) and date of death, day, time and location of Funeral Mass and location of burial. Additional information regarding relationships (mother/father/son/daughter/brother/ sister/husband/wife…etc), residence, reason for death (long illness, accident…etc.) may also be provided, depending on the family’s wishes.

 

For insertion, most Newspapers have a contact person who will guide you through the whole process which can even be carried out online.

 

It is understandable that you will be overwhelmed by all that is needed to be done and in the time of grief, it is hard to think clearly and cover all that is required. Do accept the help of neighbours, near and dear ones, and your Community Leaders who can also take care of other minor details not mentioned here. You will need to indicate preferences and provide information, but they can help with notifying the persons concerned and carrying out your wishes. Also, do remember that funerals incur fairly heavy costs and you will need to make provision for this. Check at every step regarding the costs involved so that you are not left with too heavy a burden.

 

2. Can children, whose parents had intended to have them baptised but who died before baptism be allowed Church funeral rites?

Yes. According to the provisions of Canon 1183 §2 children whose parents had intended to have them baptised but who died before baptism, may be allowed Church funeral rites by the Local Ordinary.

 

3. Is it permissible to perform funeral rites if the person concerned has not been baptised but is only a catechumen?

According to the provisions of Canon 1183 §1, as far as funeral rites are concerned, Catechumens are to be reckoned among Christ’s faithful.

 

4. Is it permissible to perform the funeral rites for a baptised person who does not belong to the Catholic Church if his/her own minister is not available?

According to the provisions of Canon 1183 §3, provided that their own minister is not available, baptised persons belonging to a non-catholic Church or ecclesial community may, in accordance with the prudent judgement of the Local Ordinary, be allowed Catholic funeral rites, unless it is established that they did not wish this.

 

5. If a person is a manifest sinner can the person be given a Church funeral?

According to the provisions of Canon 1184 §1, Church funeral rites are to be denied to manifest sinners to whom a Church funeral could not be granted without public scandal to the faithful unless they gave some signs of repentance before death. In case of doubt the matter should be referred to the Local Ordinary.”

Since the denial of a Church funeral to one of its members is always a sensitive issue, one must bear in mind that the Church funeral is primarily to pray for the spiritual support of the person who has died, i.e. to plead for God’s mercy so that the person may be admitted to the eternal life merited by the death and resurrection of Christ; and also to honour the dead body which had been a temple of the Holy Spirit by reason of baptism; and to bring to the living the comfort of Christian hope which carries the certainty of reunion in eternal life.

 

6. Is it permissible for a person to be cremated? If so, is it necessary to obtain permission from the Local Ordinary?

According to the provision of Canon 1176 §3 the Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burial be retained; but it does not forbid cremation, unless this is chosen for reasons which are contrary to Christian teaching.”

It is not necessary to obtain the permission of the Local Ordinary for cremation.