Where Does A Baptism Take Place
(taken from the Pastoral Manual, 1997 edition, Diocese of Rockville Centre)
Outside a case of necessity, the proper place for baptism is a church or oratory (canon 857, 1).
The usual place is the parish church of the child or adult.
Cases of necessity are the exception; permission sought from the ordinary.
Therefore, in the Diocese of Rockville Centre baptisms do not take place in convent chapels, high school or college chapels, nor in any other place only at the dedicated font of a parish church.
Parish of the adult or of one of the parents: As a rule adults are to be baptized in their own parish church and infants in the parish church proper to their parents, unless a just cause suggests otherwise (canon 857, 2).
Usually the baptism takes place in the parish of the adult or the parents of the infant.
However, a just cause may suggest otherwise.
A pastor’s letter of permission is not required by church law. For example, a couple returns to the parish in which they were married to baptize their child, or to the parish where they grew up, or to where the grandparents are living. These places are certainly permissible. In such a case the parents may be urged to contact the home parish and inform the pastor that they have celebrated the baptism of their child.
At the font:
Every parish church is to have a baptismal font, with due regard for the cumulative right already acquired by other churches (canon 858, 1). The local ordinary, after hearing the pastor of the place, may permit or order for the convenience of the faithful that there be a baptismal font in another church or oratory within the boundaries of the parish (canon 858, 2).
Outside the parish church: Outside the case of necessity, baptism is not to be conferred in private homes, unless the local ordinary has permitted this for a grave cause (canon 859, 1).
Baptisms are not to be done in the home.
A grave cause needed for the permission to be granted.
For example, one of the grandparents is ill and cannot attend the baptism in the church. However, a grave cause it not present should one of the parents be a non-Christian who prefers not to come to a Catholic Church.
This permission can be sought from the Chancellor’s Office.
Baptismal and Confirmation Names
(taken from the Pastoral Manual, 1997 edition, Diocese of Rockville Centre)
Although it is a long-standing custom, a saint’s name is not a requirement.
A baptismal name that is offensive to Christians is not permitted; a saint’s name not necessary. Offensive names include Lucifer, Beelzebul, Hitler, etc.
Names from the Old Testament are perfectly acceptable.
