Q:  In my prison ministry, one resident grew up in a Catholic family but was never baptized. He is asking for baptism and confirmation. The local pastor would like me to go ahead and baptize and confirm him (with the exceptional form), after a period of instruction. Should I be contacting the vicar general on […]

In our RCIA group we have a candidate who was baptized and confirmed as an Episcopalian. When we receive her into the full communion of the Catholic Church, is she supposed to be confirmed again? == Yes, the priest confirms the Episcopalian. The meaning of confirmation in the episcopal church is slightly different from confirmation […]

Q:  As regards a baptized Catholic who never received any further catechesis and therefore no other Sacraments: Chapter 4 simply says they “make a profession of faith in which they were baptized, receive the sacrament of confirmation, and take part in the eucharist.”  I know (I think) this chapter is only included in the English-speaking […]

Q:  Is it permissible for a couple, both Baptized Catholics, but married outside the Church to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation? Thank you for your response. == A:  No, first they must resolve the irregular marriage. Then they are eligible for confirmation.

Q:  We have a guest priest coming to our parish Confirmation liturgy who wants to both concelebrate Mass and sponsor one of the Candidates.  Is that okay?  Should we notify the bishop? == A:  There’s nothing to keep him from doing this. As a courtesy, yes, notify the bishop.

Q:  Got a question in the mail that you can answer better. A child baptized Methodist whose family returned to Catholic Church recently. My guess is that his baptism should be recorded like a Catholic one in the parish register but note the place and Methodist church of baptism. I don’t think a formal profession […]

Q:  I received a call this morning from a gentleman who said he and his wife had been told their in utero baby had been diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome and that it was not expected to live to term. If the child is born alive, ought it be baptized (I would say “yes” if it […]

Q:  My congregation has the custom of having everyone extend hands in blessing over someone who is being blessed. But they also do it during Confirmation, when the presider is calling down the Spirit on the Confirmands.  Any comments? A:  I can’t point to any rubrics that allow for everyone to extend hands. But then […]

Q:  We have a person in RCIA who was baptized a Catholic but confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Do we use the Rite of Reception of Validly Baptized Christians into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church for him? A:  No, his baptism is a Catholic baptism. If he wishes to be confirmed in the […]

Q:  My daughter recently got married. I wanted the priest to process in just like a Sunday mass. The wedding coordinator was adamant that it was not correct. Can you explain what the a wedding entrance should look like and liturgically why. We also had the brides godparents and confirmation sponsor bring up the gifts […]