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Does anyone know at what point an adopted child can be baptized in the Catholic Church? After relinishments are permantent? Or do we have to wait until the adoption is finalized, which is at least 6 months from placement? Or does it depend on the Diocese or individual parish? I've not had the chance to ask our Priest yet, but we are not yet parents .... we are matched with a young girl due to have a c-section on June 12. We realize that the potential bmom can change her mind, but everything looks very positive for a successful placement at this point. But we are curious as to when we can start planning for a baptism. Thanks for letting me ask a "stupid" question.
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Not sure...we waited until finalization and made it a big weekend - finalization on Friday and baptism on Sunday so all our family could be there for the big events.
They never asked me for anything in regards to finalization...we also had to take some classes so we did that in between his arrival and finalization.
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In our church ... they required a birth certificate, which we wouldn't get until after finalization. Our attorney wrote a letter on our behalf. Then the diocese, did a search to make sure that the baby wasn't baptised before (even though we had them from birth). As soon as that seach came back (it took about a week) we could schedule our baptisms. But, like others have posted, I am sure that the "rules" vary from one church to another. I hope it all goes smoothly :0)
Poleczech
Does anyone know at what point an adopted child can be baptized in the Catholic Church? After relinishments are permantent? Or do we have to wait until the adoption is finalized, which is at least 6 months from placement? Or does it depend on the Diocese or individual parish? I've not had the chance to ask our Priest yet, but we are not yet parents .... we are matched with a young girl due to have a c-section on June 12. We realize that the potential bmom can change her mind, but everything looks very positive for a successful placement at this point. But we are curious as to when we can start planning for a baptism. Thanks for letting me ask a "stupid" question.
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I just called our church yesterday. OUr daughter is 3 weeks old. At first the secretary said she didn't know why it would be different, then asked the parish priest. He said it would be fine. They also said it would be their first with an adoptive family. Five minutes later they called me back and said we need to wait until finalization. Why? not sure, maybe because in 6 months at fin. then we will have our names as the parents on the birth certificate. Maybe I should call back and ask why, now that I read HBV's and joskids posts. Birthmom too was wondering why.
Hmmmm....I have heard that the "official" stance of the Church is that there should be a birth certificate presented (something it took us 13 months to get). DH and I didn't know that "stance," and had our DD adopted when she was 2.5 months old (the priest never asked for a birth certificate). I think these parishes that are "making" people wait who don't want to should reconsider their policies. In any event, whenever it happens, it is a wonderful celebration.
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I've never heard that about the bc. No one ever asked us for a birth certificate at any point in the process. Redbone, maybe have bmom call w/ you and ask. I don't know if you're going to have her at the ceremony, but if so, maybe they'd be willing to do it before finalization. I'd certainly talk directly to the priest. Sometimes I think the church staff puts their own spin on things....
We baptized before finalization... we gave them a copy of the guardianship letter (which stated they were TPR and in process of adoption), and a copy of the original bc's (before name change). And every one was cool with that. On their Baptism Cert's (we did all three sons at the same time) it listed them to have our same last name. -Stephanie3 brothers thru the miracle of adoption