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Teresa Lincoln wrote:

Hi, guys —

I converted to the Catholic faith in 2000. I went to our church's RCIA program and did all that was required to join the Church. My ceremony was with other converts but we were not really coached or prepared appropriately. Since I was previously baptized in a Protestant denomination, I did not get baptized in the Catholic Church at our ceremony because they told me I only needed to be baptized once — for the forgiveness of sins and that if I had been previously baptized, I didn't need to be baptized again.

Now some friends of mine say I must stop receiving the sacraments and tell the priest because I had to be baptized Catholic.

  • Is this true and am I damned forever?

I did this unknowingly. Nothing was ever said to me at this parish ever!

  • How can I be baptized now if I am already baptized?

Thank you and I will wait for your response.

Teresa
  { Because I was not baptized in the Catholic Church do I have to stop receiving the sacraments? }

Mike replied:

Dear Teresa,

Your friends are wrong! Period! and you should notify the priest who brought you into the parish what these friends are saying so they can be corrected.

The priest who brought you into the Church is responsible for ensuring that the Protestant denomination you came from had a valid Trinitarian Baptism. That is one of his key responsibilities, so do not worry.

There is no reason at all why you should stop receiving the sacraments.

If possible, go to Mass daily and Confession on a regular basis. (weekly, biweekly, or monthly).

The Bishops of the United States have recommended Catholic families go to Confession on a monthly basis. Talk to your Confessor about what would be best for you.

I hope this helps,

Mike
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