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What About Baptism of Same-Sex Couples’ Children?

Question:

Is there any policy or normative from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops concerning recording a baptism of homosexual couples’ children?

Answer:

The USCCB’s 2006 document Ministry to Persons with a Homosexual Inclination: Guidelines for Pastoral Care states:

Baptism of children in the care of same-sex couples presents a serious pastoral concern. Nevertheless, the Church does not refuse the sacrament of baptism to these children, but there must be a well-founded hope that the children will be brought up in the Catholic religion. In those cases where baptism is permitted, pastoral ministers should exercise prudential judgment when preparing baptismal ceremonies. Also, in preparing the baptismal record, a distinction should be made between natural parents and adoptive parents (p. 21).

The footnote for the part regarding the distinction between natural parents and adoptive parents references the USCCB’s Complementary Norms for the Recording of Baptisms for Adoptive Parents. In these complementary norms, the USCCB requires parishes to note that the adoptive parents are the adoptive parents and not the natural parents. However, no mention of the adoption is to be included on any issued baptismal certificates.

While not officially a rule set forth by the USCCB, most dioceses change the titles of mother and father to simply “parent” when a same-sex couple has a child baptized.

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