S/O - Valid marriages

Kate61487

I was just reading the valid marriages thread and it got me thinking.  I'm not really familiar with the rules or aspects of defecting; I don't believe I was ever taught about it, and honestly I've never even thought about it, or the implications.  but this quote, from agape, got me wondering:

"Once a Catholic, always a Catholic. It is impossible to be "undone". Whether a person practices or even denies their Catholic faith, they will always be Catholic.  A Catholic is bound to the promises made at Baptism "

If once you're baptised you're 100% Catholic regardless of any other behaviors or choices, then why, when joining the church as an adult do you have to complete all three sacraments of initiation?  I was kind of under the impression that you weren't a full-blown adult Catholic until you were confirmed; and that basically you could walk away before confirmation scott free if you decided you didn't want to be a Catholic?

Also, if being baptised is all it takes to be a recognised Catholic then did we have to prove, in addition to baptism and confirmation, that we were active members of a parish before we could be married in the church?

Sorry if this is coming across as really uneducated.  I was born and raised Catholic, but have found that I'm really not THAT informed about the subtleties of cannon law, etc.

Riss91

I'm not sure of the specific doctrine behind it, but I think logically, there is a natural progression of receiving sacraments. For instance, baptism should occur before first holy communion. So it would make sense that the Church would like for certain sacraments to be received before others. Since the sacrament of marriage requires a couple to commit to raising their children Catholic, I can understand the Church wanting to ensure that the couple was serious in their faith. They do this by requiring the proper sacraments and, in some cases, confirming your active participation. You can be married without being confirmed (though that is usually only allowed if it is unreasonably difficult to be confirmed beforehand).

agapecarrie

People may be baptized in a different faith besides Catholic, so they are not Catholic, until their reception into the church, and completing the sacraments of initiation.

The canonical obligations begin when they either are Baptized Catholic, or are received into the church.

When someone is Baptized Catholic then "walks away" from Confirmation, they are not "scott free". Confirmation is an extension of Baptism, it completes the sacrament of Baptism. Think about a glass of milk. When we are baptized, the chocolate syrup is poured in (the Holy Spirit), but it sits at the bottom of the glass. Confirmation stirs it up.

Baptism isn't "all it takes" to be Catholic. This is simply the basis for being obligated to Canonical form for Marriage. Being active members of a parish can be a prerequisite for several reasons, one being that if you want a vocational sacrament, one should be actively involved in their faith. It is protecting the integrity of the sacrament.