Catholic Schools Toronto Baptism Questions

[mkjr]

I told a person that RFD would get an answer to this question for them…so do not fail me.

Their child has special needs – moderate not severe. As a result of the way the Toronto school systems work, they would like to have their child go through the catholic system since it appears that there is better special needs support – at least initially in the early years – child is just 5 years now. This is particularly the case for the "designated" schools in their area.

They are fully prepared to have their child baptized. They do not care about the fact that this could be construed as a “splash and dash”…their sole interests are support for their child and do not have the money for private schools or dedicated special needs schools. They also have no issue with their child being catholic.

Mother is catholic but father is Anglican…some limited practice by both. Some relatives are catholic also…Any ideas how to ensure this baptism is a smooth process.

They also do not want to lie so any ideas of priests etc. that would be willing to appreciate the issue? They will be above board as to why they are doing this. Surely this will not be frowned upon will it?

[dor79]

when we were getting prepared to get married in the catholic church, I asked my priest what would happen if we couldnt (had a divorce issue that needed resolving) and we had a child and wanted them baptised. My priest told me if anyone comes up to him and asks to baptise this child in the catholic faith, he cannot refuse.

I think the importance is finding a church where they would feel comfortable being a part of to start the process... Ask family and friends about their experiences with certain churches (there are some churches who have more authoritative priests who dont always mesh well with the community).

I am not sure if this is true anymore, but it was my understanding that as long as one of the parents is Catholic the children can go through the catholic school system.

[ginabobolee]

It depends on the priest. I am not Catholic and my husband is. When we got married, his priest was very easy going on me.
So maybe ask Catholic family/friends who live in the same area about the priest and then go talk to the priest.

[chimaican]

As long as one parent is a Roman Catholic, the child can be baptized into the Catholic Church. Both parents need not be Roman Catholic.

As far as I know, the child must be Baptized or enrolled to be Baptized by the Catholic Church in order to enroll them into a Catholic Elementary school. Further, they MUST contact city hall and have their education portion of their property taxes designated towards the Separate school system and not the Public Board as their child will be attending Catholic school and not Public school, and hence their tax dollars have to be shifted.

[dafunkgirl20]

I am not sure how different it is in Toronto, but in Calgary a lot of the Catholic School's have signs out that read:
"Catholics and Non Catholics inquire with'in"
Doesn't hurt to call the school board/school and find out what requirements there are.

I had a few friends who attended Catholic School with me, and they weren't baptized. A few of them had a Catholic mother/father!

[steve-0101]

As long as one parent is a Roman Catholic, the child can be baptized into the Catholic Church. Both parents need not be Roman Catholic.

As far as I know, the child must be Baptized or enrolled to be Baptized by the Catholic Church in order to enroll them into a Catholic Elementary school. Further, they MUST contact city hall and have their education portion of their property taxes designated towards the Separate school system and not the Public Board as their child will be attending Catholic school and not Public school, and hence their tax dollars have to be shifted.

This may be true in Toronto, but not in Markham (York). Only one parent needs to be baptized for admission to catholic school in York region.

When I lived in Brampton (Peel), the child did indeed have to be baptized.

[chimaican]

As long as one parent is a Roman Catholic, the child can be baptized into the Catholic Church. Both parents need not be Roman Catholic.

As far as I know, the child must be Baptized or enrolled to be Baptized by the Catholic Church in order to enroll them into a Catholic Elementary school. Further, they MUST contact city hall and have their education portion of their property taxes designated towards the Separate school system and not the Public Board as their child will be attending Catholic school and not Public school, and hence their tax dollars have to be shifted.

This may be true in Toronto, but not in Markham (York). Only one parent needs to be baptized for admission to catholic school in York region.

I stand corrected.... Either parent or child must be baptized

York Region Catholic School Board
http://www.ycdsb.ca/departments/Admi...htm#elementary

Toronto Catholic District School Board
http://www.tcdsb.org/admissions/default.htm

[mkjr]

OK...so it turns out, neither parent is baptized in the Catholic church. does that present challenges to have the child baptized. mother has an aunt who is willing to be god mother and is a regular.

[chimaican]

OK...so it turns out, neither parent is baptized in the Catholic church. does that present challenges to have the child baptized. mother has an aunt who is willing to be god mother and is a regular.

Anyone can be baptized into the Catholic Church, even children of non-Catholic parents, however, the reasons given for wanting to join the Catholic Church just to get into the school system is questionable now since neither parent is Catholic. At this point, I would have them talk to the local pastor and see, and tell them not to lie. Joining a Faith & Religion is something that should not be taken lightly or so trivially. If the aunt is Catholic, then it's not as bad as she can be a guide.

Though I understand the reasoning for wanting to get into the school system, as a person of faith and being a member of the Catholic Church I have mixed feelings. The parents need to sit and really think about this, what is the reason for doing this, and is baptizing their child into a faith they don't believe themselves is worth it. Will they criticize the religion or will they allow the child to choose whether they want to believe later on in life or not.

This is serious, and they really should sit down with their Catholic family members and the pastor and discuss this. Perhaps they themselves want to be baptized along with their child, but this of course should be a free decision to join and not one of administrative necessity.

Regardless of which religion it is in our world (not just Christian), it should be respected for what it is.

[chimaican]

As a side thought, did they check to see if they can still send their child to the Catholic school system without having them baptized?

Maybe sponsored by the aunt, and just having the parent's taxes paid towards that Board? Who knows, there might be a way since the Catholic system is still publicly funded, and can you really deny someone access to education?

[mkjr]

Anyone can be baptized into the Catholic Church, even children of non-Catholic parents, however, the reasons given for wanting to join the Catholic Church just to get into the school system is questionable now since neither parent is Catholic. At this point, I would have them talk to the local pastor and see, and tell them not to lie. Joining a Faith & Religion is something that should not be taken lightly or so trivially. If the aunt is Catholic, then it's not as bad as she can be a guide.

Though I understand the reasoning for wanting to get into the school system, as a person of faith and being a member of the Catholic Church I have mixed feelings. The parents need to sit and really think about this, what is the reason for doing this, and is baptizing their child into a faith they don't believe themselves is worth it. Will they criticize the religion or will they allow the child to choose whether they want to believe later on in life or not.

This is serious, and they really should sit down with their Catholic family members and the pastor and discuss this. Perhaps they themselves want to be baptized along with their child, but this of course should be a free decision to join and not one of administrative necessity.

Regardless of which religion it is in our world (not just Christian), it should be respected for what it is.

thanks.

yup...the parents only care about getting a better education for their special needs child. they are annoyed a little that there is not just one public school system in Ontario (even though Dalton only says there is one...) but they are willing to live with it...in fact, they are even willing to have their child live with the faith if that is what happens...and that is good to them also...they respect the views of others, just do not choose to embrace it themselves...

they could attend the catholic school if there is space but it is ad hoc.

[mkjr]

...just having the parent's taxes paid towards that Board? Who knows, there might be a way since the Catholic system is still publicly funded, and can you really deny someone access to education?

on this point, they are of modest means and rent therefore I do not believe they pay any property taxes.

i also think that it is a constitutional point about the right to catholic education and you would likely loose any judicial challenge since a school is made available...it just might not have better special needs supports...in fact, it could have better depending on the school..

[eelfliw]

Who knows, there might be a way since the Catholic system is still publicly funded, and can you really deny someone access to education?

Interesting read here on why Catholic school is publicly funded --> http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/E...rio-10717.aspx