Baptism: Who Can Be Baptised

The Sacrament of Baptism is open to all who desire to enter into the Christian life.  Through the ministry of the Church, adults are called to the Gospel by the Holy Spirit and infants are baptised in the faith of the Church and brought up in that faith.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the link between faith and baptism:

Baptism is the sacrament of faith. But faith needs the community of believers. The faith required for Baptism is not a perfect and mature faith, but a beginning that is called to develop. The catechumen or the godparent is asked: "What do you ask of God's Church?" The response is: "Faith!" (#1253)

For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents' help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly-baptized - child or adult - on the road of Christian life. The whole faith community bears some responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at Baptism. (1255)

For an infant/child to be baptised into the Catholic Church there are two requirements:

• At least one parent of the infant/child consents to the child being baptised into the Catholic Church.
• There needs to be a well-founded hope that the infant/child will be raised in the Catholic religion.

In ordinary circumstances, it is expected that at least one parent of the infant or child be a Catholic. If one of the parents cannot make the profession of faith (if, for example, they are not a Catholic), they may keep silent. All that is asked of is that they give permission for the child to be instructed in the faith of his or her baptism.

Parents who are not Catholic but want their infant or child baptised into the Catholic faith are encouraged to make an appointment with their local parish priest or pastoral associate to discuss the matter.

This link might be useful: https://www.catholic.au/s/article/How-do-I-arrange-to-have-my-child-baptised

An adult who has not been baptised may request baptism. They will normally enter into a period of preparation before receiving the three sacraments of initiation – Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist - together.