Baptism and Confirmation Requirements

Hi Folks, I'm a new member here and looking forward to contributing to the forum having recently become engaged to my beautiful fiancé Lenny. I have just returned from my most recent trip to the Philippines feeling sad and lonely that I have left the other half of me behind for another 3 months. I know I am lucky to be able to travel so frequently, and I thank the Lord and my employer for extending me the good fortune and flexibility to do so. I haven't been able to remain sad for long, there is a wedding to prepare for in October and lots of things for us both to discuss and organise.

Lenny has chosen a religious ceremony in the Caleruega Church in Tagaytay. One of the parish requirements is that both parties are to be baptised and confirmed. This is to be proven by presenting recently acquired certificates of both sacraments annotated for marriage. I am a baptised catholic and I am attempting to get the certificate from the parish where the ceremony took place, but I was never confirmed. Confirmation is not a canonical requirement to be married in a catholic ceremony, so we are going to ask the Caleruega parish for special consideration. However, I feel it is my duty to do all I can to meet the requirement.

I have contacted my local catholic church in Beckenham, UK, but they only confirm once a year in the summer and the preparation classes have already begun, so this is not an option for me. Does anyone know how I can be confirmed within the next 6 months? I don't wish to trivialise the sacrament by taking any shortcuts, but I also don't want to disappoint Lenny should the Caleruega parish hold firm on the need to prove confirmation before allowing us to enter into the sacrament of marriage in their church.

Can anyone help?

I'd be fairly confident that asking around adjacent Catholic churches will turn up a confirmation class on the right dates, but if absolutely neccesary and unavoidable you could avail yourself of a "short cut" by getting confirmed at an Anglican church if the dates are better - there is a Concordat in force in the Philippines whereby the Catholic and Anglican Churches (and, amazingly, the Iglesia ni Cristo!) recognise each others' sacraments. Don't ask me how I know that...(my ex wife was INC)

Thank you Methersgate, that's extremely useful info! I have enquired further with the local church and it was suggested I take it up directly with the parish priest. I was informed that I would have to seek permission to marry outside of the parish! A wonderful welcome back to the warm and open arms of the Catholic church Anyhow, let's hope the priest has some sympathy for my situation.

Alas it is not far fetched. However, I have since had more feedback from the parish priest. Permission to marry outside of the parish is a very straightforward matter. So nothing to worry about. Perhaps it was the way it was presented to me in such a warm and welcoming way by the battleaxe of a parish secretary Furthermore, apparently the Deacon is preparing another person for marriage (via confirmation) in a similar way and it seems possible that I may be able to join them. So having gone from a fairly negative start, it is now looking quite promising for us.

Excellent! Some One is on your side, it seems!

A nice place to marry, too.

Indeed Methersgate. I have been very surprised by the responsiveness of the local parish! The Deacon has now confirmed that he is prepared to offer me one-to-one preparation for confirmation and marriage. An excellent result for me!

Hello Mark, welcome to the forum

I do hope everything works out to plan for your October wedding.

I've been married 3 times to the same fiesty Philippine lady! (and I still survive).

Our last one was a very nice Catholic Church wedding held in San Francisco - Camotes island

I'm sure you'll be able to meet all the requirements.
In addition to those imposed by the Church I'd like to draw your attention to those imposed by The Family Code of the Philippines.
Here's a link I recommend you review on how to comply.

It's from the British Embassy and simply called - Marriage In The Philippines

Mark, a warm welcome to the forum.

As/when Lenny gets here, happy to get my wife to introduce her to other Filipinas in/around the Beckenham area.
There must be at least a dozen living locally, with numerous others they know in Bromley, Oprington & Croydon.
So lets hope loneliness & boredom won't be an issue.

Hi Bluebirdjones Thank you so much, that has obviously been a concern of mine and I am trying to do everything I can to prevent it. Your help and the help of your wife will be very much appreciated. I was talking to an Austrian friend of mine on the phone last night, saying that in Vienna there are 2 churches that cater specifically for Filipino worship and have a great Filipino community feeling. He was saying if there are 2 in Vienna there must be some in London too... Perhaps not a question for this particular thread, but worth asking.

There is a dry cleaner just opposite where I live (Westgate Road) on Bromley Road called Chancery Dry Cleaners. Owned by Gerry and Jovelyn (I think). Do you know this couple. They are super nice and turned around my shirts for my last trip in double quick time

Yes, we know Gerry & Johanna... and little Joshua.
Had the occasional pint in the "Jolly" with Gerry, but he's usually on the early shift, whereas I tend to go late !

I think a few attend church(es), but it's more a social get-together thing.
At least every couple of weeks, 4-6 meet up at each others' houses for food, magic sing & chika-chika.
My wife's in the Glades at the moment with 2 friends..... so a far more hectic social life than me !

Johanna, ahh, yes We're hoping for her to be able to join me early in the New Year.