Cathedral baptisms

[Sharron]

Don't know if I'm posting in the right forum, but I'm sure someone will tell me if I'm not :) And besides, I think most people go from 'new posts' and take little notice of the location.

Anyway, I have noticed on the IGI, people being baptised in what appear to be cathedrals. Is this right? Am I being dim? Does anybody have the right to be baptised in a cathedral?

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

[Rod Neep]

Absolutely.

A cathedral is "just" another parish church, and anyone who lives in that parish can be baptised and married there.

Rod

[Sharron]

Thanks, Rod!

Next time I'm in Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral, which is so massive, it scares the c***p out of me, I'll remember that it's just a church :D

[Peter Goodey]

"Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral"

Cathedrals may also be parish churches.

From Liverpool Cathedral's website:-

"As the Cathedral is not a parish church, marriages in Liverpool Cathedral are usually by means of an Archbishop's Licence.
The grounds for granting such licences are carefully monitored by the Archbishop's Registrar and the licences granted at the sole discretion of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Licences are granted when good reason can be shown for the service taking place here rather than in the parish church of one of the couple concerned. Good reasons include worshipping regularly at the Cathedral or being an employee of the Cathedral. "

[Sharron]

Thanks Peter

[Peter Goodey]

Sorry, it was actually baptisms you asked about. Similar reluctance seems to apply; see http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/venue/special-occasions.asp

[KatieB]

Some Cathedral's were/are parish churchs. St Patrick's CI in Armagh was the Parish Church till the mid 1800's when what had been the garrison chapel became the parish church, but the catherdral is still used for baptisms/weddings if you have been a chorister (sp?) been baptised there or use the catherdral as your church.
When the parish church was closed for repairs the catherdral was used for all baptisms and weddings. My sisters were baptised there and my brother was in the choir, so they could all marry and have their children baptised there if they wanted.

[Peter Goodey]

Sharron

You mentioned the IGI. In this context , beware, as always, of anything connected with the IGI. A church whose name has been changed is frequently listed only under the new name (this is not unique to the IGI). Similar things may happen with a change of status. For example the IGI shows baptisms from 1666 for "Manchester Cathedral" although the church did not become a cathedral until 1847.