Q1. Are the Maronites Roman Catholics?

This question is frequently asked by both Maronites and Roman Catholics. The simple answer is yes. All Maronites are Roman Catholics. The one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church, as founded by Christ, spread to the ends of the earth. The Universal Catholic Church is a communion of Churches (LG, n23) and has been traditionally divided into East and West. The Western tradition is the Roman tradition (Roman/Latin Catholic) and the four original Eastern traditions are Antiochian, Alexandrian, Byzantine and Armenian. All of these traditions form the Roman Catholic Church, not just the Western tradition. The Maronite Catholic Church belongs to the Patriarchate of Antioch.

Q2. If the Pope is the Head of the Catholic Church, why do the Maronites have their own Patriarch?

The Parish Priest is the head of his parish. The Bishop is the head of his diocese. The Patriarch is the head of his Patriarchate. The Pope is the Supreme head of the Catholic Church. For us Maronites, our Patriarch, Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, is the Governor of the Maronite Church. His title is Maronite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.

Q3. Can there be more than one head?

If the Catholic Church is a communion of Churches, under the supreme governance of the Pope, each of the particular Churches has its own immediate leader. In the United States, the major Churches are Roman (Latin) Church, the Maronite Church, the Melkite Church, the Ukranian Church, the Armenian Church, the Chaldean Church and all these Churches, together with their leaders, form the one Catholic Church.

Q4. If I am baptised in the Roman Catholic Church, does that mean I am Roman Catholic and not Maronite?

Membership in a Church is determined, not by the place of baptism, but by Church law. If you were baptised under the age of 14 years (for most Maronites it is 2-3 months after birth) you are enrolled in the Church of your Maronite Father. That is, you are enrolled as a Maronite Catholic even though a Roman Catholic priest baptised you in a Roman Catholic Church. You are automatically Maronite because your father is Maronite. If your father is not a Catholic and your mother is a Maronite Catholic. You are automatically enrolled as a Maronite since your mother is the only Catholic parent.

If you are baptised at the age of 14 years and above, you are free to choose any of the Catholic Churches (Roman, Maronite, Melkite etc)

Q5. Are Maronites confirmed at the time of baptism?

Yes. In all the Eastern Catholic Churches, confirmation (or chrismation) is received at the time of baptism. If you were baptised by a Roman Priest, you most likely were not confirmed and you should approach your Maronite priest for confirmation.

Q6. My child attends a Catholic school and all of his/her friends receive Confirmation in year 5. Can my child be confirmed again so that he/she does not feel left out?

You can only be confirmed once and so the Sacrament of Confirmation cannot be repeated again at school. If your child has been confirmed, he/she can still be involved in the sacramental preparation program so that he/she does not feel left out. It gives the child an opportunity to learn about the sacrament. The child is permitted to approach, with the class, but instead of being confirmed, the child can receive a special blessing.