Court Refuses To Order Amendment In Baptismal Certificate

In Matter of Wilson v. Kilkenny, (NY Sup Ct, Kings Co., May 15, 2006), a New York state trial court refused an unmarried father's request that the court order the Roman Catholic Church to issue his child an amended baptismal certificate. As part of a suit to force a change in the child's name, the father sought to have the baptismal certificate reflect that he is the child's father. The court held that the First Amendment precludes it from interfering in what amounts to a religious dispute between the parents, finding that it is solely for Church authorities to decide whether the baptismal certificate should be amended.