4Real Forums: Baptism Question

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Topic: Baptism Question

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MarieC
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Joined: Oct 19 2005
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Posted: July 24 2006 at 3:13pm \| IP Logged

My infant nephew is to be baptized in a Catholic church in Aug. His parents stopped attending Mass a number of months ago and now attend a non-denom. "mega-church". The new church doesn't baptize (or at least not infants).

This just doesn't seem right. I know part of canon law says that there needs to be "a well-founded hope" that the child will be brought up in the faith. This doesn't seem likely if the parents aren't even going to Mass. My dh, on the other hand, thinks the baby should receive the grace of baptism.

What's the real answer? If this isn't ok, am I under any obligation to do anything?

Thanks!

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Marie
mom to 6
dds-98, 00, 02 and 09 & dss-03 and 06
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hylabrook1
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Joined: July 09 2006
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Posted: July 24 2006 at 3:49pm \| IP Logged

Hello Marie -

It's things like this that drive you crazy! You want to be there and be happy that the baby is being baptized, but then you feel confused or somehow offended, like something is being mocked, if the parents don't really seem to mean what they appear to be saying when they ask to have the baby baptized a Catholic. I've certainly heard of baptism being refused in circumstances like this, where it seems likely it is not going to be followed by a Catholic upbringing, but I've also seen priests who were happy to allow the baby the grace of the sacrament. I guess what I'm saying is that it is likely something that is left to the (prayerful) discretion of the priest.

The main thing you can do, I guess, is pray that someone gets something clear in their own minds. I don't know whether you can discuss it with the baby's parents to try and figure out what their understanding of baptism is or whether they intend to return to the Catholic church.

On the whole it sounds like a touchy situation.

Peace,
Nancy

teachingmyown
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Joined: Feb 20 2005
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Posted: July 24 2006 at 4:19pm \| IP Logged

How about the godparents? Are they people who will take this seriously even if the parents don't?

I don't think there is much you can do other than prayer and set an example of how to live the Faith. As he gets older, I would suggest you always give him gifts that will help him learn about the Faith. The parents really shouldn't be able to object and you could always remind them that they chose Catholicism for him and you are just trying to help him understand it.

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In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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MarieC
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Joined: Oct 19 2005
Location: Ohio
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Posted: July 24 2006 at 5:48pm \| IP Logged

teachingmyown wrote:

How about the godparents? Are they people who will take this seriously even if the parents don't?

Godparents are very young. The gm is entering her senior year of hs. She's the mom's cousin. I mostly know she likes to play basketball. The gf is my cousin's son. He's a senior in college. Seems like a nice guy but not overtly religious.

teachingmyown wrote:

I don't think there is much you can do other than prayer and set an example of how to live the Faith. As he gets older, I would suggest you always give him gifts that will help him learn about the Faith. The parents really shouldn't be able to object and you could always remind them that they chose Catholicism for him and you are just trying to help him understand it.

Thank you for this good advice. I guess I worry about overstepping my bounds. But then again, they chose baptism for the children, not me. DH and I are godparents to their oldest and since they stopped attending Mass I haven't known how much I could do/say with my niece. She's only 5 so nothing too heavy is required.

Thanks for the thoughts.

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Marie
mom to 6
dds-98, 00, 02 and 09 & dss-03 and 06
Out in the Orchard

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