Clarification on Baptism
posted by: junestolnis
January 27, 2008
11:47 am
I would like some clarification regarding who can facilitate Baptism? I understand both the person being Baptized as well and the person performing the Baptism must be sincere in their desire to receive this wonderful sacrament. And ideally a priest or deacon should Baptize. I also understand the Catholic Church accepts Baptisms from other Christian faiths as valid. To me this means, Baptism is about being a member of the God's family, not so much a specific christian faith. Here's my dilema. My daughter, her husband, and my first grandchild are all Baptized Catholic. When my daughter and my son-in-law tried to schedule the Baptism of my new grandson they were denyed because neither Godparent is a practicing Catholic. The Godfather to be is my son who while brought up Catholic is a very active Christian in a non-demominational Christian Church. He is more Christian than most Catholics I know. He could have very easily registered at a nearby Catholic Parish but that would be a lie, of course he did not. I tried to explain to my daughter that if her intention is to have her son Baptized in the Catholic Church, then she must abide by the Catholic regulations. She does not understand this - both she and her husband are very upset with the Catholic Church (not the first issue she's had with Catholic doctrine). All this leaves my baby grandson in limbo. Being that both parents do want their child Baptized and the Catholic Church has refused, I believe this might qualify the situation to be urgent. Under these circumstances, would I be able to Baptize the baby (now 5 months old) if done reverently and with the best intentions for this child?




posted by: lpioch
January 27, 2008
12:02 pm
Yes, baptism is initiation into the family of God. But it is also initiation into the Catholic Church. So the godparents, who PROMISE to help raise the children in the Catholic Faith must practice that faith, or their promise is a lie.
Your (grandson's) situation is not a life and death situation, so you would be bound to the "ordinary" means of Christian initiation - Baptism by a priest or a deacon. You could baptize only in "extraordinary" cases that are life-and-death.
If your daughter is a practicing Catholic, then that means she should love the Sacrament of Baptism so much and the faith so much that she would chose only Catholic godparents. If she is having trouble with that, then she is the one that has turned it into a family/friend-politics game instead of truly knowing the meaning and value of the sacrament.
Have her read the Catechism of the Catholic Church on the Sacrament of Baptism. Sometimes these things are merely aspects of ignorance (no matter how many times MOM might say it). If she reads it, it may help.
The Catholic Church will not refuse the child the sacrament of Baptism if the God parent (and you only need 1) is Catholic. The Catholic Church will refuse a LIE knowingly professed if the godparents are not Catholic.
posted by: junestolnis
January 27, 2008
12:20 pm
I know this. I guess I was just grabbing at straws. My daughter is not a practicing catholic. More or less an Easter - Christmas sort of Catholic. Her husband even less so. That's not to judge her heart for I believe her heart is more faith filled than one might think. But I do understand. She's very stubborn. and I am sure thinks she is above the law. and obviously does NOT appreciate the value of the sacrament or she would have been sure to choose one catholic Godparent. I think the more "issue" I make of this the more opposed she (and her husband) will be. So I will take this (continue to take this) to prayer. THank you for your telling me what I needed to be reminded of. I was just kindof hoping for the sake of the child there might be some sort of loophole so to speak.
posted by: lpioch
January 27, 2008
2:39 pm
I totally understand. I do know of some grandparents that would disagree with me because they have done exactly as you propose. However, I do believe that it is ultimately done with very little faith in the power of prayer. Pray and sacrifice daily so that your grandson will be baptized and raised in the Catholic Faith. Pray and sacrifice daily for your daughter and her husband. At which point, you can rest assured of God's mercy.
Your role as a grandma is a very important one, with the example you will set and the lessons you can teach to the grandchildren. Seed-planting seems to be a big pasttime of grandmas. And I don't just mean the kind in the garden outside your house!