Reply to For Catholics: Baptism Question

Forum Index » Religion

Reply to "For Catholics: Baptism Question"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]PP’s are correct that anyone who intends what the Church intends and uses the correct formula can validly confer baptism; however, this is meant for emergencies (e.g.  danger of death), and not to avoid following the normal procedure of having a bishop, priest or deacon perform the rites.

The primary obstacle OP is likely to face in seeking baptism at their local parish is the requirement of Canon 868 sec. 2 that “there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion.” As a non-practicing Catholic, OP needs to be prepared to address this. Will the nanny be responsible?  Someone else? Or will OP be returning to a minimal degree of practice as well.

OP says time seems to be running out. It is not clear why. People defer baptism all the time, although it is a poor idea.

The best thing to do might be to go to the nanny’s parish and talk to the priest there to see what the reaction is.

[/quote]

Op here. I have gone to a couple events at the church but never mass. I am willing to go to mass for a couple months if it convinces the priest to the baptism. I shouldn’t take communion, though, right? Because I don’t believe?

Church may not be my thing but I don’t want to do anything disrespectful.

I think it’s very important to our nanny to have this done, and in the church formally.

I thought they wouldn’t baptize a child over 7, so that’s where the urgency was coming from for me. But perhaps I’m wrong about that, it sounds like.[/quote]

The Catholic church has two routes to baptism or communion.  One is generally thought of as for infants, but it's for kids 7 and under, and is two steps.  Parents make a decision to have their kids baptized, and then they take classes to prepare for communion at a later date.  The other route is called the "Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults" and is for 8 and up, and includes classes.  In that case Baptism and Communion usually happen at the same service, usually at the Easter Vigil.

So, you are right that things change at 7, but people can be baptized after 7.

While the church will recognize a baptism done at home, Catholics are expected to have their kids baptized at a church unless there's an emergency.  If your nanny is a devout Catholic she's not going to do a home baptism unless someone is dying.

Meet with the priest.  That's really the way forward here.  The priest wants your kid baptized.  Those of us who believe would say that Jesus wants your kid baptized.  He will help you figure it out. 
[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics