Baptism Crisis! Need an answer quickly

[Darth_Catholic]

Today, my mother and I went to our local parish to inquire about the baptism my neice who is 6 years old and will be 7 in July. We were told that she can’t be baptized as of yet, and would have to go through 3 years of catechisis to be baptized, communion, and confirmed.

This response pretty much floored us. I understand her going through instructions regarding the eucharist and confirmation. But having to wait 3 years for her baptism is heart breaking. Primarily because, God forbid, that if anything happens to her, I wouldn’t want her leaving this world without being baptized.

Is my parish doing the right thing? Or should I be concered that something is not right?

An answer would greatly be appreciated.

 

[STIOFAN]

Darth_Catholic:

Is my parish doing the right thing? Or should I be concered that something is not right?

An answer would greatly be appreciated.

I do think 3 years is a bit long, regarding the Baptism, in an emergency you can Baptize your child youself, using Holy water.
Saying I Baptize you (-------) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Others on here may have a better answer.

 

[MariaG]

Many parishes now confirm at a younger age. Others confirm at an older age. In our diocese, priests will baptize older children, let them go through first communion, and then confirm at the same time as their peers, which is highschool age. There was an older child, 13 who wished to be baptized but the priest made her study for several years first also, when she then was baptizes and confirmed at the same time.

It sounds to me as if your parish, if not the whole diocese confirms at a younger age.

While it would be hard to not get her baptized, just remember that those who are studying to become members of the Church are covered in the Baptism of Desire if they should die.

God Bless,
Maria

 

[puzzleannie]

Darth_Catholic:

Today, my mother and I went to our local parish to inquire about the baptism my neice who is 6 years old and will be 7 in July. We were told that she can’t be baptized as of yet, and would have to go through 3 years of catechisis to be baptized, communion, and confirmed.

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If she is 6 and your church has baptisms before July, parents and godparents should take the classes and present her for baptism before then. After the age of 7, or when the bishop of your diocese has set as the “age of reason” or “catechetical age” (generally 7 or later) the child is considered an adult in canon law for the purposes of RCIA - Rites of Christian Initiation. In other words, she is an infant before age 7 and is presented for baptism through the faith of her parents. After age 7 she has to make that decision herself, and that requires a preparation time adequate to make that decision knowledgeably. 2-3 years is the recommendation. We are about to extend the preparation time from 2 to 3 years in this parish because these children, in our experience, are not ready after 2 years.

Please get an interview with the priest right away and find out why you cannot baptize before her 7th birthday. Don’t accept the answer of the secretary, DRE or anyone other than the pastor.

 

[RSiscoe]

Darth_Catholic:

Today, my mother and I went to our local parish to inquire about the baptism my neice who is 6 years old and will be 7 in July. We were told that she can’t be baptized as of yet, and would have to go through 3 years of catechisis to be baptized, communion, and confirmed.

This response pretty much floored us. I understand her going through instructions regarding the eucharist and confirmation. But having to wait 3 years for her baptism is heart breaking. Primarily because, God forbid, that if anything happens to her, I wouldn’t want her leaving this world without being baptized.

Is my parish doing the right thing? Or should I be concered that something is not right?

An answer would greatly be appreciated.

FIND ANOTHER PARISH!!!

 

[KBarn]

I remember a verse from the Acts of the Apostles. I believe the Ethiopian asks St. Philip after receiving a brief catechesis, “What shall prevent me from being baptized?” Apparently nothing because he received baptism that day. Additionally, St. Peter and the Apostles baptized 3000 after one day of preaching. I think you need to find a priest who will see the wisdom in immediately initiating her in the life of Christ and His Church. If I were a priest, I would baptize immediately. There is no sense in risking some extraordinary circumstance that would result in her having never been baptized.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Darth_Catholic:

Today, my mother and I went to our local parish to inquire about the baptism my neice who is 6 years old and will be 7 in July. We were told that she can’t be baptized as of yet, and would have to go through 3 years of catechisis to be baptized, communion, and confirmed.

This response pretty much floored us. I understand her going through instructions regarding the eucharist and confirmation. But having to wait 3 years for her baptism is heart breaking. Primarily because, God forbid, that if anything happens to her, I wouldn’t want her leaving this world without being baptized.

Is my parish doing the right thing? Or should I be concered that something is not right?

An answer would greatly be appreciated.

What your parish is doing is incorrect. A child according to Canon Law can be presented for Baptism (however usually by the parent(s)) until the “Age of Reason” usually about 7 years old without being required to participate in any pre-Baptism catechesis. However I don’t blame this priest for questioning why six years and where is the parents, those responsible for raising the child in the faith?

 

[patrickmichael]

Darth_Catholic:

But having to wait 3 years for her baptism is heart breaking. Primarily because, God forbid, that if anything happens to her, I wouldn’t want her leaving this world without being baptized.

I want to address this concern; you do not have to be afraid.

From the catechism: “For catechumens who die before their baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.” (1259)

This is the “baptism of desire”, like the “baptism in blood” of the unbaptized martyrs of the Faith.

Now, whether your neice can be baptized immediately is another matter, but she is in no spiritual danger if your pastor enrolls her in the order of catechumans prior to her sacramental initiation. Catechumans have already and are continuing to say “Yes” to God by their perserverance, something even we baptized Christians must do if we are to die in God’s grace.

Don’t worry.

 

[Darth_Catholic]

Good news. My mother attended a meeting today at our church, and she spoke with the pastor. He allowed my niece to be baptized in June, much to the dismay of the secritary who informed him that she is almost 7 and should wait.

As for why she was not baptized all these years… Her mother and father aren’t active in the church or faith for that matter. I’m relatively new to my faith as well, so I waited for my sister to get her act together and get her baptized. Therefore when it obviously seemed like she wasn’t interested in taking the time, I along with my mother took it upon ourselves to see to it.

Thanks everyone for your info and advice.