Baptism Instruction

[Lovemyfaith]

Our parish has a number of Baptisms to children whose parents are either unmarrieds or their marriages have not been blessed by the church. I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts or recommendations (like books). It is so important to bring these children into the church, but just as important to instruct their parents who will ultimately be the primary instructors of religion to their children.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

Most parishes that I am aware of already have in place a requirement that all parents attend a class prior to having their children baptized. I doubt that any books are involved, since it is usually just a one-evening class.

However, I would imagine that the priests and deacons presenting these classes emphasize the importance of raising the children in the faith, and I would hope that they encourage further adult religion classes for those whose religious education seems lacking.

 

[japhy]

Except in cases of emergency, the Church does not baptize children who will not actively be brought up in the faith:
Although the Church is truly aware of the efficacy of her faith operating in the Baptism of children, and aware of the validity of the sacrament that she confers on them, she recognizes limits to her practice, since, apart from cases of danger of death, she does not admit a child to Baptism without its parents’ consent and a serious assurance that after Baptism it will be given a Catholic upbringing.* This is because she is concerned both for the natural rights of the parents and for the requirements of the development of faith in the child. (Pastoralis Actio, n. 15)

• There is a long-standing tradition, appealed to by St. Thomas Aquinas (, IIa-IIae, q. 10, a. 12, in c.Summa Theologica) and Pope Benedict XIV (Instruction Postremo Mense of February 28, 1747, 4-5: DS 2552- 2553), against baptizing a child of unbelieving or Jewish parents, except in danger of death (1917 CIC, can. 750, par. 2) against the parents’ wishes, that is unless the parents ask for it and give guarantees.
  The current Code of Canon Law (1983) has this to say on the matter:
  Can. 868 §1 For an infant to be baptised lawfully it is required:

1° that the parents, or at least one of them, or the person who lawfully holds their place, give their consent;

2° that there be a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion. If such hope is truly lacking, the baptism is, in accordance with the provisions of particular law, to be deferred and the parents advised of the reason for this.

§2 An infant of catholic parents, indeed even of non-catholic parents, may in danger of death be baptised even if the parents are opposed to it.
Note I’m not necessarily saying that unmarried people or those in marriages not blessed by the Church won’t bring their child up in the faith! I’m just making sure this part of the Church’s teaching is known.