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TMK
Guest
What are your thoughts about non-Catholics and even non-Christians being invited to a Catholic baptism of a child/infant?
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Julianna
Guest
Makes no difference to me. I had Protestant friends attending both baptisms of my children. Nothing wrong with it. Why would it matter?
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Truly_Beloved
Guest
Welcome to the forums!
I think that as long as the non-Catholic/non-Christian being invited wants to be there and enjoy the event, go for it! When I became Catholic, my best friend from high school came to my baptism, and she is Jewish. She would love to come to my babies’ baptisms, but she lives out of state now. In turn, I would love to go to her babies’ naming ceremonies.
Since I’m a convert, my family isn’t Catholic, but they came to my daughter’s baptism when she was 2.5 months old. My mom doesn’t “understand” infant baptism (she’s non-denominational Protestant, but not practicing), but understands that in Catholicism, infant baptism is important. Since it was important to me, she came and supported me. Same with my Nuptial Mass.
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TMK
Guest
What about Christians who do not believe in infant-baptism? What about non-Christians and others who are not within the Judeo-Christian religions? What about persons who have no religion at all and are not baptized or a member of any faith? At a Catholic baptism, the Catholic community welcomes the child into the Catholic community and renews their own baptism vows.
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puzzleannie
Guest
it depends, are they family or exceptionally close friends who would normally come to your family events such as weddings? would you normally be invited and go to similar landmark events in their church or synagogue? Granddaughter’s friend and neighbor since she was 5 is Jewish, and the families have been to each other’s communions, bar mitvahs, graduations etc. Most Catholic families have some members or in-laws who are not Catholic and could scarcely be excluded from such an occasion. Any who object in conscience to participating in a religious rite are free to decline, and to come to the party afterward, as one might do for a wedding.
just a word about “inviting” people to sacraments. If it takes place in the context of Mass, every Mass is “open to the public”. this is the public worship of the Church, and therefore not exclusive (including weddings by the way) so there is no way to ban offensive Aunt Tillie or George’s ex-wife from the Mass. That being said if a lot of children will be baptized (or receive 1st communion) at the same time it may be necessary to suggest to parents to limit invited guests because of space considerations.
If the person you might invite would probably be offended by the gesture don’t invite. we have an atheist relative who goes into a frenzy at the mere mention of anything religious so he is not even informed of such family events.
just a word about “inviting” people to sacraments. If it takes place in the context of Mass, every Mass is “open to the public”. this is the public worship of the Church, and therefore not exclusive (including weddings by the way) so there is no way to ban offensive Aunt Tillie or George’s ex-wife from the Mass. That being said if a lot of children will be baptized (or receive 1st communion) at the same time it may be necessary to suggest to parents to limit invited guests because of space considerations.
If the person you might invite would probably be offended by the gesture don’t invite. we have an atheist relative who goes into a frenzy at the mere mention of anything religious so he is not even informed of such family events.
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gardenswithkids
Guest
You know the people; we don’t. Some people are offended by the very concept of infant baptism, while others might be offended by not recieving an invitation. The story of Sleeping Beauty shows how some people can get very upset at being left out of such events. In my own less-than-fairy tale experience, we didn’t hear an RSVP back from one extended family member we invited to a baptism. We later recieved from her an anti-Catholic pamplet in the mail that included objections to infant baptism; she’s not on our invite list anymore. Use your best judgement.
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Phemie
Guest
I invited my non-Catholic friends and I would have invited my Hindu friend & his wife if he’d lived close enough, after all, I attended their boys’ rituals. We rejoice in the fact that our child is baptized and our friends, unless they have a serious problem with baptism, will be happy for us.
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nova147
Guest
It depends on the people, I suppose. My SIL and BIL are non-Catholics who were both baptized as adults (she had already been baptized as an infant) and don’t plan to baptize any children they have as infants. But when my son was baptized, they stood up as Christian witnesses to his baptism and I consider them to be important parts of his faith development. There are very few Catholics in our family - I am a convert and DH is from a non-practicing household. So when we invite family, we are not inviting Catholics. But all of our close family members are supportive of the decision we have made to become Catholics and to raise our children in the faith. They are respectful of the traditions and careful to not confuse our son with non-Catholic ideas. I know this would not be the case with all non-Catholics (and am, btw, on guard for changes in the way our family handles it as well). I would not invite anyone who is going to hostile or disruptive, but baptism is an important event in my children’s lives and I prefer to share it with the people who are important to me.
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cameron_lansing
Guest
I have baptized hundreds of children over the years with all sorts of people present.
The presence of non Catholics and non Christians provides an opportunity not only to catechize the Catholics present about baptism, but also to help evangelize the others. Frequently, the non Catholics and non Christians will present that they had misconceptions about our faith and are thankful that these were cleared up.
So this may be an opportunity to bring someone to our Lord.
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puzzleannie
Guest
bear in mind that all baptized Christians of any denomination are part of the Church that is welcoming the newly baptized, even those not in perfect communion with Her, and are properly present at any baptism.
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OutinChgoburbs
Guest
As long as they are not overly rude and don’t act up during the baptism or massif there is one to accompany, the more the merrier!
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