Baptism of child by lay person

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joclucsylv

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So here is the story.
My Catholic friend has a grandchild born out of wedlock. The mother of baby is anti Catholic protestant. Mother and father of baby are no longer in a relationship. My friend is worried about the baby not being baptized. I told her that perhaps behind closed doors she could get some holy water and do it herself as this is probably what I would do. I also told her I would get advice on CAF. Thank you.
 
It would be wrong to baptize the baby without the consent of the parents in the first place. Furthermore, baptism by the laity should be in only the most serious of circumstances such as imminent death. The parents have to ask a priest, or not have the baby baptized.
 
joclucsylv said:
So here is the story.
My Catholic friend has a grandchild born out of wedlock. The mother of baby is anti Catholic protestant. Mother and father of baby are no longer in a relationship. My friend is worried about the baby not being baptized. I told her that perhaps behind closed doors she could get some holy water and do it herself as this is probably what I would do. I also told her I would get advice on CAF. Thank you.
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Hi,

I have had a similar experience. I was not allowed to see my son, through an amalgamation of lies told about me and left-wing liberals (who appeared to be very anti-Catholic) being in charge of ongoing proceedings etc. So when I did get to see my son, I felt it was my duty to baptise him if the opportunity arose. He asked me to take him to the toilet (bathroom, he was still young at the time). Afterwards, while washing our hands, I asked my son to come to me; whereupon I, not with holy water but with tap water, took the opportunity to baptise my son myself in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I explained all the circumstances to a priest who was of the opinion that this baptism was valid. However, I am hopeful of all my children receiving all of the sacraments of the church in the near future.

God bless
 
Stumblesalot said:
Hi,

I have had a similar experience. I was not allowed to see my son, through an amalgamation of lies told about me and left-wing liberals (who appeared to be very anti-Catholic) being in charge of ongoing proceedings etc. So when I did get to see my son, I felt it was my duty to baptise him if the opportunity arose. He asked me to take him to the toilet (bathroom, he was still young at the time). Afterwards, while washing our hands, I asked my son to come to me; whereupon I, not with holy water but with tap water, took the opportunity to baptise my son myself in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I explained all the circumstances to a priest who was of the opinion that this baptism was valid. However, I am hopeful of all my children receiving all of the sacraments of the church in the near future.

God bless
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Your situation is quite different, you are the parent of the child.
 
Back in the 1940’s my mum, who was an infant (kindergarten) teacher in a poor, bombed out area of England would take kids behind the blackboard and baptize them if she knew they hadn’t been already.

The received wisdom today is that of the child is not going to be brought up Catholic then just pray for the child, don’t try and covertly baptize them.
 
joclucsylv said:
So here is the story.
My Catholic friend has a grandchild born out of wedlock. The mother of baby is anti Catholic protestant. Mother and father of baby are no longer in a relationship. My friend is worried about the baby not being baptized. I told her that perhaps behind closed doors she could get some holy water and do it herself as this is probably what I would do. I also told her I would get advice on CAF. Thank you.
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in order for the baptism to be valid either the parents, if the child isn’t at the age of reason, or the person himself has to be willing to have the baptism.

so if you were to baptism behind closed doors.

pray for the conversion of this baby’s parents

and pray that God may have mercy if she/he is to die young. (its possible to go to heaven and not be baptized if God in his infinite wisdom knew that if the baby lived longer he would be baptized.
 
Stumblesalot said:
Hi,

I have had a similar experience. I was not allowed to see my son, through an amalgamation of lies told about me and left-wing liberals (who appeared to be very anti-Catholic) being in charge of ongoing proceedings etc. So when I did get to see my son, I felt it was my duty to baptise him if the opportunity arose. He asked me to take him to the toilet (bathroom, he was still young at the time). Afterwards, while washing our hands, I asked my son to come to me; whereupon I, not with holy water but with tap water, took the opportunity to baptise my son myself in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I explained all the circumstances to a priest who was of the opinion that this baptism was valid. However, I am hopeful of all my children receiving all of the sacraments of the church in the near future.

God bless
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I would have done the same as you.
 
catholictiger said:
in order for the baptism to be valid either the parents, if the child isn’t at the age of reason, or the person himself has to be willing to have the baptism.
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Partially incorrect. Baptism of an infant against the parents’ wishes is merely illicit, not invalid. An adult must consent to baptism in order for it to be valid, but not so for infants.
 
Elizium23 said:
Partially incorrect. Baptism of an infant against the parents’ wishes is merely illicit, not invalid. An adult must consent to baptism in order for it to be valid, but not so for infants.
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I’m sure you are correct

but its still not a good idea to illicitly baptize a baby.
 
Elizium23 said:
Partially incorrect. Baptism of an infant against the parents’ wishes is merely illicit, not invalid. An adult must consent to baptism in order for it to be valid, but not so for infants.
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after some research I found out what is correct in this situation

the only way you could baptize a infant behind closed doors if the Parents are against the baptism of the child would be if that baby is in danger of Death. All other circumstances according to cannon law you may not do it.

see code of cannon law 849 through 878 more specifically 864 through 871. Cannon 865 is the thing you should focus on the most though

also

St Thomas Aquians which much of our theology of the sacraments has this to say.
Whether the intention of receiving the sacrament of Baptism is required on the part of the one baptized?
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I answer that, By Baptism a man dies to the old life of sin, and begins a certain newness of life, according to Romans 6:4: “We are buriedtogether with” Christ “by Baptism into death; that, as Christ is risen from the dead . . . so we also may walk in newness of life.” Consequently, just as, according to Augustine (Serm. cccli), he who has the use of free-will, must, in order to die to the old life, “will to repent of his formerlife”; so must he, of his own will, intend to lead a new life, the beginning of which is precisely the receiving of the sacrament. Therefore on the part of the one baptized, it is necessary for him to have the will or intention of receiving the sacrament.
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this is in book 3 question 68 article 7

God Bless
 
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