Can a priest refuse to baptize a child whose parents do not practice the faith?

[DLT]

My question is can a priest refuse to baptize an infant whose parents are living in sin with an opposite or same-sex partner, had the child by invitro fertilization, etc. and are unrepentant? Please give the name and number of a Canon Law or other Church document.

 

[Jim_Blackburn]

Yes. In fact, the priest is legally bound to refuse baptism in such a case. Here is the law from the Code of Canon Law:

868 §1. For an infant to be baptized licitly:
1/ the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent;
2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason.