Can I attend an infant "Blessing" by a Catholic family that refuses to baptize their child

[Chatter163]

If this was a baptism in a Catholic Church, the op would attend. Hence, agreeing with the choice the parents made for their child. But since it’s not a baptism in the Catholic Church the op doesn’t know if they should attend, hence judging the blessing ceremony they choose for their baby.

What sort of logic is this? How does that follow? How does someone choosing not to participate in a public act that is contrary to Catholic faith and practice “judging the blessing ceremony”? How is it judging anyone? Do I not have the prerogative–indeed, the obligation–to avoid what I consider scandalous or questionable in any way? How can someone possibly be faulted for avoiding what they see as scandalous?

 

[Linybaby]

What sort of logic is this? How does that follow? How does someone choosing not to participate in a public act that is contrary to Catholic faith and practice “judging the blessing ceremony”? How is it judging anyone? Do I not have the prerogative–indeed, the obligation–to avoid what I consider scandalous or questionable in any way? How can someone possibly be faulted for avoiding what they see as scandalous?

Look ultimately it’s the decision of the op but it’s their family and in my opinion you do for family. It’s a blessing of a new born baby, how bad could the ceremony be? I highly doubt it could be scandalous. It’s the parents choice how they raise their child. Why not be there for family because it’s something they never experienced before??? Why judge the blessing before seeing it?

Why not ask the family of the baby what exactly is a blessing and what they do?

 

[brigid12]

My first thought was to go (not participate directly, but go to the ceremony since not doing so might put a roadblock to them returning to the Catholic fold). When you said you had a daughter, if she is young then it might be confusing - depending on her age - for you to go. Maybe she is old enough to explain it to her so that she isn’t confused? Anyway, you should go if it won’t confuse your daughter and you explain it to her beforehand. Also, explain to your sister, if there is a place for you to participate, that you won’t because of your faith.

 

[Chatter163]

Look ultimately it’s the decision of the op but it’s their family and in my opinion you do for family. It’s a blessing of a new born baby, how bad could the ceremony be? I highly doubt it could be scandalous. It’s the parents choice how they raise their child. Why not be there for family because it’s something they never experienced before??? Why judge the blessing before seeing it?

Why not ask the family of the baby what exactly is a blessing and what they do?

But you avoided my question, which was how avoiding participation in something that sees as scandalous and contrary to Catholic faith and practice can be called being judgmental? Is someone not responsible for his or her own self?

 

[Linybaby]

But you avoided my question, which was how avoiding participation in something that sees as scandalous and contrary to Catholic faith and practice can be called being judgmental? Is someone not responsible for his or her own self?

You DONT KNOW if it’s scandalous and contrary to catholic faith and until you experience it you can’t assume it is, hence judging that it could be.

IMO Catholics are way to hesitant to come to those conclusions before experience it themselves.

Have you ever attended another church?? I have visited many Christian churches, some have much more teens and younger people in their attendance than the Catholic Church. And I could see the appeal to those younger people. The younger people get involved.

I love being a catholic and would never give up my religion but I have had my issues with the church. We are a typical family with young children and have tried to volunteer in many of our ministries and have been told many things that was not very nice. But I don’t go to church for anyone except for God.

Catholics are loosing parishioners, especially the younger generations. We need them to keep the church going. My parish started a teen life mass and the outrage of the older parishioners was horrible. Some of the claims they were making about how disrespectful the mass was to our Catholic Church. There is nothing wrong with the mass and I believe it a wonderful addition to our parish.

Being a catholic is all about loving, caring and accepting all people. Celebrating a simple blessing of a baby for family should be something that a cahtolic could attend, IMO.

Judge the blessing AFTER you go and see what’s it’s all about, but until you then don’t assume what it’s going to be like.

 

[Chatter163]

Tee-hee, as a convert, yes, I have been to many, many other churches. And living in a part of the country that is predominantly non-Catholic, yes, even now I do have occasion to visit other churches, for various reasons.

As for the ceremony, when a baptized Catholic abandons their faith and participates in the rituals of another, including not baptizing their child, that is a sad scandal, objectively speaking. It is not a matter of opinion that falling away from the faith and embracing another, Christian or not, saddens Our Lord. He founded one Church, and when members of that Church abandon its unity, it is always regrettable. This is testified to by saints through the centuries, and the writings of the Fathers, especially since the Protestant Reformation. One does not need to go to a ceremony to see it, to see if it is “uplifting.” It is, by its very nature, schismatic. It is therefore scandalous in the sense that Catholics have turned away from their faith.

Being a Catholic means following Our Lord and His Church, and this does not always mean not embracing a modern secular notion of “acceptance.” I am not saying that fallen away Catholics should be shunned by Catholics for all time, but neither should Catholics give the appearance that one religion is “as good as another” by their presence at such a rite. That is my last word on the subject for now.

 

[thistle]

You DONT KNOW if it’s scandalous and contrary to catholic faith and until you experience it you can’t assume it is, hence judging that it could be.

IMO Catholics are way to hesitant to come to those conclusions before experience it themselves.

Have you ever attended another church?? I have visited many Christian churches, some have much more teens and younger people in their attendance than the Catholic Church. And I could see the appeal to those younger people. The younger people get involved.

I love being a catholic and would never give up my religion but I have had my issues with the church. We are a typical family with young children and have tried to volunteer in many of our ministries and have been told many things that was not very nice. But I don’t go to church for anyone except for God.

Catholics are loosing parishioners, especially the younger generations. We need them to keep the church going. My parish started a teen life mass and the outrage of the older parishioners was horrible. Some of the claims they were making about how disrespectful the mass was to our Catholic Church. There is nothing wrong with the mass and I believe it a wonderful addition to our parish.

Being a catholic is all about loving, caring and accepting all people. **Celebrating a simple blessing of a baby for family should be something that a cahtolic could attend, IMO. **

Judge the blessing AFTER you go and see what’s it’s all about, but until you then don’t assume what it’s going to be like.

I don’t agree. Catholics may attend baptisms, weddings and funerals at mainstream non-Catholic Christian churches.
We should not participate in worship services or rituals/events which are in substitute for refusing to obey Catholic teachings - in this case the “blessing” is in place of a baptism which the couple are refusing to do, i.e. disobedience to the Church. Catholics should NOT attend because attendence displays affirmation that what that Catholic couple are doing is okay. It is not okay.

As for your comment about Catholics leaving the Church, if you do some research you will find that the Catholic Church is growing not declining. However, for the sake of debate Pope Benedict, while Cardinal Ratzinger, said it would be better to have a smaller Church of the faithful than a larger Church of those who don’t care about the teachings of Christ.