Can I baptize my baby if my parish refuses to do so?

[Maryanne820]

We are expecting a baby due at the beginning of this coming Lent. The priests at our parish and neighboring parishes I have contacted said they absolutely will not baptize babies during Lent because baptism is supposed to be a celebration and it’s not liturgically appropriate. The pastor at my own parish says I should not worry about what might happen in the meantime because unbaptized babies will go to heaven. In my own understanding, we can only entrust them to the mercy of God, and there is no assurance of them going to heaven… also, that the Church recommends there be no significant delays in baptizing babies.

I feel as though my only option is to baptize my baby myself and have the priests do a conditional baptism after Lent is over. In my understanding, if there is no real emergency present, this type of baptism is valid but illicit. What does that mean, practically speaking? Does it mean it would be sinful? Or just that it goes against canon law. Obviously my motives are to baptize the baby in case an emergency happens before I can get a priest to baptize him/her, but I realize that does not suffice as an actual emergency. Please advise, if you can. I know this is not ideal, but I feel I have no other choice. Thank you.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

You are correct on all points, with the exception that the circumstances do not constitute a life-and-death emergency that would make it licit for you to baptize your baby yourself. The parishes you have contacted are incorrect to deny your baby baptism. I recommend contacting your diocese and asking for assistance in finding a priest or deacon who will baptize your baby during Lent. If the diocese refuses, contact the St. Joseph Foundation for further assistance. The St. Joseph Foundation is an apostolate that helps Catholics assert their rights within the Church.

Recommended reading:

Why won’t my church baptize during Lent?