Can I baptize my nephew without parental permission?

[qmvsimp]

My sister was sacramentally married, and at the time, pledged to raise her children Catholic. Since then, she has become secular and she does not want to baptize her new-born son. Can I secretly baptize him without her permission? Her husband is nominally Jewish, and he (the infant) did have a bris. He (the father) defers to her on the decision.

What other obligations would I have if I did this? What moral obligations do I have to baptize the infant?

 

[puzzleannie]

My sister was sacramentally married, and at the time, pledged to raise her children Catholic. Since then, she has become secular and she does not want to baptize her new-born son. Can I secretly baptize him without her permission? Her husband is nominally Jewish, and he (the infant) did have a bris. He (the father) defers to her on the decision.

What other obligations would I have if I did this? What moral obligations do I have to baptize the infant?

no a child may not, in canon law, be baptized unless the parents can give assurance the child will be raised Catholic and at least one parent assents. this is extremely serious. do not even consider binding this child by Catholic church laws if he is not even going to be taught what those laws are.

the only time you can baptize him is in imminent danger of death, and not even then if a priest or deacon is available.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

My sister was sacramentally married, and at the time, pledged to raise her children Catholic. Since then, she has become secular and she does not want to baptize her new-born son. Can I secretly baptize him without her permission? Her husband is nominally Jewish, and he (the infant) did have a bris. He (the father) defers to her on the decision.

What other obligations would I have if I did this? What moral obligations do I have to baptize the infant?

You can if the priest or deacon is on the way and doctor says that he is likely to die before the priest or deacon arrives. Make sure that if you do you must go by the parish the next day and give them all the information so that the Baptism can be recorded in the parish Baptismal register. If he lives the pastor will supply the additional Rites of infant Baptism like the anointing with Sacred Chrism and the prayers. Those are the only circumstances under Canon Law that allow for you to Baptize him.

 

[Kielbasi]

My sister was sacramentally married, and at the time, pledged to raise her children Catholic. Since then, she has become secular and she does not want to baptize her new-born son. Can I secretly baptize him without her permission? Her husband is nominally Jewish, and he (the infant) did have a bris. He (the father) defers to her on the decision.

The short answer is “no” if there isn’t any assurance the child will be raised Catholic it is against the rules.

I’m suprised the child receive the bris. Seems contrary to Jewish teaching, as being born to a Jewish mother is what makes one Jewish, and your sister is presumably not Jewish.

 

[qmvsimp]

Thanks for all your help. I understand the issue much better now and will certainly not baptize the baby. I will continue to encourage my sister to come back to the fold and baptize her child.

 

[lizaanne]

Thanks for all your help. I understand the issue much better now and will certainly not baptize the baby. I will continue to encourage my sister to come back to the fold and baptize her child.

This would be best - for both of them actually.

~Liza

 

[qmvsimp]

I’m suprised the child receive the bris. Seems contrary to Jewish teaching, as being born to a Jewish mother is what makes one Jewish, and your sister is presumably not Jewish.

Are you really surprised? Given the multitude of Jewish sects, everyone does pretty much what they want to do (female and gay rabbis, etc.). If I recall correctly, the father took him to a pediatrician that had some kind of standing in Reformed Judaism to perform bris’.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Thanks for all your help. I understand the issue much better now and will certainly not baptize the baby. I will continue to encourage my sister to come back to the fold and baptize her child.

Do remember that if there is a serious situation where the child is ill or injured, please call the local pastor and ask him to come to the hospital. Hospitals generally will no longer do this.

 

[NetNuncio]

The answer to the question “can you?” is yes. Anyone can baptize, even those who do not cling to Catholic teaching, assuming they use the proper form.

The better question in this situation, however, is SHOULD you. The answer is no. My colleagues here have pointed to canons that forbid it and for good reason. Children should have the opportunity to be educated in their faith.

Baptizing someone without the proper approval should be done ONLY in danger of death and, if the baptism takes place and the person survives, the sacrament should be reported to the Church.

Adam

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The answer to the question “can you?” is yes. Anyone can baptize, even those who do not cling to Catholic teaching, assuming they use the proper form.

The better question in this situation, however, is SHOULD you. The answer is no. My colleagues here have pointed to canons that forbid it and for good reason. Children should have the opportunity to be educated in their faith.

Baptizing someone without the proper approval should be done ONLY in danger of death and, if the baptism takes place and the person survives, the sacrament should be reported to the Church.

Adam

Even if the person does not survive it must be recorded in the parish Baptismal register.

 

[Alycin]

I know how you feel.

I have a beautiful new niece and sometimes I wish I could have the priest come by and baptize her, or bring her to the church and have it done there… but I think my sister finally decided to have her baptized.