Infant baptism of desire?

[sarahkies]

If I am not mistaken, the church doesn’t say much about unborn children who are killed, or die naturally, and whether or not they can receive baptism of desire by their parents. My question is, if the parents have to stand in the place of their child when they are baptized with water as babies, why can they not also stand in the place of their unborn child for baptism of desire? Or are they just left to the mercy of God? Thanks in advance!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

If I am not mistaken, the church doesn’t say much about unborn children who are killed, or die naturally, and whether or not they can receive baptism of desire by their parents. My question is, if the parents have to stand in the place of their child when they are baptized with water as babies, why can they not also stand in the place of their unborn child for baptism of desire? Or are they just left to the mercy of God? Thanks in advance!

One person cannot desire Baptism for another person, they must make it clear that they dsire Baptism for themselves. This is why a Catechumen received Baptism of desire. Because they have made it clear in the Rite of Acceptance they seek Baptism. A child is left in the hands of God, we do not know what happens to them. We should all do whatever we can to insure that all children are Baptized without delay.