Newborn Baptism

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expectthebest

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All,

Is a newborn covered by Baptism of desire, especially now that Baptisms aren’t done during Lent? Or should I Baptize my new son myself in the mean time? Is there there an official teaching on this?

Tks
 
expectthebest said:
All,

Is a newborn covered by Baptism of desire, especially now that Baptisms aren’t done during Lent? Or should I Baptize my new son myself in the mean time? Is there there an official teaching on this?

Tks
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  1. That can be possible- but we do not know for sure about such for it is not revealed. The Church directs that children be baptized with the first weeks. Such should not be delayed.
  2. Baptism of infants happens in Lent. Though baptism at Easter brings out the Paschal nature of baptism there is not universal rule that says baptism cannot happen during Lent.
And note again babies are to be baptized within the first few weeks.
  1. No you should not baptize him. That is not permitted.
Now if it happens that he is in danger of death (hopefully that will not happen!)…well then he can be baptized by anyone with the right form and intention (including you). (pouring water over his head while saying I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (normally the water is poured three times - once for each person).
 
Catechism:

1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57 In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize58 , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.59

1261 As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus’ tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them,"64 allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. All the more urgent is the Church’s call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#1271
 
Canon Law

Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.

§2. An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2X.HTM
 
expectthebest said:
All,Is a newborn covered by Baptism of desire,
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No
expectthebest said:
especially now that Baptisms aren’t done during Lent?
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Baptisms are most certainly done during Lent. The Church does not prohibit baptism during Lent.
expectthebest said:
Or should I Baptize my new son myself in the mean time?
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No, unless your child becomes in danger of death and needs an emergency baptism. Which should then be immediately reported to your pastor.

Outside the (immediate) danger of death (not just the general “we are all going to die someday” sort of danger of death), you should contact your pastor about a date for your son’s baptism.
expectthebest said:
Is there there an official teaching on this?
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Canon law, the Catechism, the documents regarding the discipline of the sacraments, the documents governing the liturgy.
 
Well my parish and I think the entire Diacese does not Baptise during lent. I called the Parish office to make sure and again they told me that baptisms are not done during Lent. Furthermore I have to attend a Baptism class (even though I have four other children that I’ve been through this with) prior to the baptism and this is only given maybe once per month. On top of that, the Baptisms for children in my Diacese are generally only in groups so it depends on when they schedule the next group Baptism. So, it appears my Parish and Diacese are not following the rules you all are giving me. What am I to do? Newborns can die unexpectedly.
 
expectthebest said:
Well my parish and I think the entire Diacese does not Baptise during lent. I called the Parish office to make sure and again they told me that baptisms are not done during Lent. Furthermore I have to attend a Baptism class (even though I have four other children that I’ve been through this with) prior to the baptism and this is only given maybe once per month. On top of that, the Baptisms for children in my Diacese are generally only in groups so it depends on when they schedule the next group Baptism. So, it appears my Parish and Diacese are not following the rules you all are giving me. What am I to do? Newborns can die unexpectedly.
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Talking with a Parish Secretary is talking with a Parish Secretary - not the Priest nor the Diocese.

(I did not have to go through a class for every child…)

Pursue it further.

Speak with the Pastor first…

If you need help - call Catholic Answers office.
 
Will do. Thank you. The secretary at the Church said you have to do the class again if it’s been 7 years in between children which doesn’t make sense to me. So if the Priest, after talking with him, refuses to perform the Baptism until Easter or after, I should call Catholic answers?

Tks
 
In some places it has become a custom or recommendation to seek to have baptisms at Easter due to the Pascal nature of Baptism. But again that is not the Law of the Church. Baptism is permitted during Lent etc.

See above for all the details.
 
Thanks. Why would they wait if there is a risk of death? Seems like this is a major thing. I’ll ask and let you know what I find out.
 
expectthebest said:
Will do. Thank you. The secretary at the Church said you have to do the class again if it’s been 7 years in between children which doesn’t make sense to me. So if the Priest, after talking with him, refuses to perform the Baptism until Easter or after, I should call Catholic answers?

Tks
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Sure.

And of course approach the Priest as your Father…

…and then if need you can then bring up that it is your obligation as Parent to see that your child is baptized with in the “first few weeks” and so Easter is too far off. That you know the meaning of baptism and had classes etc (as you note). And that your very willing to sit down with him for a brush up if he wants -but you really want to have your Child’s baptism not delayed. That sort of thing.
 
Bookcat said:
Canon Law

Can. 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.

§2. An infant in danger of death is to be baptized without delay.

vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2X.HTM
Click to expand...
 
expectthebest said:
Well my parish and I think the entire Diacese does not Baptise during lent. I called the Parish office to make sure and again they told me that baptisms are not done during Lent. Furthermore I have to attend a Baptism class (even though I have four other children that I’ve been through this with) prior to the baptism and this is only given maybe once per month. On top of that, the Baptisms for children in my Diacese are generally only in groups so it depends on when they schedule the next group Baptism. So, it appears my Parish and Diacese are not following the rules you all are giving me. What am I to do? Newborns can die unexpectedly.
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It is very important for you and others reading this forum to understand that the vast majority of people commenting on this forum are in no position whatsoever to articulate practices across dioceses and their propriety.

Most of the people commenting lack any education at the graduate level in the subjects for which they are attempting to offer commentary. Thus they give wrong answers, while trying to effect that they are experts in the field. They are anything but that.

The first questions you should ask of posters here are:
  1. Are you a priest or deacon?
  2. Are you a theologian, with a doctorate in your theological specialisation?
  3. Are you a canonist?
As to your specific points:
  1. Yes, there most assuredly are parishes which elect not to do baptisms during Lent.
  2. Yes, there are parishes which require repetition of the baptismal class – for both parents and baptismal sponsors. One should also expect documentation requirements.
  3. You should comply with the procedures enacted by your parish priest…reserve a spot in the next class and then reserve a spot in the next scheduled administration of Baptism. You should clarify the requirements for the sponsors now so that does not become an issue.
Any person at any moment can experience sudden death…that remote reality is not, however, the basis for how we, as priests, determine the normal administration of the sacraments. I do not instantly receive someone into the Church because they could be run over by a car before the envisioned moment of reception. On the other hand, I have adjusted the schedule, even radically, for persons who were, actually, terminally ill.

If an infant has an actual diagnosis that is life-threatening, the case is handled differently.

The way in which the canons are actually lived by the Particular Churches varies greatly between the developed world, with its low infant mortality rates, and the developing world. Procedures and also expectations are markedly different between, for example, North America and rural areas in Africa.

What you relate indicates your child could be baptised in, more or less, 6-12 weeks. That is not outside the norm nor is it outside of what canon law envisions…at all.
 
Thank you. But isn’t there a chance the baby would go to hell if he were to die in the interim?
 
Don_Ruggero said:
It is very important for you and others reading this forum to understand that the vast majority of people commenting on this forum are in no position whatsoever to articulate practices across dioceses and their propriety.

Most of the people commenting lack any education at the graduate level in the subjects for which they are attempting to offer commentary. Thus they give wrong answers, while trying to effect that they are experts in the field. They are anything but that.

The first questions you should ask of posters here are:
  1. Are you a priest or deacon?
  2. Are you a theologian, with a doctorate in your theological specialisation?
  3. Are you a canonist?
As to your specific points:
  1. Yes, there most assuredly are parishes which elect not to do baptisms during Lent.
  2. Yes, there are parishes which require repetition of the baptismal class – for both parents and baptismal sponsors. One should also expect documentation requirements.
  3. You should comply with the procedures enacted by your parish priest…reserve a spot in the next class and then reserve a spot in the next scheduled administration of Baptism. You should clarify the requirements for the sponsors now so that does not become an issue.
Any person at any moment can experience sudden death…that remote reality is not, however, the basis for how we, as priests, determine the normal administration of the sacraments. I do not instantly receive someone into the Church because they could be run over by a car before the envisioned moment of reception. On the other hand, I have adjusted the schedule, even radically, for persons who were, actually, terminally ill.

If an infant has an actual diagnosis that is life-threatening, the case is handled differently.

The way in which the canons are actually lived by the Particular Churches varies greatly between the developed world, with its low infant mortality rates, and the developing world. Procedures and also expectations are markedly different between, for example, North America and rural areas in Africa.

What you relate indicates your child could be baptised in, more or less, 6-12 weeks. That is not outside the norm nor is it outside of what canon law envisions…at all.
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AMEN!
 
expectthebest said:
Will do. Thank you. The secretary at the Church said you have to do the class again if it’s been 7 years in between children which doesn’t make sense to me. So if the Priest, after talking with him, refuses to perform the Baptism until Easter or after, I should call Catholic answers?

Tks
Click to expand...
There is absolutely nothing unreasonable in the policy that you have relayed from your parish. Nothing.

Easter this year is April 16 and today is March 11. That is hardly an onerous delay.

As for calling the offices of Catholic Answers, I cannot imagine how that would be of any utility, since the decision lies with your parish priest and with your diocese.

Since you have listed your religion as “Raised Catholic but not sure what I believe now,” you would benefit from the class.

Since you qualify yourself simply as “raised Catholic,” are you actually practicing the Faith? Or is your spouse? That is, actually, a more relevant question to be asking in light of canon 868.
 
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