Priest's greeting of lapsed catholics

[ConfusedLucy]

I suppose the parish would also have to consider whether to prioritize the community welcoming the new arrival and maybe limiting how many family members can come, to be fair I have seen this done with confirmations, or whether to focus on the family celebrating with loved ones and potentially evangelising.

It’s a fairly modern thing to be fair. I’m guessing in the past there was much more overlap with the parish and family/friends.

 

[Rau]

What was Jesus’ command? Go, telling the world the Good News, baptising in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Hoiy Spirit. Not conditional!!!

Do you think Jesus was advocating baptism of infants of parents showing no inclination to the faith? I don’t think so.

 

[Rau]

The first a very good outcome, no mention of sin, just welcome. The second a very bad outcome. Why the difference…

If we are to accept you assessment, the only possible explanation can be “different priest”. You’ve managed to convince yourself that the entirely different persons involved (one son vs the other son + girlfriend & their baby) and the entirely different circumstances, are irrelevant.

 

[pianistclare]

Yes. One son WANTED to return, the other son didn’t. It seems [pretty straightforward. The conversaiton needs to happen with the reluctant son,

 

[Rau]

Do you believe in cause and effect? Why are so desparate to attribute blame to my son?

Why are you so insistent that he has none. Where is the evidence that he has the slightest openness to amending his ways?

Any priest shown a baby and being asked for a baptism should jump at the chance. Why do you think this is not so?

Why do you think infants should be baptized quite apart from the intentions of the parents to raise the child in the faith? Jesus did not command infant baptism absent parental commitment!

Why do you think it is not appropriate to welcome people into the Church. Why are you trying to justify being hard hearted.

No such claim has been made.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

OP it sounds like you are trying to blame this priest for your son not wanting to be Catholic. It’s probably more complicated than that.

 

[Rau]

It is the child that is being refused not the parents. Why refuse the child???

Were it inherently good to baptise infants, why should parental consent (and a commitment to do their best to bring the child up in the faith) be sought at all? Baptism confers responsibilities as well as graces - who will support and teach the child about the journey begun at his baptism?

 

[Rau]

I don’t think that there is any doubt that if the parents were presenting themselves for baptism, they wouldn’t be ready. But they weren’t, they were presenting their child.

Because the child is an infant, readiness of the parents is in fact of necessity. When the child is older - that will change.

It’s not the child’s fault that his/her parents don’t take their faith seriously.

No it’s not. Are you prepared to thus conclude that it would be good to quietly go about baptizing the children of all non-believers or non-practicing Christians. Perhaps grand-parents could do this, or arrange this, on a day when they’re minding the child. Why deny the child?

 

[Cruciferi]

Okay, I have a question… Are we entitled to the Sacraments? People seem to treat them like a Human Right. I mean, everyone can receive them; however, you have to commit to certain rules. :man_shrugging:t2:

 

[Rau]

Are we entitled to the Sacraments?

Who are we? Is anyone’s Right to a sacrament absolute ? No. In every case, the efficacious reception of the sacrament has conditions.

 

[Cruciferi]

“We” as in humanity. So wouldn’t that make the Sacraments a Privilege? I believe that the OP sees it as an Entitlement.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

I think it’s for the parish to decide if a typical Sunday service can accommodate a baptism with a large guest list or if a separate service would be more appropriate.

No, it would be up to the priest’s sole discretion, not some parishioners who want their “seat”. But in all reality, a priest really has no right to dictate who does and doesn’t come to Mass. Even with a separate Baptism, in a Catholic family, many may decide to go to the next Mass anyway and bring 50 people. What then?

 

[DeniseNY]

This is similar to the question I asked a bit upthread. I’d be curious to know the OPs answer.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

It is the child that is being refused not the parents. Why refuse the child???

Actually, it appears in this case its the grannys being refused, not the child. The child’s parents speak for him or her. Granny can’t speak for the child, only the parents.

 

[Cruciferi]

I suppose you could say that the Sacraments are a Conditional Gift from God. For we’re not deserving of anything.

1 Corinthians 6:20

“For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body.”

We are Privileged to receive them.

 

[Rau]

I think it’s for the parish to decide if a typical Sunday service can accommodate a baptism with a large guest list or if a separate service would be more appropriate.

Not sure we see too many space limited churches these days; some, not many. And the huge “guest list” for a baptism is the exception.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I meant parish as in authority of a parish which I guess means priest. I imagine letting parishioners vote on these things could get ugly.

Would you be absolved of your obligation if you set out to a mass in good faith and had to be turned away due to overcrowding?

 

[pianistclare]

No one is ever turned away! Why do you keep insisting that this happens? We have Masses that are quite full. People stand.
It’s a non-issue.

Again, missing the point of why Baptism is important to the community of faith, not jus a “family tradition”.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

What if you can’t stand? I probably couldn’t stand for an hour right now.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m sure someone would give you their seat.
You would have to tell an usher you need assistance.