What do you do when you witness an invalid baptism?

[petite_foireuse]

A few years ago, I witnessed a very strange baptism, and I have always wondered what I should have done at the time/what I should do now, if anything can still be saved.

The problem is, the priest held a sermon about the Trinity, how the Father is God, the Son showed his love for us by coming into this world, and the Holy Ghost gives us, among others, the gift of discernment. He then proceeded to baptize the child in the name of “God, Love, and Discernment”! So, that kid isn’t really baptized, right?

What would be a good course of action at that point, given that the parents wouldn’t care for being told, since they consider the whole thing a family happening?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

Tell the parents anyway. Baptizing in the name of “God, Love, and Discernment” is certainly invalid and the child will need to be re-baptized. If the parents refuse to take action, it then becomes their responsibility.

I also recommend writing to the bishop of the diocese in which this baptism occurred and explaining to him what you witnessed. I very much doubt that this child was the only one this priest baptized invalidly. If that indeed is the case, then the diocese is going to have to investigate the situation and, if necessary, arrange for re-baptisms for the children baptized by this priest.