I think that the OP needs to realize that this is an Internet forum, that some of these harsh answers are from pious people who let the letter of the law take over when an action is seen by them as rigid and intolerant and are full of love and acceptance for much less understandable actions, and even downright sinful ones.
And that is what I see in the responses. It is hard to imagine that no one at least understands why you would perform such an action. You felt that the children were in danger of spiritual death, and acted drastically, perhaps inadvisably, but realize this torrent of nastiness is reserved for many a traditionalist on here, or for those of us, who, for whatever reason, cannot wrap ourselves around some of the questionable theology of Vatican II.
Yes, you overstepped your bounds, no, you are not satan incarnate. If you have a good relationship with your son and daughter in law otherwise, they may actually laugh this off as goofy old mom being superstitious. I am 51 but remember the days when a newborn wasn’t taken outside before being baptized because of the “evil eye”. If you have correctly assessed them this will be their reaction. If it isn’t, you still have to tell them, as ask humbly if they mind your involvement in the children’s religious education. If they agree, fine, if not you have to let go and pray.
Talk to a priest, not just Internet posters. You will be surprised. I doubt that you will encounter this kind of rage. At least a little sympathy will creep in. A lot of those catechism links just talk about removing original sin after all.
Also there is a form of conditional baptism. Our youngest was adopted from Guatemala as a five month old. We had no way of know if he had already been baptized as being from a peasant culture such practices are common. Our priest used a special formula for his baptism. They need to know in case they decide someday to become practicing Catholics, or have the children baptized in a different Chistian religion.
I also do not see where the original poster said that her children were bad parents. This was only about her fear of them being raised without religion.
The bulk of good grandparenting is done in prayer. So is a lot of good parenting but I just figured that out.
Thank you for answering in a charitable way. Sometimes I detest the internet. People jump in and put words in your mouth, motives in your actions, and intentions you never meant, then they turn around and lambast you for doing all three. I see it being done so often on all kinds of web sites. It can get to be evil.
I followed the Catechism of the Chruch on Baptising and I trusted what it said. I don’t think I can be chastized for that. Maybe the church needs to post the rules in the bullitin for grandparents of children who are lapsed Catholics or married out of the church. Baptizing is so easy I would bet many worried grandparents are doing this for their grandchildren. Many who live across the country and can’t very much influence but once or twice a year.
Children do get into accidents and die. It’s not a fantasy for many families, it’s reality. Why do you think the Church tells parents not to wait to baptise? When one is raised and taught this way, yes it can worry a person, and has nothing to do with superstitution or maybe some think the Church is superstitous, I don’t. I believe what it teaches.
I see other grandparents worry as well-----thanks for the link-----I see this grandmother had another issue to deal with than I but she did what she thought was the right thing as well. I guess we grandparents will have to follow our conscience and hope for the best.
9:11 pm
TigerKitty
Junior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007
Posts: 275
Religion: Catholic
Re: can a lay person baptize a child
So if following this story correctly, the parents did want to baptize the child, but they just hadn’t gotten around to it yet, yes? There was not threat of imminent death.
So the grandmother just got impatient and took things into her own hands.
Now here’s the question: What if the mother of the child wanted the child baptized, but the father absolutely did not? (Catholic mother, lapsed Methodist father who refuses to allow his wife/children to set foot in a catholic church again. In fact, father refuses any/all organized religion).
Now, if the grandmother baptized the child in this case, is it a sin for the grandmother? Of course, grandmother is hoping that the child’s father will come around one day and convert to catholicism, and is worried about the child’s soul in the mean time. However, I personally don’t see this happening (and no, it’s not my child. just a situation I’m aware of). Also, grandmother has opportunity to take child to church (behind father’s back), but does not, and doesn’t actively work toward educating child about catholic faith
) They probably don’t realize that no one comes and stays for 3 years as a “troll.” 