Why baptize my baby in the Catholic Church vs. Lutheran Church?

[ahs]

I received an email from a family member whose cousin-in-law asked this. I’m not 100% how to answer and am looking for any books that may cover this as well.

Background (all that I know so far):
Mother-to-be is Catholic, father-to-be is Lutheran, Married in Catholic Church. Regular Church attendance is uncertain. Baby to be born soon. Mother-to-be reads a lot and is willing to read suggested books.

The meat of the question:
Why Baptize in the Catholic Church vs. the Lutheran church? * really understand the difference, why either would be better over the other.

What I said, which may/may not answer her question:
If they were Married in the Catholic Church, then they are obliged to raise their children in the Catholic faith, and therefore should have the child baptized in the Catholic faith. The Priest should have gone over all of that before they were Married. If the child is baptized in the Lutheran church, they are only professing a part of the Catholic faith, not the fullness of it. ALSO, they would be baptizing the child in a church that rejects certain truths of the Catholic Church AND teaches things contrary to the Catholic faith.

On the other hand, when the child is baptized into the Catholic Church, he/she is a Catholic and bound to the Catholic faith from that moment. *So, if there is no expectation that the mother would continue to raise her child in the Catholic faith, then it would be better not to. * Is that correct? Or did I just misinform my brother???]HOWEVER, that’s only assuming she refuses her obligation to raise the child Catholic.

A good recent book is “The Protestant’s Dilemma” by Devin Rose.
There are tons of reference materials on baptism, but I don’t know of a particular book that is specific to it. I’ll see what else I can find out…hence this post].*

 

[St_Francis]

The priest is required to have a well-founded faith that the child will be brought up Catholic (for the reasons you mentioned) in order to baptize the baby. And nowadays parents are often required to take classes before baptism of their baby or child.

So the mother you describe may not have the option of a Catholic baptism.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The question is not “Why Baptize in the Catholic Church vs. the Lutheran church?” Baptism is a lie if not followed up on. The question is what Church to raise the child in. It goes without saying that the parents should be attending Church, for their own sakes, as well as for their children’s.

A Catholic would say that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ and His Apostles. A Lutheran might say that the Catholic Church went afoul and needed to be Re-Formed along new lines.

 

[Padres1969]

The question is not “Why Baptize in the Catholic Church vs. the Lutheran church?” Baptism is a lie if not followed up on. The question is what Church to raise the child in. It goes without saying that the parents should be attending Church, for their own sakes, as well as for their children’s.

A Catholic would say that the Catholic Church is the Church founded by Christ and His Apostles. A Lutheran might say that the Catholic Church went afoul and needed to be Re-Formed along new lines.

That’s a good point. I mean I know the Catholic POV is that if they were married in the Catholic Church and made the requisite pledges that allowed them to do so, that they’re supposed to raise their children Catholic including baptism.

But it would seem to me that if they’re attending Lutheran Church even if irregularly, that it would be better that they’re baptized into a branch of the Christian family they’re likely to at least be irregularly active in, than to be baptized Catholic and then not have that be followed up on at all as Catholicism theologically demands.

 

[phil19034]

I would recommend having your family member watch the new series on Formed.org called “Reborn”

It is on Formed.org, a “Catholic” Netflix. If your parish doesn’t have it, you can subscribe there.

God Bless!

 

[Don_Ruggero]

That’s a good point. I mean I know the Catholic POV is that if they were married in the Catholic Church and made the requisite pledges that allowed them to do so, that they’re supposed to raise their children Catholic including baptism.

But it would seem to me that if they’re attending Lutheran Church even if irregularly, that it would be better that they’re baptized into a branch of the Christian family they’re likely to at least be irregularly active in, than to be baptized Catholic and then not have that be followed up on at all as Catholicism theologically demands.

The previous posters have made excellent points that I really have nothing to comment on.

You, the Original Poster, are correct in what you said: that the Catholic party, before the marriage, would have had to promise to do her best to raise any children as Catholic and that the non-Catholic party was to be informed of that promise. The conclusions you added are also, essentially, correct.

I will add that according to Canon Law, for the baby to be baptised in the Catholic Church, the parish priest must determine that there is a “founded hope” that the child will be raised Catholic. That is, we don’t simply view it as a hallmark moment in life but the start of a life-long relationship.

In other words, as a priest I am not supposed to baptise a baby if I don’t have reason to expect the child will be attending Mass and eventually receiving First Communion and Confirmation. The choice of wording in the canon is very crucial. I do not have to have certitude that the child will be raised in the faith. But founded hope means that there is a rational and reasonable basis to think it likely to happen.

That founded hope could be supplied by the mother or even the non-Catholic father or a grandparent or other person, such as the godfather and/or godmother who will say “Father, I will see to it.” At this last stage, however, it is more at the discretion of the parish priest as to how to proceed.

In the end, however, the parents would need to do the preparation for baptism; depending on where they live, that can mean one or more classes or in some places a meeting with the priest or someone he has delegated.

The decision, then, is not uniquely in the discretion of the parents…as sub-paragraph 2 below indicates. I will be praying for this situation. Perhaps their attendance is more regular than you know. Let us hope.

The relevant canon:

*Can. 868

§1. For an infant to be baptized licitly:

1/ the parents or at least one of them or the person who legitimately takes their place must consent;

2/ there must be a founded hope that the infant will be brought up in the Catholic religion; if such hope is altogether lacking, the baptism is to be delayed according to the prescripts of particular law after the parents have been advised about the reason.*

 

[ahs]

Thanks to everyone for the very informative and helpful posts. I will forward this on.

I think, also, they may not even be aware of the differences between Catholics and Lutherans; or that the differences matter. For that, I’ll see if there is a less dry book on the history. The only history book I have ready so far was really dry and nearly felt like being in college all over again.

I have not checked out the Formed.org yet, but I will, and will pass it on as well.

 

[steido01]

Thanks to everyone for the very informative and helpful posts. I will forward this on.

I think, also, they may not even be aware of the differences between Catholics and Lutherans; or that the differences matter. For that, I’ll see if there is a less dry book on the history. The only history book I have ready so far was really dry and nearly felt like being in college all over again.

I have not checked out the Formed.org yet, but I will, and will pass it on as well.

Regarding the Sacrament of Baptism, there is no difference between Lutheran and Roman Catholic. Both hold Baptism to be the means of Grace by which the Holy Spirit gives new life to a “dead” creation (Rom. 6:4). Both do so in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Both acknowledge the other’s Baptism to be valid, and converts from one to the other need not be “re-baptized.”

This is why even the most old-fashioned Lutheran church bodies are generally accepting of Roman Catholic godparents. Both of my children received Christian Baptism in Lutheran churches, and one had Roman Catholic godparents.

 

[Elizium23]

Regarding the Sacrament of Baptism, there is no difference between Lutheran and Roman Catholic. Both hold Baptism to be the means of Grace by which the Holy Spirit gives new life to a “dead” creation (Rom. 6:4). Both do so in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Both acknowledge the other’s Baptism to be valid, and converts from one to the other need not be “re-baptized.”

This is why even the most old-fashioned Lutheran church bodies are generally accepting of Roman Catholic godparents. Both of my children received Christian Baptism in Lutheran churches, and one had Roman Catholic godparents.

Converts from Lutheranism do need to be received into the Catholic Church. Baptism does not merely have spiritual effects; it also incorporates the person into the Church and makes them subject to rights and responsibilities in law.

It is sad to see Lutheran baptism being contemplated as a “compromise” when parents come to see “no difference” between Catholicism and something else.

 

[steido01]

Converts from Lutheranism do need to be received into the Catholic Church. Baptism does not merely have spiritual effects; it also incorporates the person into the Church and makes them subject to rights and responsibilities in law.

Right. Though reception into the church is a matter of human design (unless you think RCIA is a sacrament?); non-Roman Catholic Christians have already been brought into an [imperfect] union with Rome (and all other Christians) through their Baptism. Baptism is Baptism, whether performed by a Protestant or Catholic, priest or layperson - it is the Holy Spirit and not men who begin this good and holy work.

It is sad to see Lutheran baptism being contemplated as a “compromise” when parents come to see “no difference” between Catholicism and something else.

I know it often can be difficult for those who’ve been gifted with strong faith to see the need for pastoral discretion and exceptions, but for the sake of peace in the home and building faith in the children, it may sometimes be necessary. That is not minimizing the differences, it is acknowledging that mercy is greater than law - especially for poor, miserable sinners who cannot save ourselves and continue to sin by our fault, by our own fault, by our own most grievous fault.

 

[johnnyc176]

I received an email from a family member whose cousin-in-law asked this.

A good recent book is “The Protestant’s Dilemma” by Devin Rose.
There are tons of reference materials on baptism, but I don’t know of a particular book that is specific to it. I’ll see what else I can find out…hence this post].

To answer your thread question…very simple. The Catholic Church is the One True Church founded by Jesus Christ.