I have two
grandchildren who are not baptized. Their father
refuses to allow it. One of them is sick and will
soon die. I am sad and would like him to become God’s
child through baptism. What can I do? I am so
unhappy. ***
Baptism, necessary for salvation, is the sign and the
instrument of God who frees us from original sin and
allows us participate fully in divine love. Let’s hope that the children’s father will soon allow them to be baptized. If a child is critically ill, you or somebody else does not need permission to baptize him. It is stated in the Code of Canon Law: “If the infant is in danger of death, it is to be baptized without any delay” (Can. 867, 2). “An infant of catholic parents, indeed even of non-catholic parents, may in danger of death be baptized even if the parents are opposed to it” (Can. 868, 2). The immediate baptism of a child is prescribed by the Church, since she doesn’t know of other means to ensure children will enter into eternal bliss (Pastoralis actio, No 13). “Baptism… is necessary for salvation, either by actual reception or at least by desire… It is validly conferred only by a washing in real water with the proper form of words” (Can. 849). You only have to pour water on the forehead while you say: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. If you do baptize this child who is seriously ill, make sure you tell your parish priest of your actions. As for your other grandchild who is in good health, you are bound to wait for the consent of the parents, of at least one of them, according to the Church’s legislation: “For an infant to be baptized lawfully it is required: that the parents, or at least one of them, or the person who lawfully holds their place, give their consent; that there be a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the Catholic religion...” (Can. 868). |