Posted on 11/10/2013 4:46:26 PM PST by ebb tide
My novus ordo parish church demands parental education for the baptism of every single child a couple has, even if they and their children are at Mass every Sunday. The classes are taught by ignorant lay people, the classes are few and far between, and they have delayed infant baptism by as much as three months. In my opinion, it’s a moral crime to delay infant baptism for so long.
“everything allowed, everything “on demand” like an entitlement or a public utility, nothing required”
Correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t we entitled to the Sacraments, bars thereto aside.
“We need to keep in mind that what is important about the Mass is not the infidelity of men but the fidelity of God, who makes the Mass valid not by our virtue, but by His promise.”
That’s great. Is it original?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3089784/posts?page=61#61
If so, it does seem to be an imposition and a maddening aggravation. And if it gets on to long delays like 3 months, that's a real offense against the sacrament.
I'm thinking if my husband and I were in that situation, the best tactic might be to go to one of these classes sometime during the course of the pregnancy (you do have a nine-month window of opportunity there) so the baby could still be baptized within days of birth.
And use the class to raise your hand, make additions or corrections to the ignorant catechist's presentation, and use the whole thing as a grand opportunity to do a little remedial catechesis.
If you do it assertively enough, they may waive the requirement that you come back for Babies #2, 3, and 4!
“You might wonder why I’m going after this “gay” detour, but it’s relevant for this reason: people are increasingly splitting off the Sacrament of Baptism from the Church, and using it as yet another way to celebrate “themselves”.
That is a significant problem.
As for answers to these issues, I have few, and doubt those.
Yes, generally; but you are not allowed to baptize an infant if the parents or guardians are not going to raise him as a Catholic Christian; and especially if the parents or guardians are using this as a political statement. There has to be correct intent. That's why the Archbishop in Minneapolis won't distribute Holy Communion to those people with the Rainbow Sashes.
I'd love to invite a Canon Lawyer into this discussion to clarify things, because my knowledge is admittedly scanty. Any Canon Lawyers here? Arthur, would you serve? (You'll have to go back a couple of posts to get context.)
This complaint always amuses me.
The Catholic Church, the one that exercises iron control over the minds of its least member, the Church with a Pope who issues orders every morning telling all his minions what to do, how to vote, etc., etc.
You mean, you mean...If you miss Mass on Sunday, nobody makes harassing phone calls, nobody pickets your house...???
Of all the lame excuses to abandon the Sacraments...
“There has to be correct intent.”
There is.
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