Author Topic: How long can parents delay infant baptism without sin? (Read 1440 times)

Matthew · « **on:** July 11, 2010, 11:57:18 PM »

I can't seem to find the regulation --

I just found out that an old friend of mine -- a traditional Catholic -- is having his 3 1/2 month old baby baptized a week from now!

I do know that he was/is very pious, but also that he isn't a theologian and he is probably being influenced by the Novus Ordo/indult influences around him.

3 1/2 months seems like a very long time to delay baptism -- He had baptism invitation cards printed up! I never heard of those -- let's see, most trad Catholics can't get such invitations printed out in the FEW DAYS that elapse between the birth and the baptism.

Maybe he baptized the baby himself, and is having the priest just do the ceremony this late. But would that even be permitted?

Anyhow, I'd still like to know the Church's exact regulation, if anyone knows it off the top of their head.

Matthew

SJB · « **Reply #1 on:** July 12, 2010, 06:57:46 AM »

Here is a Holy Office warning issued in 1958 and it refers to Canon 770, 1917 CIC:

Quote from: Canon Law Digest, Bouscaren

Prompt Baptism of Infants Urged (Holy Office, Monitum, 18 February, 1958) AAS 50-114

A warning (Monitum) of the Holy Office:

In certain places the practice has grown of postponing the conferring of baptism for mistaken reasons of convenience or of a liturgigal character. Such postponement draws support from certain opinions, devoid however of any solid foundation, regarding the eternal destiny of infants who die without baptism.

Accordingly this Supreme Sacred Congregation, with the approval of the Supreme Pontiff, warns the faithful that infants are to be baptised as soon as possible, according to the prescription of Canon 770. Pastors and preachers are exhorted to urge the fulfilment of this obligation.

Given at Rome from the Holy Office, the 18th of February, 1958.

Quote from: Matthew

Maybe he baptized the baby himself, and is having the priest just do the ceremony this late. But would that even be permitted?

As I understand it, unless there was a danger of death, this would be illicit.

SJB · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:04:00 AM »

A Commentary and Summary of the
New Code of Canon Law, Woywod:

Time and Place of Baptism.

613. Infants should be baptized as soon as possible. Pastors and preachers should often remind the faithful of this grave obligation. (Canon 770.)

Patman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2010, 05:42:33 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

I do know that he was/is very pious, but also that he isn't a theologian and he is probably being influenced by the Novus Ordo/indult influences around him.

The very key to the problem, I think. What is the name of his parish priest?

Patman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2010, 06:08:09 PM »

Quote from: SJB

A Commentary and Summary of the
New Code of Canon Law, Woywod:

Time and Place of Baptism.

613. Infants should be baptized as soon as possible. Pastors and preachers should often remind the faithful of this grave obligation. (Canon 770.)

Indeed, grave.

John Steven · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2010, 08:46:43 PM »

An examination of conscience book I have says that a delay of of about two weeks is a mortal sin.

I know that our pastor severely reprimanded my wife and for not bringing our baby who was born on a Tuesday the following Sunday for Baptism, reminding us that the Archbishop's mother would not even kiss her babies until they were baptized. We arranged to have the baptism the very next day by a visiting priest who happened to be on vacation and visiting family.

SJB · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2010, 06:56:27 AM »

The Church does not specify a length of time because this is a moral judgment. "As soon as possible" means exactly that; as soon as possible. Two weeks might be too long in many instances.

I know that a relative of mine waited 2 months so his friend who had a baby born at the same time could be present for a joint "baptismal party" after the ceremony. This is exactly what the Holy Office was warning about in 1958.