Baptism for brain damaged newborn

[quiet52]

Please tell your daughter that in the case of an emergency Baptism, your grandchild can still participate in the scheduled Baptism rite by being anointed with chrism and given the white garment and the baptismal candle.

[superamazingman]

I would also be very tempted to baptize him in secret. It sounds as if he may be quite close to death, but even if he's not, he still needs to be baptized.

It's about the sacramental reality, not the party and pictures.

[triumphguy]

Originally Posted by superamazingman

I would also be very tempted to baptize him in secret. It sounds as if he may be quite close to death, but even if he's not, he still needs to be baptized.

It's about the sacramental reality, not the party and pictures.

You miss the point entirely.

Of course it's not about the party and the pictures. Do you really think a mother of a brain damaged child gives a hoot about the party and the pictures? Seriously - think about it for a second.

It's about hope and belief that the baby will survive. It's about not giving up.

[Deo Gratias42]

Originally Posted by JD27076

This is very unorthodox, and maybe a sin.

My priest made an announcement about this one Sunday when he noticed there were a lot of "very pregnant" women in the parish, but none of them had contacted him about baptism. He reminded them of their grave responsibility to have their babies baptized within less than a month.

My moral theology book confirms this as being mortally sinful, and this is just regular baptism without danger of death.

It sounds to me like the pastor needs to get involved.

[Deo Gratias42]

Originally Posted by triumphguy

It's about hope and belief that the baby will survive. It's about not giving up.

Or she's in denial of the severity of her child's condition.

[triumphguy]

Originally Posted by Deo Gratias42

Or she's in denial of the severity of her child's condition.

Faced with the seriousness of the child's condition I doubt it.

[Deo Gratias42]

Originally Posted by triumphguy

Faced with the seriousness of the child's condition I doubt it.

I don't. It could be a post-partum issue too.

[triumphguy]

Whatever. It's all speculation and so not fruitful.

Let's just pray for he family and the baby.

[PJM]

=returninglamb;9554510]My daughter and son-in-law had a beautiful baby boy in June. Unfortunately, he was born with severe damage to his cortex, which affects his breathing, and he suffers non-stop seizures. Although the medications keep the seizures from manifesting physically, they are still occuring; his skull and brain are not growing and he's in constant danger of apnea.

My daughter plans on baptizing him in late September, after my other daughter has her baby, so they can have a joint baptism. When I asked her to have him baptized by the hospital chaplain when he was in intensive care, she was adamant that she wants to wait until September. The problem is, although he's now home, the poor baby is really not doing well and I'm very worried that he won't make it to the baptism. I don't think my daughter is thinking clearly about this, but she's very stubborn and if I push the issue, she'll just dig in her heels.

I'll be visiting them in three weeks (I live 8 hours away). Should I baptize him when I'm there? It would mean going against my daughter's wishes, but there's a soul at stake. What if I have the chance and don't take it and the baby dies without baptism? Should I do it anyway, since they are planning to raise him as a Catholic?

CONTACT HER PARISH PRIEST AND ASK HIM TO INTERVENE. THE SALVATION ASSURENCE REQUIRES BAPTISM [JOHN3:5]

IF SHE WANT TO BE ASSURED THAT HER SON GETS TO HEAVEN [ASSUMING A SOON PENDING DEATH OR PRE-AGE OF REASON DEATH] BAPTISM MUST BE RECEIVED. THAT INFANT NEED NOT BE AWARE OF IT AS THE PARENTS CAN AND DO STAND IN FOR THERE CHILD.

I'll pray for all of you,
God Bless; ACT QUICKLY!

pat/PJM