Why baptise my children in a Catholic church?

Question

My in-laws are Catholic and i'm not they want me to baptise my kids in their church But whenever i've gone to a catholic baptism they celebrate after with a party and drinking alcohol. I thought a baptism was supposed to be something holy. I don't really understand

Answer 1

+ Infant Baptism +

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "Born with a fallen human nature and tainted by original sin, children also have need of the new birth in Baptism to be freed from the power of darkness and brought into the realm of the freedom of the children of God, to which all men are called."

Infant baptism is not a new thing. There are non-biblical documented sources starting in the second century telling of infant Baptism.

There are even several passages in the Bible where whole households were baptized. This would include everyone who lived there, men, women, children, and infants.

Acts 16:15, "After she and her household had been baptized"

Acts 16:33, "then he and all his family were baptized at once."

Acts 18:8, "came to believe in the Lord along with his entire household, and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized."

1 Corinthians 1:16, "I baptized the household of Stephanas"

St. Paul wrote that baptism has replaced circumcision (Col 2:11-12), and in Judaism circumcision was performed primarily on infants.

By the way, infant baptism is also practiced by the majority of Protestants in the world, including Lutherans, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Methodists, and others.

For more information, see Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1250: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#1250

+ Alcohol +

Jesus told them, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, "Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter." So they took it. And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, ... (John 2:7-9)

Wine is used throughout both the Old and New Testaments. The first recorded miracle of Jesus was to turn water in wine at the wedding in Cana.

It is true that we should not become drunk but used in moderation, wine is a biblically acceptable beverage.

Go, eat your bread with joy and drink your wine with a merry heart, because it is now that God favors your works. (Ecclesiastes 9:7)

What would Jesus do? Jesus had a cup of wine with dinner.

If some people wish to totally forego alcohol to eliminate the temptation to over indulge, that's fine. But I don't think they should force that unbiblical practice onto others.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I'm assuming your husband is Catholic ... so, this is a marital issue that you will want to work out together. If this is the case, then at your Catholic Wedding, you took vows to raise your child Catholic. If you didn't take these vows ...well, as the Mother and Spouse of your husband, you trump everyone.

A Catholic Baptism is in the Church, and allows religious traditions to occur: Biblical Readings, Eucharist, and other Mass stuff. IMO, the Baptism Mass's are the best of the best. I usually go to the Easter Vigil where they have all the Adult Baptisms for the year. The New Catholics always have that special "glow" to them.

You're in control of the "After Party". It is your right to say, "No alcohal" or "Skip the party altogether." (Regardless of where you have the Baptism)

Answer 3

A Baptism IS holy. It is also a cause for a celebration because the child is now an adopted son or daughter of God the Father, a new member of the Church, the Body of Christ, has been born again, is united with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and has received gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is a very joyous occassion and with some families celebrations include a party and drinking.

Answer 4

Sounds like a good Irish Catholic family and/or parish.

You sound like a baptist.

There's nothing wrong with alchohol in moderation, and it has nothing to do with baptism.

Baptism with water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, is sufficient for anyone, in any Christian church or denomination.

It's what happens afterwards that counts.

Answer 5

Your in laws should have nothing to do with this decision. The decision to raise your children within a certain faith is up to you and your partner. Make sure to discuss your feelings with your partner so they can back you up when dealing with the in laws. If you two do not want to raise your children Catholic or are not comfortable with a Catholic baptism, don't hold one and explain to your in laws both why not and why it is none of their business.

Answer 6

>>I thought a baptism was supposed to be something holy.<<

Yes, it is holy and worthy of celebration, like a wedding. You know, like the wedding in Cana where Jesus turned water into wine. If it is good enough for Jesus, it should be good enough for you.

Answer 7

Talk with other parishes. Some require you to do the baptism in a group with other babies, some smaller parishes hold small services just for your child, sort of a private service. Some WILL allow you to baptize on other days of the week as well. Just check around.

Answer 8

I'm not Catholic so I'm not positive, but I think Catholics believe that you have to be baptized in order to go to heaven so this is the reason that they do it in infancy. If you are married to a Catholic just ask him.

Answer 9

Much of my family (including in-laws) are Catholics, so I can say this...

Get used to it. Everything requires drinking to them. Weddings, baptisms, even funerals. You don't know how drunk everyone got after my grandfather's funeral...

Answer 10

Baptize them in some church so that the gate to the kingdom of God may be opened unto them.