St. Thomas

Question:: My grandchildren haven’t been baptized. Can I bring them to church and have them baptized?
Answer:   : The answer is probably no. We deal with the parents or legal guardians of a child to plan Sacraments. Since these are the people who will be training the child in the ways of the faith, it’s critical for the custodian of the child to be the one who desires baptism. If those people do not value the sacrament, they will not teach the child to do so either. Baptism may make an indelible mark on the soul, but without being taught how to live as a Catholic, it’s a tough course. If the parents of the child were divorced or not together, then the parent with custody makes choices. In cases of joint custody, we need both parents to agree. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles do not have a say in the matter. The exception to this would be if you should have legal custody of your grandchildren. In that case, you would be the person raising the child and the one who makes the choices about how he or she is raised. In that case, and only then, do you have the right to have your grandchild baptized. If you do not have custody of a grandchild, all you can do is to encourage your child to come to Church and see about the sacraments. Always remember that an invitation is much more welcoming than a command or condemnation.