Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, though an infant is capable of dying and so needs Baptism based on Jesus’ requirement in Jn 3:5 (i.e ‘No PERSON can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of WATER and the SPIRIT’); but it is also important to point out that an infant is not yet up to the use of reason. Why then does the Church administer the Sacrament of Baptism when the infant cannot understand it?
Well, the Church also puts that into consideration and that is one of the reasons the Church is regarded as a RESPONSIBLE Mother and Teacher. To make up for the above seeming lack, the Church insists that the PARENTS and GODPARENTS should be part of the whole rite of the Infant Baptism. Though it is based on the FAITH of the Church that the infant is baptized, yet, the faith of the parents and godparents are also very necessary because the Church, after the baptism, entrusts the infant to their watchful care; to ensure that they nurture the required faith in the infant. Thus, the Church teaches:
“For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the PARENTS’ help is important. So too is the role of the GODFATHER and GODMOTHER, who must be FIRM BELIEVERS, able and ready to help the newly baptized – CHILD or adult on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function…” (cf. CCC, n. 1255).
But are all the parents and godparents fulfilling the above? I really doubt.
Granted that some parents and godparents are fulfilling their responsibility of nurturing the faith of the infant entrusted to them at Baptism, a good number are not measuring up. Part of the reasons could be IGNORANCE of their responsibility. This is the reason the Church insists that parents and godparents be prepared (Catechized/instructed) before the Baptism is administered (cf. Can. 851). Unfortunately, some MINISTERS do not take seriously the above demand from the Church for the adequate preparation of the parents and godparents. That is the major cause of the problems that face us today – poorly brought up children.
Remain blessed🙏🏼
