Pastoral and Catechetical Primer on the Sacraments

Pastoral and Catechetical Primer on the Sacraments

Article 1 NATURE AND NECESSITY OF BAPTISM

3. What are the Effects of Baptism?

3.1. The journey of faith begins with Baptism: "The 'door of faith' (Acts 14:27) begins with Baptism (Rom. 6:4) and is "the gateway by giving access to the other sacraments" (ccc, 1213)

3.2. Baptism has a twofold effect of spiritual and ecclesial dimensions in our new life: One, Baptism forgives sins, conforms us to Christ and allows us to enter into the suppernatual life of grace in communion with the Holy Trinity. Two, by Baptism we become members of the Body of Christ, Church (ccc, 1213).

3.3. Baptism makes us sharers of the mission of Christ in this world: "As member of the Church, the baptized shares in the threefold mission of Jesus Christ: Priestly, Prophetic and Kingly" (ccc, 783-786).

3.4. Baptism is the SEAL of eternal life: "baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character, Baptism cannot be repeated" (ccc, 1272-1274).

4. WHY IS BAPTISM NECESSARY?

Our Lord himself who affirms the necessity of Baptism for our salvation:

1. John 3:1-5

"NO ONE CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF 90 GOD WITHOUT BEING BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT" (Jn 3:5)

2. Matthew 28:15-16:

"Miduol si Jesus sa napulo'g usa ka tinun- an ug miingon; 'Gihatag Kanako ang tanang gahum sa langit ug sa yuta. Busa panlakaw kamo ngato sa tanang katawhan ug isangyaw ang Maayong Balita. ANG MOTOO UG MAGPABUNYAG MALUWAS, APAN ANG DILI MOTOO PAGASILUTAN."

Article 2 PASTORAL CARE OF THE PARISH PRIEST

1. What is the role of the Parish Priest in Baptism?

1.1 In the Archdiocese of Davao the Following attitudes and responsibilities are deemed important for the sacrament of Baptism:

a.) As parish priest, he exercises pastoral care by being joyful and welcoming to the parents requesting Baptism for their children, and to the adults who wish to be baptized. It is also his pastoral role to facilitate those requesting Baptism in another parish.

b.) The parish priest oversees the interview of parents of infants to be baptized. He also oversees the interviews of candidates for adult Baptism.

c.) He supervises and facilitates the reception of the sacrament of Baptism and oversees the pre- baptismal catechesis.

d.) "All who perform the rite of Baptism should do so with exactness and reverence; they must also try to be understanding and friendly to all."

2. CAN PARISH PRIESTS DENY THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM?

2.1. As a rule, "Baptism should never be refused to a person who asks for it!" "Christ's faithful have the right to be assisted by their pastors from the spiritual riches of the Church, especially by the Word of God and the sacraments" (canon 213)

2.2. Furthermore, Church law states that apriest may not deny Baptism to anyone who appropriately asks for the sacrament, who is properly disposed and who is not prohibited by law (canon 843).

3. CAN A PRIEST PRUDENTLY POSTPONE THE CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM?

3.1. Yes, but in very limited and exceptional circumstances mentioned by canon law pertaining to the lack of well-founded hope for the Catholic upbringing of the child (canon 868 par. 1 no. 2).

3.2. The parish priest himself under these circumstances should explain the reasons for the postponement and work out the timeframe for the soonest celebration of the Baptism.

3.3. However, "if the child is in danger of death, it is to be baptized without delay."

4. WHAT DOES A WELL-FOUNDED HOPE FOR CATHOLIC UPBRINGING MEAN?

By a well-founded hope, we mean an assurance or promise of "an authentic education in the faith and Christian life, in order to fulfill the true meaning of the sacrament, is assured."

5. WHAT IS THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH A WELL-FOUNDED HOPE FOR CATHOLIC UPBRINGING?

5.1. The minimum requirement is established by someone who can provide this assurance of faith, or by the manner this assurance of faith is expressed.

5.2. Those who can give this assurance: Normally, "these assurances are to be given by the parents or close relatives, although various substitutes are possible within the Christian community." the person who takes the place of the parents can also give this assurance (canon 868 par. 1 no. 1).

5.3. Manners of this assurance that are considered sufficient:

a.) The "choice of Godparents who will take sincere care of the child, or the support of the community of the faithful" such as the GKK.

b.) Any pledge expressing a well-founded hope for the Christian upbringing of the child deserves to be considered sufficient.

6. SHOULD WE POSTPONE THE BAPTISM OF A CHILD WHOSE PARENTS LIVE IN AN IRREGULAR MARRIAGE SITUATION?

6.1. NO! These are moral issues; nevertheless they do not deprive the children of their right to receive the sacrament of Baptism.

6.2. Irregular marriage in religious sense and in the civil sense come the following forms: a) trial marriages, b) cohabitation, c)Catholic in civil mariages, d) separated or divorced persons who have not remarried, e) divorced person who have remarried.

6.3. Furthermore, the Church recognizes the primordial right and duty of Christian parents to have their children baptized (canon 774 par. 2). Parents, including the divorced and remarried, have the grave obligation to prepare their children to receive the sacraments of Christian initiation (canon 867 par. 1).

Clearly, the Church considers that the children born of invalid unions are innocent and they have the right to receive the grace that God offers through Baptism.

7. SHOULD THE BAPTISM OF A CHILD OF "MASIBADO" PARENTS BE DELAYED UNTIL PARENTS ARE SACRAMENTALLY MARRIED?

NO! Pastorally priests should tenderly exhort parents who are not yet married to receive the sacrament of Matrimony, only when there is no impediment to it.

Nonetheless, this moral advice must not be made as a condition for the reception of the sacrament of Baptism for their children.

Furthermore, our Magisterium warns, "the refusal of Baptism is not a means of exercising pressure" for forcing anyone to get married or for any other type of coercion.

•THE END!!! 

•DAGHANG SALAMAT!!!