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Let a Child Decide About Baptism?

Question:

What do I say to parents who tell me they will let their child decide on baptism?

Answer:

It seems that the parents need instruction in the faith, or that their own faith is not strong. You should encourage them to go to Mass each Sunday and pray with the child at home, even if they are not having the child baptized. How will the child decide if he or she has never been taught anything about the Faith at all? This is just a recipe for having no religion and being ignorant, and ignorance is not a good way to prepare to make such an important decision.

I doubt, however, that these parents know very much about the Faith. Encourage them cheerfully and maybe they will come around.

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