A family member and I got into a huge argument last night. This family member is leaving the Catholic Church and being baptized into the Baptist Church. Normally, I would just be like whatever and put up a token protest. Of course, there is a complication. Namely 3. I am Godmother to this person's children (2 of 3 and would have been to all 3 if the pastoral administrator hadn't gotten creative.) I reminded (as nonconfrontationally as possible...but you've read my blog...) that they and I had gotten up before the Catholic Church and promised to raise these children Catholic. Needless to say, this person took exception to be reminded of the Baptismal promises. This person claimed they never had a choice to be baptized. I accepted that reminded them that they stood up since then 3 times to baptize these children. I got a lot of well the children think Mass is boring. The homilies are boring. There is nothing the Church offers the children like Vacation Bible School and bible study. They aren't learning anything in PSR. I tried to remind them that it is their responsibility as parent to teach. I also reminded them that the world is boring and you'd just better get used to it. What happens when they (they are in 3rd and 1st grade) find school boring? Are you just going to stop going? Oh they love school... I tried to tell her that religion is not a shoe, it is not about a "fit" Then I was reminded of my responsibilities as a godparent and how I've utterly failed. Which I freely admit and accept. I have done a terrible job. But I couldn't just let this go. Needless to say, this has escalated to Facebook, where terribly unChristian things are being said. (I'm thinking this baptism isn't going to stick either).
Needless to say I didn't fall asleep until 5 am because I was so upset and only slept for 2 hours. Two hours of horrible dreams of black tendrils pulling at me, pulling me down. Fell back asleep at 10 for two more hours. I'm totally out of it.
I confess to almighty God
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
I don't think you can say much more than you have already said to encourage your family member to remain in the church. The parent is the primary caregiver and can raise the children in whatever religion s/he wishes. I would certainly keep in contact with the children with birthday and holiday wishes/gifts but I would say no more about the religion issue. It would be easy for the parent to cut you off from contact with the children and I doubt you would want that.
ReplyDeleteAlready done. I realize the parent can raise the children however the want. I'm pointing out that this person has already agreed to raise them Catholic. So what you are saying is that the baptismal promises are meaningless. A hollow faith indeed.
DeleteThe promises are not meaningless and the parent probably meant to follow through and raise the children in the faith at the time of the promise. But the person's faith could have been a very immature one and perhaps, still is. It appears, also, that the parish was not giving the children what they needed in terms of growing in the faith but the parent saw other churches with successful children's faith programs and wanted the children to be part of it. I wouldn't be too hard on the parent. Or yourself.
ReplyDelete