Step Children haven't been baptized
I have 2 step children and neither have been baptized. The oldest is an adult and the youngest is still a teen ager. As parents, it is our responsibility to baptize our children and raise them in the Catholic Church.
Even though I am not a biological parent, I feel responsible for them. I know that their mother would never allow her children to become Catholic and, quite frankly, my husband is very lacking in faith and doesn't seem to be terribly upset at the fact that 2 of his children do not have God's grace!
Our children have been baptized, attend Mass, attend Catholic school, etc.. I feel like I will be held accountable if their souls are lost.
What should a step parent do in a situation like this?
Thank you and God bless.
QUESTION from Jamie on May 6, 2004
ANSWER by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM on May 10, 2004
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Dear Jamie: Well the adult child is responsible for himself. What you can do it to encourage the adult child to be baptized and enter the Church. The decision, however, will be his and he will be responsible for that decision. Your parental duty is satisfied by your encouragement. The teenager is in much the same situation. As a teen he will either cooperate or not. It is really his decision. If the teenager wants to be baptized, then talk to your husband to see if he will allow it, and then talk to the parish priest to see if it can be done. The main thing you can do is to pray, pray, and pray some more. Never stop praying for those children.
God Bless, |