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Susan E. wrote:

Hello,

My granddaughter was born out of wedlock more than two years ago to my son and his, then girlfriend. They have since broken up but my son has joint custody. He lives in my home so his daughter is here every other week.

Neither my son or the child's mother has taken any steps to get my granddaughter baptized. Neither of them practices the faith. I, however, want to get her baptized.

  • Is there any way I can do this without their permission?

I would make sure she attends Mass at least every other week when she is with me and I am fairly certain her relatives, on her mother's side, would do the same.

All I want to know is if I can get her baptized.

Thank you,

Susan

  { Can a Grandmother get her granddaughter baptized without the parent's permission? }

Eric replied:

Hi Susan,

No. Baptism requires that there be a well-founded hope that the child be raised Catholic.

This is not the case in this situation.

  • Pray for her
  • Entrust her to the Mercy of God, and
  • when she is of age, witness to her about the faith.

That's all you can do besides witnessing to your daughter and convincing her to return to the faith and getting her child baptized.

Eric

Mary Ann replied:

Susan,

In addition to what Eric has said, your son could give permission for her to be baptized, and promise that he and you would raise her as a Catholic.

He does have equal custody so he has the right to make decisions about her religion. Even if he is not Catholic, he can consent to her being baptized. Just because she would spend half her time at her mother's doesn't mean she can't be Catholic, with her Dad's approval and your help.

Mary Ann

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