I already lost my religion in June 2007. My Roman Catholic church refused to baptize my baby because she was adopted and the adoption was not finalized. They called the Archdiosese of NY in front of me-as it if made me feel better. They were afraid of getting sued if the birthmother wanted her back. I had papers from my lawyer that stated irrevocable consent had been signed and there was no way we would ever lose custody of our daughter. Her birthmother was Catholic and was happy we were baptizing her. I practically begged-to no avail. The Monsignor told me not to worry, nothing will happen to the baby. I didn't think anything would. My father said they were fishing for a bigger donation. I left the rectory with a deep sense of sadness. Would Jesus have refused to baptize an innocent baby? Why is the baby being punnished-she did nothing wrong. The Catholic church should be more worried about being sued over children being touched and molested by priests! That's the reality!
I was shocked and devastated. I had been attending that church faithfully for 15 years. I contacted the church where I went as a teenager and was married at-they wanted a letter from my parish-so I was back to square one. I contacted another local church that I head baptizes adopted children. They said they would gladly do it. I made the arrangements, did make a donation and was happy to have my daughter baptized at 4 months old instead of a year old, which is how old she would have been had I waited until finalization papers came through. I was so happy. They did not know me from a hole in the wall, I never was a parishioner there, but they were very nice to me. The priest even wore vestments with children on them. It was very important to me that she be baptized at a few months old.
Christmas and Easter have come and gone and I still cannot step foot in my parish. Seeing the Monsignor who refused to baptize her upsets me. My family says I am over reacting. I don't think so. I was was the one who was denied to my face. My dilemma now is what to do? Do I return to my old church and try to get past it? Do I start to attend the church that did baptize my daughter even though it's out of the way? Do I start to research becoming a Protestant?
It's things like this that make Catholics question the church and convert to other religions. People cannot believe it when I tell them they would not baptize her. I have many friends who have had the same problem, while in other parts of NY, adoptive parents can baptize their children whenever they want-even if the adoption is not final.
The Catholic Church needs to be consistent in how they handle baptizing adopted children. For now I have lost my religion and don't know how to find it again. The Pope is coming to my part of NY next week-do I care-NO!
2 comments:
I am in the same situation as you. I attended a catholic church faithfully until I left for college. My mother continued to attend every Sunday. Fast forward a few years, married and I have a son. When we received the devastating news that he had cancer my mom went to the priest to ask him to visit us at the hospital in our time of need and he declined! I have not been able to attend as long as he is there. He was even arrested and has returned to the parish. We have been attending another church and they have been so welcoming and family oriented. We have not joined yet. That is where I am having a hard time. Mass is very different from Catholic mass and I am struggling to decide if this is where we belong. I will probably stay with this church because of the family involvement. My son loves to go and that is what is important. I keep telling myself that the message is the same and the important thing is that we are going as a a family.
Joanne...We had problems with the RCC a few years ago. Jeff was raised catholic and married me in the Epsiple (sorry about spelling!) Church and when it cam time to be godfather to his sisters son...the RCC would not let him because he was married outside the catholic church! I pleaded with the church, their only soulition to this was for us to be remarried in the RCC!!! We said we would not! We attend a wonderful chuch...check it out... www.thechapel.com Many RCC goer's are now members. Mayu be there is a church around your area like this one! Email me if you have questions! Love Ya
Post a Comment