Sir, – Séamas Ó Ceallaigh has a garbled understanding of the theology of baptism (December 7th).
It may not be entirely his fault, as any Catholic priest who would say at a funeral that “the deceased is in heaven because she had been baptised into the Catholic Church” shows himself to be theologically ignorant and in doctrinal error.
The funeral Mass is a plea for the mercy of God for the deceased. It asks God to “forgive any sins he or she may have committed through human weakness”.
The funeral liturgy is full of hope for the deceased and comfort for the mourners. It seeks the forgiveness of the Lord, who is infinitely merciful and loving. This infinite mercy is lavished, not just on Catholics, but on all people of goodwill at the end of their lives.
Mr Ó Ceallaigh’s assertion that only adults were baptised in the early church is false. Entire households are reported to have been baptised in the Acts of the Apostles. Households include infants. Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me and forbid then not”.
Baptised infants are immersed in a community of faith, hope and love. The majority of the church’s canonised saints loved God since their early childhood, being nurtured in an atmosphere of love for God and neighbour, growing towards heroic virtue.
Mr Ó Ceallaigh alleges that “only one time in the entire Bible is the question asked, “What must I do to be saved?”, with the answer given, “believe in Jesus”, with “no mention” of baptism or joining a church”. He is wrong.
The Lord was asked several times in the Gospels, “Master, what must I do to be saved?” The Lord says, “keep the commandments”. In Mark 16:16, Jesus declares, “whoever believes and is baptised will be saved”. Throughout the New Testament, the rule of thumb is profession of faith along with baptism.
Psalm 8 makes it clear that “out of the mouths of babes and infants, you brought forth praise, O Lord, to confound your enemies”. The formation of such children, for their growth into faith-filled adults, will ever be the goal of Catholic education. – Yours, etc,
Fr PATRICK
McCAFFERTY,
Crossgar, Co Down.