For several years now, there has been more and more talk about the crisis in the Catholic Church. It is also visible in baptism statistics. The statistical yearbook of the Polish Church shows that the fewest baptisms were carried out in 2022 since data collection began. There were just over 300,000 of them. What is noticeable is the small number of baptisms in the Warsaw diocese (less than 12,000) and in the Warsaw-Praga diocese (less than 10,000). Why do young parents decide to take this step less and less often? Several people living in the capital shared with us their thoughts on this subject.
She did not baptize her children, but she does not intend to discourage them from religion
Ania is the mother of four-year-old Zosia and two-year-old Staś. Interestingly, she and her husband form a mixed marriage. She is Orthodox and he is Catholic. Even though they are believers, they do not practice. Therefore, they decided to refrain from baptizing their children. – In recent years, there has been so much talk that we should make this decision as adults. I think this is the right approach. If I had a choice, I would probably choose a religion other than Orthodoxy. But when I was a baby, no one asked me for my opinion. As an adult, I feel that I am much closer to Protestantism, he reveals. – I will not discourage my children from religion. However, I do not intend to impose a specific religion on them, he adds.
She was told that she was depriving the child of a chance for salvation
In turn, Ewa, who is currently pregnant, declares herself an atheist. Therefore he will not baptize the child. Her partner has no problem with it. He himself, although he is a believer, has not been in the Church for years. The biggest problem with this decision is the future grandparents, i.e. her parents. – Mom and dad are very religious and connected with the Church. The vision of not being baptized terrifies them. Especially since this will be their first grandchild. I was even told that I was depriving my child of a chance for salvation. I really regret that we have to argue about such things, says Ewa. – I can imagine that my parents will baptize their grandson secretly from me. They are really capable of it, our interlocutor adds.
Eve will not baptize her child. ‘I won’t be surprised if my grandparents do it secretly from me’ Baptism Photo Katrinphoto / Shutterstock.com
“Priests support one ideological option”
Tomek, who is the father of two preschool-age daughters, also decided not to have them baptized. As he admits, he does not want to have anything to do with the institution of the Church. Therefore, even though he is a believer, he gave up this sacrament. – It’s not even about the fact that this baptism is at such an early stage of life. You can assume that this is tradition and not discuss it. However, in recent years I have become very discouraged with the Polish Church. Priests support one ideological option that I don’t agree with at all. Already 10 years ago, when I attended mass regularly, I felt like a black sheep in this environment. Now it’s even worse, he says. – So I gave up all ties with this institution. I don’t have the strength for it, he sums up.
Source: Gazeta
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