The Patrick Madrid Show "I Secretly Baptized My Niece and Nephew: Now What?" (Special Podcast Highlight)
Okay, this was an important one on The Patrick Madrid Show. Molly from Tampa called in with an admission: she secretly baptized her niece and nephew because their parents weren’t raising them Catholic. Now she’s wondering: Does she need to go to confession?
Let’s unpack it.
Right Intentions, Wrong Move
Patrick immediately reassured Molly that her heart was in the right place. She wanted her niece and nephew to receive the grace of baptism, which is huge. After all, baptism:
-Washes away original sin
-Makes us part of Christ’s Church
-Gives us rights to the other sacraments
But, and it’s a big BUT: She shouldn’t have done it.
Why Not?
-It went against the parents’ wishes. Parents have the God-given right to raise their kids in the faith (or sadly, not).
-It put the kids in a tricky spot. They’re now baptized Catholics but won’t be raised in the Church, won’t receive the sacraments, and won’t have any record of their baptism.
-Future complications. If they later want to become Catholic or even marry a Catholic, their missing baptismal record will cause issues.
What’s Next? Damage Control.
So, what should Molly do now? Patrick laid out a game plan:
Step 1: Go to Confession.
She should bring this to a priest: not because she was being malicious, but because it wasn't her duty. Jesus knows her heart, and confession will bring peace.
Step 2: Talk to a Priest About Documentation.
She needs to speak with her parish priest and explain exactly how she performed the baptism. If it was valid (water + the correct words), the priest might record it in the Church so there’s a record if the kids ever need it.
When Is a Secret Baptism Okay?
Patrick did say there’s one exception: If these kids were in immediate danger of death, she would have been totally right to baptize them, no questions asked. In extreme situations (think: war zones, life-threatening illness), baptism is an emergency action. But in ordinary circumstances? It’s not our call.
Final Thoughts: Trust in God’s Timing
If you’re ever tempted to do a secret sacrament… don’t. (Unless it’s life or death.) Instead, pray for the kids, be a strong Catholic witness, and trust that God’s got this.