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What is in the name?
I am often asked by expectant parents
and grandparents about the Church’s rules regarding names
for newborn babies. Many Catholics today are questioning why
the church is allowing the so called “non-Christian”
names to be used. In order for me to give you the Church’s
stance on this matter, one must go to the Church’s “Canon
Law” for a more definitive answer. In the Canon Law between
1917 to 1983, Canon 761 obliged pastors to require that a Christian
name be given in Baptism. Christian names are those names taken
from Saints or virtues. Today, however, church lay reads differently.
Canon 855 of the church law which is currently in force states:
“Parents, sponsors, and pastors are to see that a name
foreign to a Christian mentality is not given.”
The emphasis has changed, as you can see.
The current law of the church gives latitude to parents regarding
the choice of baptismal names for their children. It also limits
the discretion of the parish priest, except where a name is
clearly opposed to the Christian faith. For example, if a name
were satanic or one that the local culture would consider vulgar
or obscene would not be allowed.
The Church has placed great trust in the
parents’ religious sentiment and good judgement about
bestowing names at baptism. So I encourage you to ask yourselves
these questions:
• What will we be able to say to future
generations about the names they were given?
• What does it say about our faith and
values when the names of cities, liquors, soap opera personalities
and rock stars become the names by which our children are known?
• What does it say about our faith when
the names given to our children no longer speak of a heritage
of holy men and women, but only echo the passing fancies of
our secular culture?
• What does it say about our faith when
how a name sounds is the most important reality?
Parents, the name you give to your child
at baptism is an important responsibility given to you. You
hand on your faith not only by what you say and do, but also
by the way in which you name your children. You have the freedom
to do so much good. The wealth of man and women who have lived
over 4,000 years is open to you. I beg you, don’t sell
your child short because of passing fads. Given them names they
can look to for guidance and inspiration. When the choice is
between Sarah and Sherry, Bridget and Brandy, Kilian or Kilroy,
Tobias or Toby, please your children a name that can inspire
them. There are many books in our Family Life Center library
or you may visit the Daughters of St. Paul downtown to find
books that contain treasures of good, prominent Christian names.
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