[chadwimc]

God had given men and women free will to choose whether “spontaneously to accept salvation . . . the Christian faith is not imposed on anyone, it is a gift, an offer to mankind”.

How does the pope reconcile this teaching with infant baptism?

[RoadTest]

""God had given men and women free will to choose whether “spontaneously to accept salvation . . . the Christian faith is not imposed on anyone, it is a gift, an offer to mankind”.

How does the pope reconcile this teaching with infant baptism?""

Good question.

[twonie]

I don't know about the pope, but I believe that infant fant "baptism" in the Baptist Church is referred to as the dedication of a child and that baptism is done later at the behest of the baptizee.

[Joe 6-pack]

"How does the pope reconcile this teaching with infant baptism?"

Baptism is a dedication of the newcomer to the faith, typically by parents. Confirmation is the sacrament that allows a young adult to affirm, or exercise their free will in choosing a life dedicated to the faith. In the case of an adult convert, confirmation typically follows baptism immediately.

[beancounter13]

Infant baptism does not "impose the gift of salvation upon the child" --it merely provides spiritual nourishment to newborn. Parents are expected to feed, clothe, and care for their children, and that includes caring for their spiritual wellbeing.

The child can only "choose" Christ when he or she obtains the age of reason --around age 7 when First Communion is offered.

[DreamsofPolycarp]

How does the pope reconcile this teaching with infant baptism?

It is completely irrelevant. "Free Will" in contemporary Catholic teaching is just Pelagianism, anyway and denies the biblical teaching on the depravity of man.

[Mom MD]

Infant baptism is an act of obedience. You see in the NT the apostles baptized the entire household of newly converted believers.

Infant baptism does not confer salvation. I believe the verse says BELIEVE and be baptized. Nor do babies that are not baptized go to hell if they die. There are a lot of misnomers about infant baptism, and I realize I am likely to need my asbestos underwear. My children were all baptized as infants and confirmed as teenagers. And no, I am not Catholic.

[pke]

I don't know about you but I want my children washed in the blood of the Lamb ASAP.

[Aquinasfan]

God had given men and women free will to choose whether “spontaneously to accept salvation . . . the Christian faith is not imposed on anyone, it is a gift, an offer to mankind”. How does the pope reconcile this teaching with infant baptism?

Salvation is gratuitous for both infants and adults. (Nevertheless, it is a gift that can also be rejected at any time).

[Tokra]

How does the pope reconcile this teaching with infant baptism?

Easily - being baptised as an infant does not guarantee entrance to heaven (unless the infant dies while still an infant - hence the reason for infant baptism)

The Church teaches that you must be baptised in order to go to heaven. That does NOT mean that baptism guarantees entrance to heaven.

If you must be baptised to enter heaven and you wait until the person is older to baptise them - what happens to the person who dies as an infant if they have not been baptised?

That is why the Church baptises babies.