Bishop cautions parents on giving unique names to children

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines  – If you’re of giving your child an unusual one-of-a-kind name, think again.

Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas recently reminded parents “not to give their children names that are not included in the Christian martyrology and to refrain from choosing unique names, even if these are in fashion.”

“Every baptized person acquires the character of ‘child’ starting with their Christian name, an unmistakable sign that the Holy Spirit gives birth ‘anew’ to the infant from the womb of the Church,” Villegas said in his circular letter dated Feb. 14, echoing a reminder from Pope Benedict XVI.

He said baptism is the door that opens Christian life, consequently paving the way for the other sacraments of the Church.

“We have sadly noticed a reduction in the proper understanding of this very important sacrament,” Villegas said.

Aside from the matter of giving names, Villegas also stressed that baptism of infants must be scheduled a few weeks but not later than three months after birth.

“Ideally, as soon as the mother has recovered her strength after the child’s delivery, the baby must be rushed to the Church for baptism,” he said.

“Secondly, we must bring back the primacy of baptism as a spiritual birth of a child into the family of God. It must not be reduced to a mere social event necessitating a party or banquet,” he added.

Villegas likewise said the proper color for baptism is white. He advised parents and godparents to be dressed in white in order to signify the cleansing from original sin that they seek for the infant in their arms.

Villegas required priests to have these instructions on baptism contained in his circular letter to be read after the post communion prayer during all the Masses for the First Sunday of Lent this year.