Wednesday, 20 February 2008

common children



Common Children

+ Posted by John R.P. Russell at 6:35 PM

"All things are common among us, except our wives."

+Tertullian (c. 197, Western).

I find it meaningful that Tertullian makes only one exception to the

communal rule. Wives and, by implication, husbands are not held in

common, but all else is. All, including our children, are held in

common.

This is well reflected today in the tradition of godparents. Our

children belong to the Church, even if we die. The godparents

represent the common parentage of the Church and ensure that a

baptized child will be raised in the faith. They are also to assist in


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