Q. 1. My friend stopped going to Church when her child was born. She said it is because the baby cries during the service due to hunger. And she does not think that the Church allows mothers to breastfeed their child in Church. What is the Church policy on this matter?

A. 1. There is no rubric or doctrine on this matter. The views of the faithful vary greatly on the subject. During 2014 and 2015, while baptising a large number of newborns, Pope Francis I advised the mothers to feed the crying babies if they were hungry. That seems to be the logical thing to do.

What follows are some opinions regarding breastfeeding in Church. Whatever method is used, it should be done with common sense with the ability to conduct oneself in a graceful manner.

- Nurse the infant during the Holy Mass. You can do so discreetly with an infant blanket.

- If preferred and if such is available, feed the child in the quiet room that is reserved for parents and very young children. This should silent the adults that area easily scandalized by what is natural.

- Feed the child in the back of the Church so it will draw less attention.

- Feed the child in the bathroom. Many parents find the suggestion of taking an infant into the washroom to be repulsive.

Finally, if the parish Pastor complains about crying babies, tell him to get a transfer to a parish where just a handful of seniors attend Church because of priests who are not concerned about saving souls. From the moment that your little ones are born, they have a right, as baptised members of the parish to attend Sunday Mass. Let no bully push them out!