Palm Springs church baptizes same-sex couple’s child

It’s a right of passage of sorts for those who follow the Catholic faith. Baptism is the first step on the path to heaven. But for baby Christian, it didn’t look like that was going to happen.

“I was actually having this conversation with my mom about: How did I feel about my son not having the same experience as my daughters just because he was born into a marriage like ours,” mother Lupita Laredo Perez said.

Christian’s moms, Lupita and Alma Perez, tried to have him baptized at other Roman Catholic parishes but were refused because they are a same-sex couple.

“It actually was kind of hard, because you know not all the churches do this,” Alma Perez said.

Until they found St. Cecilia Catholic Community Church.

“They told me they had had some really uncomfortable experiences with the Roman Catholic Church and they needed to have their son baptized and would we do it. And I said ‘Well of course. Jesus welcomed little children into his arms and cared for them, and that’s what we do here,'” said Father David Justin Lynch the Pastor at Saint Cecilia.

Lynch believes no matter who your parents are, no child should be turned away.

“We’re an inclusive ministry and that’s how church should be. Because the word Catholic means universal and for me that means inclusive,” Father David said.

Christian’s family watched as Lynch baptized him.

Both parents say they’re grateful for the church for accepting them.

“Now I have a lot of faith. They’ve even offered to get us married religiously,” Lupita Perez said.