A Question about Catholic Baptism

[GoneAstray]

If a priest performs a baptism on an infant, is there ever any reason it would not be valid? The explanation for asking this question is just really long. This would apply to the early 1950’s, not now. I am assuming that if a priest agrees to baptize a baby then all is okay.

 

[1ke]

A defect in the form or matter would render a sacrament invalid. There are some other things that can render a sacrament invalid-- priest could exclude the intention to perform the sacrament, could lack faculties, or there could be another canon or divine law impediment.

Without details it is difficult to say much more than that. If this is a real situation where baptism is in doubt, the person should approach his pastor and discuss the situation. A conditional baptism can be performed if necessary.

 

[FrDavid96]

If a priest performs a baptism on an infant, is there ever any reason it would not be valid? The explanation for asking this question is just really long. This would apply to the early 1950’s, not now. I am assuming that if a priest agrees to baptize a baby then all is okay.

By definition, if the baptism was performed, then it was valid.

On the other hand if a priest did somehow simulate performing a baptism without actually performing one, then it would not be valid. For example, if a priest used some clear liquid (that would not harm the baby, of course!) instead of water then there was no baptism and the situation was not valid.

If the baby was already baptised, then it was not a valid baptism, since baptism cannot be repeated.

 

[peter26]

1. Flowing water must be used.
2. The baptism must me in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
3. The priest must intend to perform a baptism as the church understands the sacrament.

A priest does not need particular faculties to baptise. A deacon can also baptise. Even a layman in an emergency.

 

[GoneAstray]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have a certificate of baptism dated 1959. There are Godparents and it is from the church’s records. I thought it almost had to be valid despite my parents not being married because it was performed according to Church law as far as I know. I was only 9 months old and it’s not something I can ask my mother about. What concerned me was if it wasn’t valid then any sacrament after that wouldn’t be either. At least that is the way I would understand it. I am not well versed on Church law. And especially not back in the 1950’s.

 

[1ke]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have a certificate of baptism dated 1959. There are Godparents and it is from the church’s records. I thought it almost had to be valid despite my parents not being married because it was performed according to Church law as far as I know. I was only 9 months old and it’s not something I can ask my mother about. What concerned me was if it wasn’t valid then any sacrament after that wouldn’t be either. At least that is the way I would understand it. I am not well versed on Church law. And especially not back in the 1950’s.

Your parents’ marital status has no bearing on the validity of your baptism.

 

[Bonnie]

A cousin of mine was baptised in the Catholic Church because a friend of my aunt’s was concerned about what would happen to him if they had a car accident on a planned trip. My aunt wasn’t even a Christian - but the baptism was valid. It really smoothed the way for my cousin when he fell in love with a Catholic.

 

[HelenRose]

1. Flowing water must be used.
2. The baptism must me in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
3. The priest must intend to perform a baptism as the church understands the sacrament.

A priest does not need particular faculties to baptise. A deacon can also baptise. Even a layman in an emergency.

My mother, who was not a catholic at that time, but was a nurse, baptized a dying baby because she knew that the parents were Catholic and wanted the baby baptized. There was a possibility that a priest could not be at the hospital before the baby died. She knew the proper form but she did not say anything. When the priest did arrive he formally baptized the baby. Her concern was only for the grieving parents and did not want to draw attention to herself.