Baptism by lay or non-Christian

[sfp]

1. May someone by baptized by another Christian who is not of holy orders?
2. For that matter, if he/she is baptized by “anyone” in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit (regardless of that person’s faith), then is the baptism “valid?”

Example 2a:
A “believer” truly wants to be Baptized on a desert island, but no-one is there, except a non-believer, yet because it seems to mean so much to the believer, the non-believer doesn’t mind “baptizing” him at his request.

Is the Baptism “valid?”

Example 2b:
Same scenario as above, but within a normal society, where a priest might not be available, but the person wants to be Baptized “right then”…for whatever reason.

Any help?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

1. May someone by baptized by another Christian who is not of holy orders?
2. For that matter, if he/she is baptized by “anyone” in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit (regardless of that person’s faith), then is the baptism “valid?”

Example 2a:
A “believer” truly wants to be Baptized on a desert island, but no-one is there, except a non-believer, yet because it seems to mean so much to the believer, the non-believer doesn’t mind “baptizing” him at his request.

Is the Baptism “valid?”

Example 2b:
Same scenario as above, but within a normal society, where a priest might not be available, but the person wants to be Baptized “right then”…for whatever reason.

Any help?

1. In a Serious Emergency situation.
2. Yes.
3. Yes.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

For a practical case, there are, or were, instructions posted in the newborn section of hospitals directing the emergency baptism of Catholic babies. There were cases of even Jewish doctors and nurses performing emergency baptisms.**

 

[MaryAgnes]

In my roll as a hospital chaplain at a children’s hospital I have baptized many infants/children. When there is danger of death not only is it appropriate to do so, canon law demands it.

 

[mgy100]

Interestingly enough, if one is in the desert and there is no water around and an emergency baptism is to be performed, sand can be used as a substitute!

 

[cameron_lansing]

mgy100,

We suspect that you jest but a casual reader of your post may be led into error. Baptism, of course, is validly conferred only by washing with true water together with the required form of words. (c. 849).

 

[FCEGM]

1. May someone by baptized by another Christian who is not of holy orders?
2. For that matter, if he/she is baptized by “anyone” in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit (regardless of that person’s faith), then is the baptism “valid?”

Example 2a:
A “believer” truly wants to be Baptized on a desert island, but no-one is there, except a non-believer, yet because it seems to mean so much to the believer, the non-believer doesn’t mind “baptizing” him at his request.

Is the Baptism “valid?”

Example 2b:
Same scenario as above, but within a normal society, where a priest might not be available, but the person wants to be Baptized “right then”…for whatever reason.

Any help?

Your question reminded me of a true story that happened at a beach in San Francisco in the early 1960’s. A man had been attacked by a shark but despite his grievous and mortal wounds was able to get back to shore where a young women comforted him and baptized him just before he died.