Baptism Form and Matter

[Mustang]

Just out of curiosity, let’s say someone has been baptized in a Protestant denomination. When they are being baptized, how long can there be in between the actual words (In the name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and the actual baptism (either by immersion or pouring) before the Baptism in invalid? Like obviously if you wait half an hour it would be but if the minister says the words first then baptizes, or vice versa, is it invalid (like Baptist do)? And let’s say someone converts to Catholicism under these circumstances and the Church accepts their baptism. They are completely ignorant to their baptism being invalid and they lead a godly life and take advantage of all the means of grace they can get. Would it all be wasted because they didn’t know their baptism wasn’t valid and then they just go to hell? Sorry for the interesting question. Please cite any sources you can find or know of as well. Thanks.

 

[Vico]

Just out of curiosity, let’s say someone has been baptized in a Protestant denomination. When they are being baptized, how long can there be in between the actual words (In the name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and the actual baptism (either by immersion or pouring) before the Baptism in invalid? Like obviously if you wait half an hour it would be but if the minister says the words first then baptizes, or vice versa, is it invalid (like Baptist do)? And let’s say someone converts to Catholicism under these circumstances and the Church accepts their baptism. They are completely ignorant to their baptism being invalid and they lead a godly life and take advantage of all the means of grace they can get. Would it all be wasted because they didn’t know their baptism wasn’t valid and then they just go to hell? Sorry for the interesting question. Please cite any sources you can find or know of as well. Thanks.

Baptists validly baptise. Note that just one person says both the words and applies the water.

Diocese of Baltimore: http://www.dob-tribunal.com/uploads/4/4/8/1/44818299/validity-of-baptisms-and-confirmation.pdf

AAS said one person (1916 AD): http://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-08-1916-ocr.pdf

 

[lpatmur]

Thomas Aquinas talks about Baptism of desire. What is meant by this is if someone desires to be baptized but is kept in some way from doing so they are still within the saving power of the Church. A common example of this is if an adult is going through RCIA and has done all necessary to enter into the Church but dies on their way to the Easter Vigil, they will still be saved. I believe living a life according to the Catholic faith and not being aware your baptism was invalid would fall under this same teaching. Obviously Aquinas isn’t infallible but we are called to have hope in God’s mercy. Remember He wants us to be saved.

 

[Mustang]

Accidentally deleted previous comment, but I was thinking the same thing about Baptism of Desire. Thanks for the comment and example

 

[InThePew]

As in the link Vico posted, dioceses typically have a list of denominations whose baptisms are recognised as being valid. If the denomination is on that list then that’s the beginning and end of the enquiry into validity.

Besides that, while baptism is necessary for salvation, God will all people to be saved and thus is hardly going to condemn someone to damnation simply because of a technical error relating to their baptism. All the dead - baptised or unbaptised - are entrusted to God’s mercy.