Baptism question(s)

[DanteAlighieri]

From the Catechism:

1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon.57 In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize58 , by using the Trinitarian baptismal formula. The intention required is to will to do what the Church does when she baptizes. The Church finds the reason for this possibility in the universal saving will of God and the necessity of Baptism for salvation.59

A question occured to me yesterday regarding the husband of a Catholic that I know. This man is not baptised and has some deep-seated disdain for organized religion.

I’ve been talking to this Catholic woman about the need to get her marriage convalidated, which doesn’t seem too big a deal for her husband to accept. The next step, obviously, would be to work on getting him baptised, so their marriage can take on a sacramental character.

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that the unbaptised husband agrees in principle te be baptised, and acknowledges (intellectually, at least) the truth of the Trinity, but that he will not agree to becoming a part of a church in his baptism.

1. Would it be appropriate or me to baptise him?
2. Would it be better for him to be baptised by a non-Catholic minister than to have me do it?
3. Would his baptism even be vaild, given his (assumed) unwillingness to join a church?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Also, for most members here, I know this goes without saying, but let’s not waste time with statements about how “this woman should’ve known better than to marry outside the Church”, or that “this is why the Church urges us against interfaith marriages”.

Peace,
Dante

 

[dylanschrader]

From the Catechism:

A question occured to me yesterday regarding the husband of a Catholic that I know. This man is not baptised and has some deep-seated disdain for organized religion.

I’ve been talking to this Catholic woman about the need to get her marriage convalidated, which doesn’t seem too big a deal for her husband to accept.

If I understand the case correctly–that she was Catholic at the time of their attempted marriage and attempted this marriage outside the Church without a dispensation, then the marriage is, in fact, invalid, which seems to be recognized. For the sake, especially, of the Catholic party, the marriage should be convalidated as soon as possible so that they can resume living as husband and wife and she can receive the sacraments.

The next step, obviously, would be to work on getting him baptised, so their marriage can take on a sacramental character.

It is a common theological opinion that a marriage between someone who is unbaptized and someone who is baptized is sacramental because the baptized person is capable of receiving the sacrament and the unbaptized person is capable of conferring it. Since in marriage the parties minister the sacrament to one another, the baptized person can benefit from the grace of a sacramental marriage.

It is true, however, that it would be better for the marriage (not to mention her husband’s soul) if he were baptized.

It is also commonly thought that a non-sacramental marriage is rendered sacramental by the subsequent baptism of the spouses.

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that the unbaptised husband agrees in principle te be baptised, and acknowledges (intellectually, at least) the truth of the Trinity, but that he will not agree to becoming a part of a church in his baptism.

Since he is an adult, he should not be baptized as a Catholic if he does not confess the creed of the Catholic Church.

We should also add that he can’t help but to become incorporated into the Body of Christ if he is baptized validly; it’s not a separate thing.

1. Would it be appropriate or me to baptise him?

Only in danger of death and if he desires baptism.

1. Would it be better for him to be baptised by a non-Catholic minister than to have me do it?

Neither one should be done because the ordinary minister of baptism is the bishop or the priest (and the deacon in the Roman Rite). You and a non-Catholic minister (unless he is a priest or bishop in a Church with valid Holy Orders, e.g., an Orthodox Church) have the same status as extraordinary ministers of baptism.

1. Would his baptism even be vaild, given his (assumed) unwillingness to join a church?

For an adult, a desire to receive baptism is necessary for validity. For the worthy reception of baptism, faith and a sorrow for sins committed are also necessary.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

From the Catechism:

A question occured to me yesterday regarding the husband of a Catholic that I know. This man is not baptised and has some deep-seated disdain for organized religion.

I’ve been talking to this Catholic woman about the need to get her marriage convalidated, which doesn’t seem too big a deal for her husband to accept. The next step, obviously, would be to work on getting him baptised, so their marriage can take on a sacramental character.

Let’s assume for the sake of argument that the unbaptised husband agrees in principle te be baptised, and acknowledges (intellectually, at least) the truth of the Trinity, but that he will not agree to becoming a part of a church in his baptism.

1. Would it be appropriate or me to baptise him?
2. Would it be better for him to be baptised by a non-Catholic minister than to have me do it?
3. Would his baptism even be vaild, given his (assumed) unwillingness to join a church?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Also, for most members here, I know this goes without saying, but let’s not waste time with statements about how “this woman should’ve known better than to marry outside the Church”, or that “this is why the Church urges us against interfaith marriages”.

Peace,
Dante

1. NO!
2. Yes
3. The Baptism would probably be valid.

Why didn’t she just have her pastor obtain a Dispensation and the necessary permissions.

 

[DanteAlighieri]

1. NO!
2. Yes
3. The Baptism would probably be valid.

Why didn’t she just have her pastor obtain a Dispensation and the necessary permissions.

Probably for the same reason that a lot of people don’t: ignorance exacerbated by a lack of curiosity and/or laziness.

Not really germane to the discussion, as I pointed out in my OP.

But thanks for the feedback!

Peace,
Dante