Baptism

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I know that anyone can baptize a person, as long as they do it correctly…

If you had two pagans, they could baptize each other then, right?

 

[Phemie]

I know that anyone can baptize a person, as long as they do it correctly…

If you had two pagans, they could baptize each other then, right?

Well, if you really think about it, that’s impossible.

Ok, maybe not impossible but very unlikely unless they baptize each other at exactly the same time.

 

[puzzleannie]

I know that anyone can baptize a person, as long as they do it correctly…

If you had two pagans, they could baptize each other then, right?

it would valid but illlicit unless they were in danger of death, also not only the matter and form (correct words and use of water) but the intent must be there.

you have been asking some good, thought provoking questions here, may I suggest you look at the other forums, especially liturgy and sacraments, where similar questions are discussed, because you will find more explanation there, and more topics to help you. If you hit the wrong forum you might not get all the information you need, and will miss out on some good stuff. Just go by the forum titles. If you have general questions about “how to become Catholic”, that is the evangelization forum.

If you are on the journey, Welcome Home, you are on your way with your first question.

 

[Religio71]

Well, if you really think about it, that’s impossible.

Ok, maybe not impossible but very unlikely unless they baptize each other at exactly the same time.

I’m not sure that makes sense.

Two Pagans could baptize each other in an emergency situation.

 

[Phemie]

I’m not sure that makes sense.

Two Pagans could baptize each other in an emergency situation.

Then the first would be baptized by a pagan but the second would be baptized by a Christian.

 

[Bluegoat]

Yes, two pagans could baptize each other. So if two such people in the middle of nowhere find themselves a Bible on a mountainside some day, and want to be Christians, they can.

 

[Joe_5859]

it would valid but illlicit unless they were in danger of death, also not only the matter and form (correct words and use of water) but the intent must be there.

I just want to highlight this because it is the correct answer. Anyone, even a non-Christian, can validly baptize so long as they use the proper matter (water) and form (Trinitarian formula). However, Baptism is ordinarily done by a bishop, priest, or deacon. Permission can be granted to others in certain situations, and when someone is in danger of death, anyone can baptize the person licitly.

 

[Religio71]

Then the first would be baptized by a pagan but the second would be baptized by a Christian.

ok… In an emergency, both are valid baptisms, no matter if an atheist is baptizing, as long as the criteria are met.

 

[Bluegoat]

ok… In an emergency, both are valid baptisms, no matter if an atheist is baptizing, as long as the criteria are met.

I may be wrong here, but I think that they are valid even if it is not an emergency - it just isn’t supposed to be done in that case.

And about registering the baptism, mentioned by a pp - depending on the circumstances, one would perhaps not expect a non-Christian or even non-Catholic Christian to do this at the most local Catholic parish, or at all.

 

[Joe_5859]

I may be wrong here, but I think that they are valid even if it is not an emergency - it just isn’t supposed to be done in that case.

And about registering the baptism, mentioned by a pp - depending on the circumstances, one would perhaps not expect a non-Christian or even non-Catholic Christian to do this at the most local Catholic parish, or at all.

You are correct. A Baptism that follows the proper form and uses the proper matter and is done with the right intent is always valid, but not always licit.

 

[Religio71]

I may be wrong here, but I think that they are valid even if it is not an emergency - it just isn’t supposed to be done in that case.

And about registering the baptism, mentioned by a pp - depending on the circumstances, one would perhaps not expect a non-Christian or even non-Catholic Christian to do this at the most local Catholic parish, or at all.

Yes thank you, they are valid, yet not always licit. In the case of an emergency, a pagan can baptize another pagan, and vice versa, validly and licitly. The status of “pagan” has no role in the emergency baptism.

 

[Bluegoat]

So, if the pagans in question were not in immediate danger, but had little expectation of ever being in a position to be baptized licitly, would it be acceptable for them to baptize each other, or should they wait until an emergency situation?

Not that such a situation is likely, or the people involved would know the “rules” anyway!