Baptizing the unconscious dying

[Rob_in_Oregon]

Is it true that we should only baptize (conditionally) an unconscious dying person if we are certain the person would have asked to be baptized had he been conscious and aware of his impending death? It seems an opportunity to save someone in mortal sin, but we don’t want to abuse the situation. Your thoughts? - Rob in Oregon

 

[1ke]

Can. 865 §1. For an adult to be baptized, the person must have manifested the intention to receive baptism, have been instructed sufficiently about the truths of the faith and Christian obligations, and have been tested in the Christian life through the catechumenate. The adult is also to be urged to have sorrow for personal sins.

§2. An adult in danger of death can be baptized if, having some knowledge of the principal truths of the faith, the person has manifested in any way at all the intention to receive baptism and promises to observe the commandments of the Christian religion.