Can someone be baptized unintentionally / by accident?

[Sir_Knight]

Last year my young daughter went to a birthday party. One of the children invited was not Christian. Most of the other children at the party were all from the same class and they were learning about the sacraments. Some how they learned that this one child was not baptized and explained that baptism washes away original sin and makes one a child of God and ask the boy if he wanted to be baptized. He said yes and they proceeded to baptize him.

I know that in emergency situations, anyone can baptize and that was certainly not the case here.

… But, did “anything” actually happen when they “baptized” him?

 

[joeybaggz]

I was originally going to respond in a different way, but your question is intriguing.

I guess I’d have to ask if the person actually doing the baptizing was an adult, baptized, Christian themselves.

If so, it would seem the answer would be yes.

 

[stbruno]

They weren’t baptized Catholic.unless it was an emergency baptism, ,…and if the child was a minor, I don’t think this is valid in any Christian church as far as I know. Maybe they were playing “church”. Teach your child, since she waspresent about baptism…this is a good opportunity to catechize.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Last year my young daughter went to a birthday party. One of the children invited was not Christian. Most of the other children at the party were all from the same class and they were learning about the sacraments. Some how they learned that this one child was not baptized and explained that baptism washes away original sin and makes one a child of God and ask the boy if he wanted to be baptized. He said yes and they proceeded to baptize him.

I know that in emergency situations, anyone can baptize and that was certainly not the case here.

… But, did “anything” actually happen when they “baptized” him?

Well that would all depend on the actual understanding of those doing the Baptizing and their specific intention. The Pastor of the parish should be informed and he should attempt to speak with them with their parents to determine their exact intention at the time.

My guess would be that they were most likely just “playing around” mush like children who “play” priest and “celebrate Mass”. But again that would have to be the judgement of the parish pastor.

 

[Sir_Knight]

The 7-year old children INTENED to baptize the Hindu boy when they learned that he wasn’t baptized because they felt that he SHOULD be if HE wanted to be – based on what they learned in religion class.

 

[LilyM]

The 7-year old children INTENED to baptize the Hindu boy when they learned that he wasn’t baptized because they felt that he SHOULD be if HE wanted to be – based on what they learned in religion class.

A seven-year old child has only just reached the age of reason - at that age I know one of my schoolmates baptised her pet dog, so I’d seriously doubt a child of that age has sufficient understanding or intent to administer a sacrament.

 

[kage_ar]

Three things are required:

Form (I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

Matter (water)

Intent (to do what the Church intends)

Chances are, a bunch of kids did not have intent and may or may not have had the form.

Most likely, all the kid got was wet.

 

[1ke]

You should bring it to the attention of your priest, and seek counsel from him.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The 7-year old children INTENED to baptize the Hindu boy when they learned that he wasn’t baptized because they felt that he SHOULD be if HE wanted to be – based on what they learned in religion class.

The parish pastor would have to speak with the boys and determine their specific Intention at that time and understanding of Sacramental Baptism.

 

[teachccd]

You should bring it to the attention of your priest, and seek counsel from him.

This is the only answer. All other answers are mere speculation because a baptism can be valid with proper form and matter even if the person baptizing is not baptized themself. But this is only done in case of an emergency.

Seek professional advice for this most interesting situation.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I remember being taught how to baptize when I was in second grade and we practiced on dolls and were told this was only to be done in an emergency. We understood baptism took away original sin and made us a child of God. IMHO we understood enough to validly baptize.

This should have been brought to the attention of the teacher and the pastor so he could look into the matter.

 

[Sir_Knight]

Three things are required:

Form (I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

They had that because that’s what they learned in school and they all knew it very well.

Matter (water)

It was a summer water party so they had plenty of that.

Intent (to do what the Church intends)

They APPEAR to have had that as well because they were SINCERELY concerned that their friend wasn’t baptized yet.

You should bring it to the attention of your priest, and seek counsel from him.

I think I’ll leave this for the parents who were throwing the party since it was their responsibility to keep an eye on what was going on but I will bring it to their attention.

I remember being taught how to baptize when I was in second grade and we practiced on dolls and were told this was only to be done in an emergency. We understood baptism took away original sin and made us a child of God. IMHO we understood enough to validly baptize.

This should have been brought to the attention of the teacher and the pastor so he could look into the matter.

My point exactly.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

They had that because that’s what they learned in school and they all knew it very well.

It was a summer water party so they had plenty of that.

They APPEAR to have had that as well because they were SINCERELY concerned that their friend wasn’t baptized yet.

I think I’ll leave this for the parents who were throwing the party since it was their responsibility to keep an eye on what was going on but I will bring it to their attention.

My point exactly.

Just for clarity. I’m not saying it could not be valid. I’m saying we don’t know until we speak with the children directly. Also remember that only one child could be the person who Baptized. If one said the words while the other poured the water, that would not be valid. If one said the words and then poured the water that would also not be valid.

 

[Sir_Knight]

This may be hard to determine since it was almost a year ago and we’re talking about small children whose memory on this is a bit vague.

As I said, I’ll bring it to the attention of the parents running the party and suggest that they speak to the priest. If it turns out to be valid, I do not want to be the one to tell Hindu parents that their son is now a Christian.

 

[MysteriorumDei]

Wow. Does this get sticky or what?

As has been said, if the (one) child doing the baptizing and the one being baptized were over the age of reason (7) and intended to do what the Church does when baptizing, and used the correct formula and water, then we have a new Christian.

This could get very messy later on if there is no record or the new Christian has no access to the record or no memory of the event.

Should he marry another Christian (even while thinking he is still Hindu), that marriage will be sacramental and indissoluble. Generally great. Unless he divorces and decides to re-marry.

Also, is he Catholic? What did those kids intend? Were they Catholic?

My head is starting to hurt…

 

[Sir_Knight]

All of the children were/are Catholic except for the one Hindu boy who MIGHT now also be Catholic

 

[musicmantg11]

Please inform your pastor and have him talk to the child and his parents.

God Bless! +

 

[LilyM]

So why are we still discussing this? It’s something the pastor needs to know and he’s the only one who can figure it out. Have you reported it Sir Knight?

 

[NetNuncio]

Several things here…

First of all, I don’t see it as too much of a problem. The child is just that…a child. So, even if he had genuine concern for the other child’s soul, the matter of age of reason is doubtful. So, even if he had the proper intent, it may be void since the child’s ability to reason is certainly questionable.

In any case, since the baptism is so questionable, if the “baptized” child were to eventually convert later on in life, at least conditional baptism would eventually have to be administered.

With all of that said, however, please do consult a wise and holy priest (some may, unfortunately, just brush this off), and when you do, please let us all know the outcome!

 

[Traditional_Ang]

Last year my young daughter went to a birthday party. One of the children invited was not Christian. Most of the other children at the party were all from the same class and they were learning about the sacraments. Some how they learned that this one child was not baptized and explained that baptism washes away original sin and makes one a child of God and ask the boy if he wanted to be baptized. He said yes and they proceeded to baptize him.

I know that in emergency situations, anyone can baptize and that was certainly not the case here.

… But, did “anything” actually happen when they “baptized” him?

Sir Knight:

Did the child understand He was being baptized? Did the kids immerse the child in water or pour water on him and say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit?” Did they mean to do it?

If these three are present, guess what! you have a newly Baptized Christian!

The Ordinary method for Baptism is a priest in front of a congregation, but anyone can do it. The Baptism the kids performed is just as LICIT and VALID as any Protestant Baptism, which is a VALID Baptism and begets a Christian born anew of water and of the Spirit.

Is he pretty much “unchurched”? If so, these little evangelists are going to have to explain to the kid’s parents why they need to start taking “Johny” to the local Catholic Church. They might not be too thrilled that they’re now parents of a Christian newly reborn by water and the Spirit.

I hope this helps.

Your Brother in Christ, Michael