Emergency Baptism of Unconscious Person?

[Holly3278]

Hey everyone. My Grandma died earlier this Summer. For a couple of weeks, she was unconscious. Would it have been okay for me to baptize her knowing that she believed in God but not knowing if she was baptized or not?

 

[runningdude]

I’m sorry to hear about your loss.

Based on the circumstances where your grandmother was unconscious for several weeks, it would have been better to have consulted a priest during that time, who could may have chosen to perform a conditional baptism, and then the last rites. Only if it were a sudden illness or accident would it be appropriate to perform an emergency baptism yourself.

If your grandmother were Jewish or Muslim, then it would have been inappropriate to attempt a baptism. Same would apply to certain other religions, and even some other Christian denominations, which is why it would be best to allow a priest to evaluate the situation.

There is still hope though, even if she died unbaptized. If she died believing in God, she may have received a baptism by desire - thereby admitting her to heaven with our Lord.

 

[thistle]

Hey everyone. My Grandma died earlier this Summer. For a couple of weeks, she was unconscious. Would it have been okay for me to baptize her knowing that she believed in God but not knowing if she was baptized or not?

Was your grandmother a Catholic?

 

[puzzleannie]

Hey everyone. My Grandma died earlier this Summer. For a couple of weeks, she was unconscious. Would it have been okay for me to baptize her knowing that she believed in God but not knowing if she was baptized or not?

it would have been more appropriate since she was still with you for a couple of weeks to call the hospital chaplain to find a Catholic priest or deacon. If you know she was never baptized yet had a belief in Jesus and generally Christian sensibilities and a desire for baptism, and it was an emergency–death being imminent–and no minister was available, yes you could have done so. If she belonged to a non-Christian religion or had definitely rejected Christianity in her lifetime and shown an aversion to baptism, any of these, it would have been inappropriate. Don’t worry about it now, she is in the hands of the all-merciful God who created her and knows her soul more deeply than you ever will. Pray for the repose of her soul and have a Mass said for her.

if you had reason to think she was already baptized, then no it should not be done again. What leads you to think she was not baptized?

 

[Holly3278]

Was your grandmother a Catholic?

No, she was not. If she was, there would have been no need for an emergency baptism. That said, I could not have called a priest or chaplain. My Grandpa used to be a very militant Atheist. He would have hit the ceiling had I done such a thing. Since her death, though, he has started going to a Methodist church. Praise be to God for that.

That said, I have been finding myself feeling really guilty for not giving her an emergency baptism. I feel like I failed to do this when I should have.

There is also the fact that she was basically starved and dehydrated to death. I did not know this until a few days before her death. However, I failed to speak up for her. I also feel very sorry about this.

 

[TrueLight]

No, she was not. If she was, there would have been no need for an emergency baptism. That said, I could not have called a priest or chaplain. My Grandpa used to be a very militant Atheist.

May good soothe you in your lost.

As someone else asked, was your grandma ever baptized as a Christian, maybe before she met your grandpa?

 

[PacoG]

The Memorial Prayer of Eucharistic Prayer IV should give you comfort because you know that the Church prays for your grandmother:

Remember those who have died in the peace of Christ and all the dead whose faith is known to you alone.

 

[paduard]

Hey everyone. My Grandma died earlier this Summer. For a couple of weeks, she was unconscious. Would it have been okay for me to baptize her knowing that she believed in God but not knowing if she was baptized or not?

Not only would it have been okay for you to baptise your Grandma, but to have done so immediately without hesitation. Such a Baptism would have been valid.

However, as running dude touched upon above, in my opinion your Grandmother would most certainly be subject to and receive ‘Baptism of Desire’. So rest content. Pray for her regularly and offer up the greatest gift you can give her i.e. The Sacrifice of The Most Holy Mass.

God Bless your Grandmother. R.I.P.