How is it that anyone can validly baptize?

[xixxvmcm85]

This is a genuine question I’ve been pondering recently.

Why is it that all the Sacraments are only valid if performed by someone with valid Holy Orders yet baptism can be performed by any Christian (Catholic or non-Catholic, male or female, priest or not)?

Is there something in the nature of Baptism that makes it different than the other Sacraments? What is the theological justification if this is deemed the case?

It would seem to me that the Sacraments by definition would need to all be performed by a validly ordained Priest (including Baptism) or that all can be performed by laypeople including those not of the Catholic faith.

Also, intimately tied into this question lies another: Why is it that Baptism is the one Sacrament that the Church recognizes even interdenominationally as long as it is done in the proper, Trinitarian formula, yet even the Sacrament of Confirmation (which is said to leave a similar “indelible mark on the soul” as does Baptism) is repeated on Christian converts to the faith who were previously confirmed in other communions?

Thanks for all your help answering the questions of this infant in the faith!

 

[Cluny]

Baptism by a layman on someone in immediate danger of death has always been recognized, because Baptism (as far as we know) is the only way that God removes original sin, as well as person sin committed before baptism.

But in the Latin Rite, it is taught that the couple themselves administer the Sacrament of Matrimony to each other, and not the Priest. (This is not the practice of the Eastern Churches.)

Furthermore, valid orders do NOT exist in any of the Protestant Churches. This means there are no Bishops to ether administer Confirmation (or any of the other sacraments) or confect and consecrate the Chrism where priests may confirm, even if they use the name “Confirmation” or “Bishop.”

This does not apply to the Apostolic Churches of the East (Catholic, Orthodox, Non-Chalcedonian, or Assyrian), who have retained an unbroken Apostolic succession of validly ordained Bishops, with Priests and Deacons.

 

[Seatuck]

Marriage is another Sacrament that is not “performed” by the Priest or Deacon they only act as official witness. The couple administer the sacrament to each other .The couple make the bond with thier vows.

 

[Steadfast_love]

Marriage is yet another sacrement that… aw shucks! Beaten to the punch!

Perhaps because Jesus let John the Baptist (not an apostle) baptize?

 

[Phemie]

Marriage is another Sacrament that is not “performed” by the Priest or Deacon they only act as official witness. The couple administer the sacrament to each other .The couple make the bond with thier vows.

And that’s why, even in the Catholic Church, a layperson appointed by the Bishop with Rome’s permission can be that official witness. It doesn’t have to be a priest or a deacon.

That’s also why a Catholic may be validly, and even sacramentally, married in a non-Catholic Church or even at the town hall as long as the Bishop granted a dispensation from canonical form.

 

[Shin]

This is a genuine question I’ve been pondering recently.

Why is it that all the Sacraments are only valid if performed by someone with valid Holy Orders yet baptism can be performed by any Christian (Catholic or non-Catholic, male or female, priest or not)?

Is there something in the nature of Baptism that makes it different than the other Sacraments? What is the theological justification if this is deemed the case?

It would seem to me that the Sacraments by definition would need to all be performed by a validly ordained Priest (including Baptism) or that all can be performed by laypeople including those not of the Catholic faith.

Also, intimately tied into this question lies another: Why is it that Baptism is the one Sacrament that the Church recognizes even interdenominationally as long as it is done in the proper, Trinitarian formula, yet even the Sacrament of Confirmation (which is said to leave a similar “indelible mark on the soul” as does Baptism) is repeated on Christian converts to the faith who were previously confirmed in other communions?

Thanks for all your help answering the questions of this infant in the faith!

Anyone can baptize, even a non-Christian.

newadvent.org/summa/4067.htm#article5

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

This is a genuine question I’ve been pondering recently.

Thanks for all your help answering the questions of this infant in the faith!

Why is it that all the Sacraments are only valid if performed by someone with valid Holy Orders yet baptism can be performed by any Christian (Catholic or non-Catholic, male or female, priest or not)?

Baptism can be validly conferred by anyone, Christian or not on anyone who has not already been Baptized. This is because of the true necessity of Baptism and the ability is granted to them by the Church.

Christ said “He who believes and is Baptized is saved, he who does not believe is condemned.” He does not say anything about those who believe but are not Baptized in this passage.

Is there something in the nature of Baptism that makes it different than the other Sacraments? What is the theological justification if this is deemed the case?

From both Scripture and Tradition the necessity of Baptism is clear.

It would seem to me that the Sacraments by definition would need to all be performed by a validly ordained Priest (including Baptism) or that all can be performed by laypeople including those not of the Catholic faith.

The Sacraments were given to the Church by Christ to oversee. The Church determines the necessary minister based on theology, history, etc.

Also, intimately tied into this question lies another: Why is it that Baptism is the one Sacrament that the Church recognizes even interdenominationally as long as it is done in the proper, Trinitarian formula, yet even the Sacrament of Confirmation (which is said to leave a similar “indelible mark on the soul” as does Baptism) is repeated on Christian converts to the faith who were previously confirmed in other communions?

Baptism is recognized as valid because the Sacraments operate on their own when the proper Words, Matter, Intent (of the proper minister) are present. The minister in this case can be anyone.

Marriage is conferred by the individuals on each other, the proper minister is the couple.

Confirmation can be conferrer by a priest either when authorized by Law or specifically by the Bishop.

 

[PhilotheaZ]

The answer to your question is given in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (bold emphasis added):

1256 The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and priest and, in the Latin Church, also the deacon. In case of necessity, anyone, even a non-baptized person, with the required intention, can baptize, 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.