Is baptism valid if an adult does not want it?

[Elizium23]

[edited] I am wondering if baptism is valid if the recipient does not intend to be baptized. In other words, if he does not believe what the Church teaches, particularly does not believe in God, or the efficacy of sacraments, does his baptism even occur?

I know that even an atheist can baptize people - but don’t they have to intend to do what the Church does, too?

 

[AJV]

Yes, in adults with reason, they must intend to receive the sacrament.

They do not have to understand everything about the sacrament or all its effects, nor do they necessarily have to hold the correct beliefs about it but they must consent to receive the ceremony which does something.

An intention to “do what the Church does” does not mean, “believe what the Church believes”. In fact, ti does not even mean, do what the Catholic Church does. It is sufficient that a person intend to do what Christ’s Church does.

Incidentally, incorrect beliefs can invalidate a baptism on the part of the minister of baptism if he or she positively intends something contrary to the Catholic doctrine as opposed to merely passively holding it without inserting it positively into an act of will e.g. I intend that this baptism shall not effect regeneration.

 

[Trebor135]

Yes, in adults with reason, they must intend to receive the sacrament.

They do not have to understand everything about the sacrament or all its effects, nor do they necessarily have to hold the correct beliefs about it but they must consent to receive the ceremony which does something.

An intention to “do what the Church does” does not mean, “believe what the Church believes”. In fact, ti does not even mean, do what the Catholic Church does. It is sufficient that a person intend to do what Christ’s Church does.

Incidentally, incorrect beliefs can invalidate a baptism on the part of the minister of baptism if he or she positively intends something contrary to the Catholic doctrine as opposed to merely passively holding it without inserting it positively into an act of will e.g. I intend that this baptism shall not effect regeneration.

Back in the fourth century, the Donatist heretics believed that baptism was ex opere operandis–meaning that its validity depended on the righteousness of the party administering the sacrament. What you suggest as a possible barrier to the validity of baptism, though different circumstances are involved, sounds like something the Donatists would have come up with.

 

[AJV]

Back in the fourth century, the Donatist heretics believed that baptism was ex opere operandis–meaning that its validity depended on the righteousness of the party administering the sacrament. What you suggest as a possible barrier to the validity of baptism, though different circumstances are involved, sounds like something the Donatists would have come up with.

I do not think I have suggested anything that is against the teaching of the Church or of several theologians throughout the ages.

It does not depend on the righteousness of the party, but if a contrary intention is inserted into the will, then no baptism can take place, because a false intention cannot effect it. I honestly doubt you will find a following about Church documents or theologians stating that if a **positive **act of will is made against the teaching on Baptism then it is valid.

The Church accepts the baptism of Protestants because they implicitly assume that their errors (if any, varying as it does from denomination to denomination) do not condition their intention. They Church assumes what the theologians call “concomittance with the will” that is a coexistence of the disbelief in the true doctrine of baptism – that is only in the mind and does not condition the intention. But if it is explicitly intended to condition the will, then the baptism will be invalid.

 

[veilofveronica]

No.

An adult has to WANT to be Baptized. The only exception would be if the adult is severely mentally disabled or incapacitated, in which case the Baptism promises would be taken upon by the individual’s godparents and parents/guardians, and would be treated much the same as the Baptism as an infant or child. If they were incapacitated, normally they would have made their intentions to be Baptized known prior.

Yes, in the case where there is a danger of death and/ or in the rare case where no priest is present, anyone may baptize, regardless of their own faith. But normally, they are baptizing either an infant, child, or disabled/incapacitated person that the parents/guardians wish to have baptized, or an adult who either wishes to be baptized or who had their intentions to be baptized made known before they were incapacitated.

For the effects of Baptism to take place in the soul, the adult individual (except for in the case mentioned above) has to be fully aware and accepting and instructed as to what is taking place.

God Bless.

 

[1ke]

[edited] I am wondering if baptism is valid if the recipient does not intend to be baptized. In other words, if he does not believe what the Church teaches, particularly does not believe in God, or the efficacy of sacraments, does his baptism even occur?

I’m not understanding how an adult would be baptized without intending to be baptized?

 

[karow]

I’m not understanding how an adult would be baptized without intending to be baptized?

Perhaps the adult is sick, injured, suffering from traumatic brain injury, or otherwise not able to give an informed consent for the Sacrament? I don’t know for sure, just guessing here, but perhaps…? Maybe the OP is thinking of a ‘Last Rights at the scene of an accident’ scenario?

 

[1ke]

Maybe the OP is thinking of a ‘Last Rights at the scene of an accident’ scenario?

Baptism is not part of Last Rites. Last Rites consists of Anointing, Confession, and Eucharist for someone who is already a Catholic.

 

[Elizium23]

Well, the other thread explained it in full, but it is deleted now. As I explained in my OP, a person who does not believe in God, or the efficacy of the sacraments, but intends to lie his way through RCIA to be baptized Catholic as a “status symbol.”

I’m not talking about an incapacitated person or an unwilling person being held down and dunked against his will.

 

[1ke]

Well, the other thread explained it in full, but it is deleted now. As I explained in my OP, a person who does not believe in God, or the efficacy of the sacraments, but intends to lie his way through RCIA to be baptized Catholic as a “status symbol.”

I’m not talking about an incapacitated person or an unwilling person being held down and dunked against his will.

A persons words and actions are assumed to conform to their internal disposition. If the person presents themselves for baptism and asks for it, I would have to say that yes they would be validly baptized. The priest is the minister of baptism, and if the person consents then yes they are validly baptized.

 

[karow]

Baptism is not part of Last Rites. Last Rites consists of Anointing, Confession, and Eucharist for someone who is already a Catholic.

Fair enough, but I was getting at situation/scenario where someone might be unbaptized and unconscious.