why can’t the church take one’s word that he or she was baptized in the church, and if it can’t could a conditional baptism be administered so one can receive the sacraments?
There can only be one baptism (Ephesians 4:5). Baptism leaves an indelible mark that cannot be repeated. Conditional baptism is not to take place unless there is an actual doubt about whether baptism happened or doubt that it was valid:
Canon 869 §2 Those baptized in a non-Catholic ecclesial community are not to be baptized conditionally unless there is a serious reason for doubting the validity of their baptism, on the ground of the matter or the form of words used in the baptism, or of the intention of the adult being baptized or of that of the baptizing minister.
This is for a couple of reasons. One is that if we truly believe that a valid baptism leaves an indelible mark then it makes no sense to re-baptize someone. The second reason is that because baptism is such an important sacrament for salvation we should not create doubt or fear if there is no reason to.
The Church can’t just take someone’s word for that they were baptized because the person might not be remembering correctly. The person might just be assuming they were baptized. The other reason is that baptism is necessary for salvation, thus we want to be as reasonably certain as possible that it took place.
If someone is unable to obtain a certificate of baptism then usually what can be done is two witnesses of the baptism can come forward and give signed testimony that they witnessed the baptism of the individual.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
