Is it a mortal sin to baptise someone without their consent?

[Cor_ad_Cor]

@Cecilia_Dympna
I think the good deacon is referring to Canon Law here. In the US, at least, civil law does view such a person as a “minor” regardless of age or extent of mental incapacity.

 

[Nelka]

So the final answer is, keep my Holy Water to myself when I watch someone die because they don’t understand the question?

 

[goodguy2342]

What about spouses who are not catholic, simply blessing them with the sign of the cross?

 

[Augustinian]

It may be an error to baptize someone without their consent, and it may be an invalid sacrament.

But I don’t see any likely circumstance that it would be a mortal sin.

 

[FrDavid96]

Ok, but what is the material gravity of the act? Is it a form of sacrilege (ie: grave matter), or of a lesser degree? Unless I missed it, no poster, or this article has answered that question yet.
Thanks

1738 Freedom is exercised in relationships between human beings. Every human person, created in the image of God, has the natural right to be recognized as a free and responsible being. All owe to each other this duty of respect. the right to the exercise of freedom, especially in moral and religious matters, is an inalienable requirement of the dignity of the human person. This right must be recognized and protected by civil authority within the limits of the common good and public order.

Catechism
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P5N.HTM

In other words, it violates the dignity of the human person to impose religion (in this case, baptism) upon someone who does not consent to it.

 

[DarkLight]

Where are you? Became this is absolutely not the law in the UK.

He’s referring to canon law here. So an “infant” in canon law refers to someone unable to understand enough to make faith decisions. Normally this applies to children under 7, but also to those who due to disability never reach that level.

The usage is admittedly different from that of modern english.