Licit and Valid Baptism

[ExGratia]

For now, this is purely hypothetical. In the “developed” world, most babies are born in hospitals but homebirth and unassisted birth are on the rise-by choice. In third world countries many people don’t have a choice where there baby is born.

In any and all birth situations, could emergency baptism be provided by a parent? Since we really can’t be sure about the health of a baby in any situation, wouldn’t it be okay to baptise immediately and later be conditionally baptised/have exorcism rite?

Would it be okay in only some situations (i.e. born 2 weeks early, born at home, or born via c-section)?

I firmly believe babies should be taken to a church to be baptised asap. In the meantime, SIDS and other issues could arise.

Would the baptism be valid and/or licit? I thought of asking this to an apologist, but your answers often prove more interesting! I’ve had similar thoughts about women in labor or scheduled for surgery and Last Rites, but that may be another post!

 

[Bookcat]

Anyone can baptize --say in danger of death of the child (valid and licit). But I would think there ought to be a real danger not merely speculative . There would not be then a “conditional” baptism later unless there was real doubt about the first.

Arrangements with a Priest etc can be done prior to birth and the child baptized soon after by the ordinary minister.

 

[MarkThompson]

Anybody might theoretically die at any time, whether from an unexpected aneurysm or from getting struck by a meteor. But baptism outside the ordinary rites of the Church is permitted only when there is a reasonable situation of necessity, which obviously requires rather more than, “Well, I guess he might possibly die, even though I have no particular reason for thinking so in this case.” Such a baptism, even if performed illicitly without necessity, would be valid, and ought to be entered into the sacramental records of the parish in whose territory it took place, but it certainly cannot be expected to be the norm.

 

[ExGratia]

I do understand the responses thus far. How could someone giving birth at home even know about the health of the baby? In a hospital, it sounds even worse. If there is a problem and a baby is born in a hospital, he is likely whisked away before a baptism could be performed.

Would it be sinful to baptise a baby at home if you decided on certain criteria ahead of time (any blue or purpleness, long delivery and therefore more stress)? Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?

At any rate, I feel bad for the parishioners at this church, since SIDS is most common at 2-4 months:

stclementchurch.org/worship/sacraments/baptism/baptism_FAQ.php#q2

They baptise between 3 and 6 months. Also, I have heard some churches don’t baptise during Lent, so a baby born just before the start of Lent (too late to make an appointment before Lent starts) would have to wait several months too.

Due to those reasons, it seems almost better to baptise immediately so you can do it in good faith.

 

[Bookcat]

Canon Law:

Can. 861 §1. The ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, a presbyter, or a deacon, without prejudice to the prescript of ⇒ can. 530, n. 1.

§2. When an ordinary minister is absent or impeded, a catechist or another person designated for this function by the local ordinary, or in a case of necessity any person with the right intention, confers baptism licitly. Pastors of souls, especially the pastor of a parish, are to be concerned that the Christian faithful are taught the correct way to baptize.

(intratext version -Vatican copyright)
**
Compendium issued by Pope Benedict XVI**

1. Who can baptize?

1256
1284

The ordinary ministers of Baptism are the bishop and the priest. In the Latin Church the deacon also can baptize. In case of necessity any person can baptize provided he has the intention of doing what the Church does. This is done by pouring water on the head of the candidate while saying the Trinitarian formula for Baptism: “I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

 

[Bookcat]

Canon 867 specifies that Parents are obliged to see that their infants are baptised within the “first few weeks”. The number of those weeks is not specified.

One ought to make arrangements to do so as soon as possible (and start during the 9 months preceding when one sees that there is a child within )

But one ought not do it oneself unless there is* necessity* --like one is on a deserted island or there is actual danger of death…

I do not think necessity here applies to a situation where one can not get them baptized for a month or so…

When my son was born --I brought a little bottle of Holy Water with me…(not that it has to be holy water)…and when my wife had to be rushed for an emergency C-section – I made sure to grab the water and take it with me.

 

[Bookcat]

Also, I have heard some churches don’t baptise during Lent, so a baby born just before the start of Lent (too late to make an appointment before Lent starts) would have to wait several months too.
.

Response from the CDW that can touch on this I believe:

“The encouragement of the Church that the faithful avail themselves frequently of her sacraments and sacramentals is to be understood to apply also to the season of Lent. The “fast” and “abstinence” which the faithful embrace in this season does not extend to abstaining from the sacraments or sacramentals of the Church”

adoremus.org/HolyWater.html