Non Catholic baptism but now a Catholic

[LizS]

It bothers me (not constantly but periodically) that although I am now a Catholic I have never been baptised in the Catholic Church. This is because the Church recognises my Anglican baptism as valid, and so didnt repeat it when I was received into the Church.

But what I dont understand is this. The Catholic Church does not recognise ordination of Anglican priests, thereby an Anglican priest’s ordination is invalid. If this is the case, surely my baptism is therefore also invalid by the very fact that it was performed by one who is not validly ordained.

I wouldnt be too bothered, except for the fact that baptism is one thing that Jesus required as part of our means of salvation. I have been confirmed in the Catholic Church, which serves to console me in part.

Can anyone help explain why my baptism is considered valid, despite the way in which I was baptised, and also offer any advice regarding why it worries me please? I so desparately dont want to be separated from our Lord.

I thank you for any help you can give, but I cant stay online right now, as I am in England, and it is late.
Liz

 

[Joannm]

It bothers me (not constantly but periodically) that although I am now a Catholic I have never been baptised in the Catholic Church. This is because the Church recognises my Anglican baptism as valid, and so didnt repeat it when I was received into the Church.

But what I dont understand is this. The Catholic Church does not recognise ordination of Anglican priests, thereby an Anglican priest’s ordination is invalid. If this is the case, surely my baptism is therefore also invalid by the very fact that it was performed by one who is not validly ordained.

I wouldnt be too bothered, except for the fact that baptism is one thing that Jesus required as part of our means of salvation. I have been confirmed in the Catholic Church, which serves to console me in part.

Can anyone help explain why my baptism is considered valid, despite the way in which I was baptised, and also offer any advice regarding why it worries me please? I so desparately dont want to be separated from our Lord.

I thank you for any help you can give, but I cant stay online right now, as I am in England, and it is late.
Liz

It is not necessary for baptism to be performed by a validily ordained priest or deacon. We have a hosptial in our parish and each month there are several babies baptized by a nun chaplain or even a nurse. It is the matter and form that is important in baptism…that is water and the Trinitarian formula. Anyone can baptize in an emergency and have it be valid. The Catholic Church accepts any baptism that has correct matter and form. St. Paul wrote there is “one baptism.” If you were baptized a Christian the Catholic accepts that as the first step in Initiation. When you entered the Catholic faith you received Confirmation and Eucharist, that completed your initiation into the Faith. For those two Sacraments you need a validly ordained priest.

 

[John_Lilburne]

You do not need to be ordained to baptize someone. In an emergency, you could baptize.

From the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (at vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html ):

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”.

 

[LizS]

Thank you Joannm and John Liburne for your replies (and the CCC ref). I did once ask a priest about it, but got a rather non commital answer. Perhaps he wasnt sure himself, who knows. But it gives me a lot of comfort to know that my baptism is sound, and I can lay that one to rest. Thanks again, and God bless you
Liz

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

It bothers me (not constantly but periodically) that although I am now a Catholic I have never been baptised in the Catholic Church. This is because the Church recognises my Anglican baptism as valid, and so didnt repeat it when I was received into the Church.

But what I dont understand is this. The Catholic Church does not recognise ordination of Anglican priests, thereby an Anglican priest’s ordination is invalid. If this is the case, surely my baptism is therefore also invalid by the very fact that it was performed by one who is not validly ordained.

I wouldnt be too bothered, except for the fact that baptism is one thing that Jesus required as part of our means of salvation. I have been confirmed in the Catholic Church, which serves to console me in part.

Can anyone help explain why my baptism is considered valid, despite the way in which I was baptised, and also offer any advice regarding why it worries me please? I so desparately dont want to be separated from our Lord.

I thank you for any help you can give, but I cant stay online right now, as I am in England, and it is late.
Liz

Valid Baptism does not require a validly Ordained minister, ANYONE can validly Baptize.

 

[heiscominginthe]

What matters is that before a person is baptized, they must be born again, saved from death through faith in Jesus Christ.

For what good is water baptism is the person has not been born again? The person enters the water a sinner and comes out of the water a sinner. Yet, there has been times when some entered the water, and have a change of heart, they become born again while receiving this baptism. That is why so many believe water baptism saves. Instead of believing what the Word of God says about salvation and baptism, they associate their spiritual experince, salvation, with their physical experience, water baptism. Thus believing it was water baptism that saved them. Which is unscriptural.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

What matters is that before a person is baptized, they must be born again, saved from death through faith in Jesus Christ.

For what good is water baptism is the person has not been born again? The person enters the water a sinner and comes out of the water a sinner. Yet, there has been times when some entered the water, and have a change of heart, they become born again while receiving this baptism. That is why so many believe water baptism saves. Instead of believing what the Word of God says about salvation and baptism, they associate their spiritual experince, salvation, with their physical experience, water baptism. Thus believing it was water baptism that saved them. Which is unscriptural.

You need to look a little more closely at your Bible, the Bible itself says Baptism now Saves.