Unconscious Baptism

[sean_reed]

What would be the church’s stance on this situation?

“For a long time my [adult] friend suffered from a high fever and lay unconscious in a sweat that looked like death. When they despaired of his recovery, he was baptized. He knew nothing of this himself, and I paid little attention to the fact of his baptism. I assumed that his soul… would not be affected by something done to his body while he was unconscious. But it turned out very differently.” (The Confessions of St. Augustine, Book IV, Chapter 4)

Is his mortal sin forgiven even if he isn’t a catecumen?

 

[Brendan]

That was certainly a Valid Baptism, his soul is irrevocably marked as belonging to Christ.

All sins he had committed, and the temporal punishment due for them, were remitted in that Baptism.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

sean reed:

What would be the church’s stance on this situation?

“For a long time my [adult] friend suffered from a high fever and lay unconscious in a sweat that looked like death. When they despaired of his recovery, he was baptized. He knew nothing of this himself, and I paid little attention to the fact of his baptism. I assumed that his soul… would not be affected by something done to his body while he was unconscious. But it turned out very differently.” (The Confessions of St. Augustine, Book IV, Chapter 4)

Is his mortal sin forgiven even if he isn’t a catecumen?

At adult Baptism ALL sins are forgiven. The effectiveness of adult Baptism lies in a desire for Baptism. If it is known that the person wanted or would have wanted Baptism they should be Baptized even though they are unconscious.

 

[sean_reed]

But it you continue to read the text in the Confessions it seems like Augustine’s friend was mad that he was baptized without his consent.

If someone is an unbeliever and not a catechumen and is baptized without their consent while they are unconsious does it still “count”?

 

[cameron_lansing]

sean reed:

But it you continue to read the text in the Confessions it seems like Augustine’s friend was mad that he was baptized without his consent.

If someone is an unbeliever and not a catechumen and is baptized without their consent while they are unconsious does it still “count”?

Canon 865 * reflects the view that an intention to be baptized is required, and this is understood to be a requirement for validity. Some act of the will is necessary. This can be an habitual act of the will - the person has expressed that desire while conscious and not revoked it. So an unconscious person who desires baptism can be validly baptized. But the intention must have been shown in some way.

However, it is universally held by approved canonists and theologians that those who have attained the use of reason cannot be baptized validly against their will. The grace and gifts of God must be voluntarily received. After God doesn’t compel salvation, but offers choice.

*”§1. To be baptized, it is required (in Latin, possit) that an adult have manifested the will to receive baptism, be sufficiently instructed in the truths of faith and in Christian obligations and be tested in the Christian life by means of the catechumenate; the adult is also to be exhorted to have sorrow for personal sins. §2. An adult in danger of death may be baptized if, having some knowledge of the principal truths of faith, the person has in any way manifested an intention of receiving baptism and promises to observe the commandments of the Christian religion.”

 

[dulcissima]

It is interesting to compare that passage from St Augustine, with this passage from Mark:

Mark 2: 3-11:
3And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men.
4Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying.
5And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven."
6But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,
7"Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?"
8Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, “Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts?
9"Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’; or to say, ‘Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk’?
10"But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”–He said to the paralytic,
11"I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home

Notice that the paralytic did not ask himself to be cured or have his sins forgiven. Four men did it on his behalf, and the effect was that his sins were forgiven. It is something to think about, and a powerful reminder about the value of intercession.