Validity of sacraments despite doubt

[sw85]

Hello all,

Question: What are the circumstances under which the validity of a sacrament may be called into question? Obviously, for instance, baptism is invalid in cases of duress (e.g., being plunged head-long into the font while struggling), but at what point does duress take hold? If one is threatened with physical force into doing it? If one is subject to strong social pressure to do it (from parents or others)? If one does it despite doubts? etc.

I ask this on behalf of a friend of mine, a lapsed Catholic who was confirmed despite grave misgivings about the Catholicism that she expressed to both parents and priests, who insisted she be confirmed anyway. (Naturally, she fell away from the Church, but has doubts about the validity of her confirmation).

 

[1ke]

Hello all,

Question: What are the circumstances under which the validity of a sacrament may be called into question? Obviously, for instance, baptism is invalid in cases of duress (e.g., being plunged head-long into the font while struggling), but at what point does duress take hold? If one is threatened with physical force into doing it? If one is subject to strong social pressure to do it (from parents or others)? If one does it despite doubts? etc.

If a person over the age of reason presents themselves for baptism, their profession of faith is presumed to match their interior disposition. IOW, they present themselves, they make a profession of faith, they respond “baptism” when asked what they ask of the Church.

The Church would certainly have to do an investigation of the validity of a baptism in which a person refused to give consent, was struggling to get away, and was forcibly baptized anyway.

But, one who had “social pressure” but approached the Church freely and made a profession of faith would certainly be valid (the Church has ruled many times regarding this, for example the conversos/conversas of Spain-- those non-Christians who converted for social and economic advantage. They were still ruled to have valid baptism and be Catholics). I would find it hard to believe the Church would rule any such baptism “invalid”.

I ask this on behalf of a friend of mine, a lapsed Catholic who was confirmed despite grave misgivings about the Catholicism that she expressed to both parents and priests, who insisted she be confirmed anyway. (Naturally, she fell away from the Church, but has doubts about the validity of her confirmation).

Confirmation and baptism are not the same thing.

Once you are baptized, you are a Catholic. And, all Catholic are *obligated *to be confirmed upon the call of the Bishop. Confirmation is the work of the bishop and the Holy Spirit, not the person being confirmed. It is their baptism being confirmed. It is not anything they do, it is 100% the bishop. The form and matter are laying on of hands and the words of the Bishop, “receive the Holy Spirit”. Certainly she may have received diminished graces if she approached confirmation in mortal sin or with contempt. But, yes, it is valid.

 

[ProVobis]

Once you are baptized, you are a Catholic.

If baptized by a priest or deacon. One could be baptized by a layman or Protestant minister and it would be perfectly valid as well, provided the Church (Christian) formula is used.

 

[1ke]

If baptized by a priest or deacon. One could be baptized by a layman or Protestant minister and it would be perfectly valid as well, provided the Church (Christian) formula is used.

Oh, for heaven’s sake. The OP’s question is about a Catholic.