What would you do?

[DreadVandal]

If you knew for a fact that your baptism was not valid but the Church refused to give you a conditional baptism: what would you do?

For example, if it is a fact that pronouncing the words “I baptize…” before actually administering of immersion is not valid, and one was baptized that way, then one does not have a valid baptism. One requests a conditional baptism and is refused.

 

[edward_george]

Why would the Church refuse a conditional baptism? And as I understand it, it still constitutes a valid baptism to say “I baptise you in the name of” before the water is administered, and then the water is poured or the candidate is immersed on the words “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

-ACEGC

 

[msproule]

From Canon Law:
Can. 869 §1. If there is a doubt whether a person has been baptized or whether baptism was conferred validly and the doubt remains after a serious investigation, baptism is to be conferred conditionally.
§2. Those baptized in a non-Catholic ecclesial community must not be baptized conditionally unless, after an examination of the matter and the form of the words used in the conferral of baptism and a consideration of the intention of the baptized adult and the minister of the baptism, a serious reason exists to doubt the validity of the baptism.
I have never known that saying “I baptize…” before immersion or pouring the water is invalid. Is this true or is this the concern you have? If I recall from another thread, you were standing in the water, were you not? I am no expert, but I see no reason why this would invalidate the baptism.

Is it the parish priest who has concluded that a conditional baptism is unnecessary or rather is it the Bishop? If it is the former, I hate to say it but simply try asking another priest…

 

[urbana]

First, I would restate my concerns to the Church, making sure the Church knows why I am certain my baptism was invalid, to make sure I was properly diligent.

If the Church still said that I was validly baptized, I would yield my judgement to the Church. God’s will for me is to obey the legitimate authority He established over me. I cannot believe that God would be upset at me for yielding my will to His Church, as He told me to do.

 

[SummaTheo]

Baptism of desire.

 

[DreadVandal]

Thanks everyone. I’m sure that all of you are right. I think I was having a panic attack. I have heard that a baptism where the words are said separately from the pouring or immersing in water is of questionable validity. My obsessive compulsive disorder is just acting up.

 

[puzzleannie]

DreadVandal:

If you knew for a fact that your baptism was not valid but the Church refused to give you a conditional baptism: what would you do?

who is “the Church?” The bishop of the diocese is the one to determine if the baptism of someone seeking to enter the Catholic Church is valid. Relate all the facts and details of your baptism to him or to the person he designates. If he says it is valid, then it is valid. Part of accepting full communion with the Catholic Church is submission to her authority. If you reject it on the matter of your baptism you will hardly be accepting it in other areas.