All that’s required for a valid baptism in an emergency is that the baptizer (a) has the intention to do what the Church requires, (b) uses the correct formula of words, and (c) performs the correct action of pouring water over the person. Therefore, the command to be baptized is not addressed to them. For an infant to be baptized licitly in a non-emergency situation, at least one of the parents (or a legal guardian) must give consent (c. 868.1 n. 1). It’s not so much a matter of who is qualified to baptize. After fighting a legal battle, she got a divorce and custody of the kids, whom my son is required to support. If you have a young child, you can see how impossible it is for a baby … canonlawmadeeasy@yahoo.com Yes, it was agreed that baptizing a baby against the parents’ will is valid. The Papal States were definitively conquered and forcibly annexed to the new nation of Italy only a few years later. Do not baptize a person while they are unconscious, unless they are dying and the caregiver requests it. The end-result of these extended discussions is canon 868.2. To begin with, there is no requirement that both parents have to agree about their child’s baptism. We don’t know the full story here. This means that in general, if both parents do not want their child baptized, it is not lawful for, let’s say, a grandmother or babysitter to baptize … Then anyone that person baptized would not be saved, etc. It is a common widespread practice for parents to baptize their children shortly after birth. When the child is older, sometimes (though not always!) Re-post: Can We Receive Holy Communion Twice on Christmas Day? John the Baptist baptized a baptism of repentance, but Jesus added repentance and faith or belief (Mark 1:14-15). Canon 868.1 n. 1 states clearly that for an infant to be baptized licitly, at least one of the parents must give consent. How Many Masses Can a Priest Say on Sundays? Given the clarity of the Church’s guidance on this point it might be best to celebrate the baptism of the baby as soon as possible, and later, if family is unable to attend, have a party to celebrate the child’s rebirth in Christ, sharing photos and videos of the event. It could be that a sort of “stealth baptism” by the father, at the children’s home, is the only alternative. She founded this website to provide clear answers to canonical questions asked by ordinary Catholics, without employing all the mysterious legalese that canon lawyers know and love. opposed to the notion that their child might be baptized in a Catholic hospital, the hospital staff can honor their wishes, even if the child is at death’s door. Canon 868.1 n. 1 states clearly that for an infant to be baptized licitly, at least one of the parents must give consent. A baby shouldn’t be baptized by anyone. 1 0. The baby’s mother is apparently uninterested in having him baptized, although the father wants the child to be baptized and clearly intends to try (even if only at a distance) to ensure that he is raised Catholic. Now, we all know that situations arise when (let’s say) a newborn infant has such grave health problems that his death appears imminent, or a child who has not yet been baptized falls so seriously ill that it is reasonably feared that he might die. None of the content of this website may be reproduced, either in whole or in part, without the advance written permission of the author. Little babies cannot do any of these things. c. 97.2). One the one hand, it is argued that baby baptism was pushed forward by the Roman Catholic Church under the statement that babies are born in sin. That’s why canon 861.2 states clearly that in case of necessity, any person with the requisite intention can perform a baptism, not just validly, but also licitly. Answer: There is nothing in the Bible that states who can and cannot baptize someone. Needless to say she isn’t raising the boys Catholic, so when my son visits them he takes them to Sunday Mass, and tries to teach them the catechism basics on his own as best he can. With all of this in mind, let’s now look at the role that parental authority plays in this equation. Does the Bible provide any details regarding who can perform a baptism? If you are a layperson, pay special attention to the following: Has anyone had their baby baptised before leaving hospital? (See “Can a Baby be Baptized Against the Parents’ Wishes?” for the Church’s current law in such a situation.). And custody of the sacraments, a Christian mother can baptize his son or daughter persons who lived the! So far away and travelling there is no requirement that both parents have to agree about their child s! Summary, the Church requires, that is required is the will to do what Church. 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