Conditional baptism
Encyclopedia
Mainline Christian theology (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant) has traditionally held that only one baptism
is valid to confer the benefits of this sacrament. In particular, the Council of Trent
defined a dogma
that it is forbidden to baptize a person who is already baptized, because baptism makes an indelible mark
on the soul. Therefore, in cases where the validity of a baptism is in doubt, a "conditional" baptism may be performed.
Such uncertainty may result from questions about whether the Triune name of God
was used by the person administering the baptism. In some cases, there are doubts about whether a church from which someone is converting baptizes in a valid manner. For example, the Catholic Church has said that the validity of baptisms in the LDS Church and in some other communions is doubtful. Another example of a case requiring conditional baptism would be where an emergency baptism
has been performed, if impure water was used the validity of the baptism may be in question. In that case a conditional baptism is later performed by an ordinary minister of the sacrament with certainly valid matter.
In a typical baptism, the minister of the sacrament (in the Catholic Church usually a deacon or a priest, but sometimes, especially when the baptized is in imminent danger of death, a lay person) says
while pouring water upon the head of the one being baptized, or immersing him or her in water. In a conditional baptism, the minister of the sacrament says
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
is valid to confer the benefits of this sacrament. In particular, the Council of Trent
Council of Trent
The Council of Trent was the 16th-century Ecumenical Council of the Roman Catholic Church. It is considered to be one of the Church's most important councils. It convened in Trent between December 13, 1545, and December 4, 1563 in twenty-five sessions for three periods...
defined a dogma
Dogmatic definition
In Catholicism, a dogmatic definition is an extraordinary infallible statement published by a pope or an ecumenical council concerning a matter of faith or morals, the belief in which the Catholic Church requires of all Christians .The term most often refers to the infallible...
that it is forbidden to baptize a person who is already baptized, because baptism makes an indelible mark
Sacramental character
According to Roman Catholic Church teaching, a sacramental character is an indelible spiritual mark imprinted by three of the seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders....
on the soul. Therefore, in cases where the validity of a baptism is in doubt, a "conditional" baptism may be performed.
Such uncertainty may result from questions about whether the Triune name of God
Trinitarian formula
The trinitarian formula is the phrase "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" , or words to that form and effect referring to the three persons of the Christian Trinity.- Biblical origin :...
was used by the person administering the baptism. In some cases, there are doubts about whether a church from which someone is converting baptizes in a valid manner. For example, the Catholic Church has said that the validity of baptisms in the LDS Church and in some other communions is doubtful. Another example of a case requiring conditional baptism would be where an emergency baptism
Emergency baptism
An emergency baptism is a baptism administered to a person in imminent danger of death. This can be done by a person not normally authorized to administer the sacrament.-Latin Rite:...
has been performed, if impure water was used the validity of the baptism may be in question. In that case a conditional baptism is later performed by an ordinary minister of the sacrament with certainly valid matter.
In a typical baptism, the minister of the sacrament (in the Catholic Church usually a deacon or a priest, but sometimes, especially when the baptized is in imminent danger of death, a lay person) says
- I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy SpiritTrinitarian formulaThe trinitarian formula is the phrase "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" , or words to that form and effect referring to the three persons of the Christian Trinity.- Biblical origin :...
while pouring water upon the head of the one being baptized, or immersing him or her in water. In a conditional baptism, the minister of the sacrament says
- If you are not yet baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.