Full Question
Under what conditions may
I--a layman engaged in considerable private apologetic
discussions--baptize those I am helping bring into the Church?
Answer
Under nearly none. Canon 861 states that the "ordinary minister of
baptism is a bishop, priest, or deacon." As a layman, you aren't any of
these. Moreover, you do not claim to be "deputed for this function by
the local ordinary" in case the ordinary minister of baptism happens to
be impeded (also from CIC 861).
Indeed, canon 861 recognizes only one condition
under which you may baptize licitly: "in case of necessity." But this is
not nearly as wide-open as it might sound. "Necessity" is almost always
described by canonical experts as being present chiefly in cases of
mortal danger. Indeed, the Roman Ritual, in providing the text to be
used for baptism conferred by non-ordained ministers, opens by noting
that the so-called shortened rite is to be used only in cases of
"imminent danger of death."
I won't cite here the long list of other canons
likely violated by private baptism outside of danger-of-death situations
(though the curious might wish to consult, among others, canons 851,
853, 856, 857, and 866). Nor will I spend much time observing that,
however illicit such baptisms are, they are almost certainly valid,
assuming the use of water and the Trinitarian formula.
Instead, I would simply note that, according to
canon 878, "the minister of baptism, whoever it is, must inform the
pastor of the parish in which the baptism was administered." The reasons
for such a provision are obvious, but I would not relish being the one
required to report an illicit baptism to a pastor.
Answered by: Edward Peters
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