Xxvi. Of Those Who Can Receive The Sacrament Of Baptism; And Of Its Necessity For All
XXVI. OF THOSE WHO CAN RECEIVE THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM; AND OF ITS NECESSITY FOR ALL
(A)
Are all men bound to receive Baptism?
Yes, they are absolutely bound to receive Baptism; for if an adult is able to receive it and yet does not, through his own fault, he cannot be saved. The reason is because by Baptism we are incorporated with Jesus Christ; but since Adam's sin no man can be saved unless he be incorporated with Jesus Christ (LXVIII. 1-2).
But do not faith and charity suffice to be incorporated with Jesus Christ by grace in order to be saved?
Without doubt, except that faith cannot be sincere, and charity or grace cannot be in the soul if a man separate them from Baptism through his own fault, for Baptism is the sacrament of faith and produces the first grace in the soul which unites us to Jesus Christ (LXVIII. 2).
Can then one receive Baptism in the state of sin, whether it be question of original sin which is the case for all or of personal grave sins in addition?
Yes; and for this reason Baptism is called the sacrament of the dead, for it does not presuppose grace in the soul as do the sacraments of the living; indeed its proper effect is to give the life of grace to those who have it not. If, however, it be question of adults who have committed mortal sins, in order for them to receive Baptism with fruit, they should renounce all affection for sin (LXVIII. 4).
(B)
In the case of adults must there be intention to receive Baptism?
Yes, otherwise the sacrament is null and void (LXVIII. 7).
Must they also have true faith?
Yes, if they would receive the grace of the sacrament; but not if they would receive the sacrament itself and its character only (LXVIII. 8).
In the case of infants, who can have neither faith nor intention, can they be baptized?
Yes, for the Church or those who bring them for Baptism supply both faith and intention in their case (LXVIII. 9).
May one bring infants to Church for Baptism against the will of the parents when these parents are Jews or pagans?
No, one may not do this; and if one do this one commits sin, for to act thus is to run counter to the dictates of the natural law in virtue of which a child, until able to look after itself, is in the custody of its parents. But if the child in spite of the parents be baptized, the Baptism is valid; and the Church has over this child all the rights in the supernatural order which are the consequence of Baptism (LXVIII. 10).
(C)
May one baptize the babe that is in danger of death in the mother's womb?
No, for until the babe is born it is not part of the society of men, in such wise that it comes under their action as regards the reception of the sacraments; one should in such a case recommend the babe to God and leave it to His care (LXVIII. 11, Obj. 1).
Infants that are born and die, and who do not receive Baptism, will they be saved?
No, they cannot be saved; for there is only one means of being incorporated with Jesus Christ and of receiving His grace, without which there is no salvation among men (LXVIII. 3).
(D)
May one baptize adults who are deprived of the use of their reason, such as idiots and those that are mad?
If they have never had the use of reason they must be treated as infants, and consequently can be baptized. But if they have had the use of reason, they cannot be baptized whilst they are in the state of insanity unless they shall have manifested some desire to be baptized in the past when they were in their right mind (LXVIII. 12).