Chapter — 1917 Code of Canon Law
Chapter VI: Of the Notation and Proof of Baptism Conferred
Superseded as law in 1983 — read why this Code still matters. Each canon links to its 1983 counterpart.
§ 1. Pastors must carefully and without any delay enter the names of those baptized in the baptismal book, with mention made of the minister, the parents and sponsors, and the place and day of the baptism conferred.
§ 2. But where there is question of illegitimate children, the name of the mother is to be inserted if her maternity is publicly clear, or she herself seeks this of her own accord in writing or before two witnesses; likewise the name of the father, provided that he himself of his own accord requests this from the pastor either in writing or before two witnesses, or is known from a public authentic document; in other cases the one born is to be inscribed as the child of an unknown father or of unknown parents.
§ 1. Parochi debent nomina baptizatorum, mentione facta de ministro, parentibus ac patrinis, de loco ac die collati baptismi, in baptismali libro sedulo et sine ulla mora referre.
§ 2. Ubi vero de illegitimis filiis agatur, matris nomen est inserendum, si publice eius maternitas constet, vel ipsa sponte sua scripto vel coram duobus testibus id petat; item nomen patris, dummodo ipse sponte sua a parocho vel scripto vel coram duobus testibus id requirat, vel ex publico authentico documento sit notus; in ceteris casibus inscribatur natus tanquam filius patris ignoti vel ignotorum parentum.
1983 Code correlation: can. 877
If baptism was administered neither by the proper pastor nor in his presence, the minister is to inform as soon as possible the proper pastor of the baptized person by reason of domicile concerning the baptism conferred.
Si baptismus nec a proprio parocho nec eo praesente administratus fuerit, minister de ipso collato quamprimum proprium ratione domicilii parochum baptizati certiorem reddat.
1983 Code correlation: can. 878
To prove the baptism conferred, if prejudice is done to no one, one witness beyond every exception is sufficient, or the oath of the baptized person himself, if he received baptism in adult age.
Ad collatum baptismum comprobandum, si nemini fiat praeiudicium, satis est unus testis omni exceptione maior, vel ipsius baptizati iusiurandum, si ipse in adulta aetate baptismum receperit.
1983 Code correlation: can. 876