On the Sacraments in General

"In certain places some (heretics) baptize with due matter and form, applied simultaneously, but expressly warn those to be baptized not to believe that Baptism has any effect on the soul; for they say that it is a merely external sign of the aggregation of those of their Sect. And so they often turn Catholics into mockery concerning their faith about the effects of Baptism, which indeed they call superstitious. It is asked: 1. Whether Baptism administered by those heretics is doubtful because of defect of intention of doing what Christ willed, if it has been expressly declared by the minister, before he baptizes, that Baptism has no effect on the soul? 2. Whether Baptism so conferred is doubtful, if the aforesaid declaration was not expressly made immediately before Baptism was conferred, but it was often pronounced by the minister, and that doctrine is openly preached in that Sect? Resp. To the 1st, negatively; because, notwithstanding the error as regards the effects of Baptism, the intention of doing what the Church does is not excluded. To the 2nd, provision has been made in the first." S. I. C. 18 Dec. 1872. Cf. Benedict XIV, De Syn. Dioec., bk. 7, ch. 6, n. 9; Innocent IV, chap. 2, On Baptism, n. 9; Bellarmine, On the Sacraments in General, bk. 1, ch. 27, n. 13.

"How should Parish Priests conduct themselves in the celebration of the marriages of those who have notoriously fallen into Ecclesiastical censures? Resp. Care is to be taken according to one's strength that those bound by Ecclesiastical censures be reconciled with the Church in due manner; but if they refuse to be reconciled, and, unless the marriage is celebrated, grave evils seem thence to threaten, let the Parish Priest consult the Ordinary, who, having considered the account of things and circumstances, and having weighed all the things which are handed down by approved authors and especially by St. Alphonsus, bk. 6, tr. 1, ch. 2, n. 34, should declare those things which he shall judge in the Lord to be more expedient, the celebration of Mass always nevertheless excluded." S. Poenit. 10 Dec. 1860.

"Likewise, how should Bishops conduct themselves, if any of the above-mentioned persons bound by censure should present themselves, that he may act as Sponsor either in the sacrament of Confirmation or of Baptism? Resp. As in the preceding." S. Poenit. 10 Dec. 1860.

"Whether the Most Holy Eucharist can be ministered to those notoriously bound by censure before they have first, as is fitting, been reconciled with the Church? Resp. Negatively." S. Poenit. 10 Dec. 1860. Cf. Acta S. Sed. Vol. 1, p. 563.