Case IX: Communion of a Newly Baptized Convert

A young Hebrew, Baruch, makes the acquaintance of Bertha, a Catholic girl, and offers to marry her. She refuses unless he agrees to embrace the Catholic faith. He is willing, and after receiving instructions he becomes actually convinced of the truth of the Catholic belief and is desirous of being baptized, this to be followed by marriage with Bertha. The baptism takes place on the eve of the marriage. Both wish to receive Holy Communion on their wedding-day. To the officiating priest, however, Communion without previous Confession appears a novelty not to be countenanced, and he demands Confession from Baruch. As the newly baptized convert can not think of a sin since his just received baptism, the priest makes him confess some sins of his former life, and then gives him absolution.

What is to be said about this case?

Answer.

1. A conversion on account of marriage is to be treated with the greatest precaution, and while the applicant wishing to become a "convert for such reason must not be refused, he should be carefully examined. Even a worldly reason may lead to true conversion.

2. A candidate for baptism must, before receiving this sacrament, confess to the Catholic faith; he must also awaken contrition for his sins, and must affirm his resolution and give promise to lead a true Christian life, but he does not have to confess his sins. Upon true repentance these are forgiven him in the sacrament of Baptism and do not need absolution by the priest.

3. An adult, who receives baptism after being sufficiently instructed, should in accordance with old established practice of the Church receive Holy Communion immediately, without Confession.

4. The demand of a confession from Baruch shows lack of knowledge on the part of the priest, the more so as he let the newly baptized one confess some sins from his previous life so as to be able to give him sacramental absolution. Sins committed before baptism are no matter for absolution any more than they are for confession; such absolution is invalid and—unless excused on account of ignorance—sacrilegious, just as sacrilegious as if one would pronounce the words of consecration over water with intention to change the water into the Holy Eucharist.