Chapter V: Of the Time and Place of Conferring Baptism

Infants are to be baptized as soon as possible; and pastors and preachers are frequently to remind the faithful concerning this grave obligation of theirs.

Private baptism, when necessity urges, is to be administered at any time and place.

Even solemn baptism can be administered on any day; nevertheless it is fitting that the baptism of adults, according to the most ancient rite of the Church, be conferred, if it can conveniently be done, on the vigil of Easter and of Pentecost, especially in metropolitan or cathedral churches.

The proper place for administering solemn baptism is the baptistery in a church or public oratory.

§ 1. Every parochial church, any contrary statute, privilege, or custom being revoked and reprobated, is to have a baptismal font, with the legitimate cumulative right already acquired by other churches preserved.

§ 2. The local Ordinary can, for the convenience of the faithful, permit or command that a baptismal font be placed also in another church or public oratory within the boundaries of the parish.

If the person to be baptized cannot, on account of the distance of places or other circumstances, without grave inconvenience or danger, approach or be transferred to the parochial church or to another which enjoys the right of font, solemn baptism can and must be conferred by the pastor in the nearest church or public oratory within the boundaries of the parish, although these lack a baptismal font.

§ 1. In private homes, however, solemn baptism must not be administered except in these circumstances:

1° If those to be baptized are children or grandchildren of those who actually hold supreme rule of peoples or have the right of succeeding to the throne, whenever they have duly requested it.

2° If the local Ordinary, according to his prudent judgment and conscience, has judged for a just and reasonable cause that this is to be granted in some extraordinary case.

§ 2. In the aforementioned cases baptism is to be conferred in the chapel of the house or at least in another decent place, and with baptismal water blessed in the customary manner.