Article VII: On Those to Be Rebaptized Under Condition

164. Principles. - Baptism can and must be repeated under condition whenever there is some positive, serious, prudent, and not-to-be-despised doubt concerning its value: namely a doubt founded not in mere scruples but in reasons of some gravity, as always happens when Baptism was conferred in the womb while the head had not yet been put forth (can. 746, § 5); - but if positive and serious doubt is lacking, Baptism cannot be repeated without grave sin.

For in the first case the law of charity of procuring eternal salvation prevails over the law of religion which forbids exposing a sacrament to nullity; in the other case, to minister a sacrament to one incapable is sacrilege.

Because of the practical importance of these principles in sacred ministry, it is pleasing to apply them to various cases which occur.

165. Children baptized by midwives, physicians, or laypersons are not of themselves and indiscriminately to be rebaptized; - and in practice, because generally some suspicion is present, they are more often to be rebaptized, unless the testimony of the baptizer is confirmed by the testimony of educated witnesses, even of one worthy of faith, or unless he himself is wholly worthy of faith.

Therefore, where an altogether serious person, even a mere midwife, who is worthy of faith, circumspect, and instructed in the rite of baptizing, should assert that an infant was duly baptized by her, there would be no reason why doubt should seriously arise concerning the value of Baptism; yet confidence is not easily to be given to declarations of midwives, because often they do not dare to confess that they baptized badly, lest they lose the confidence of the parents, or because, on account of agitation or sometimes even of drunkenness, they were not self-possessed at that moment.

An examination is to be instituted concerning such Baptism, unless someone is certain that he cannot arrive at certitude, or knows that the mode of acting of the baptizer is doubtful, or the pastor who examined the matter or another person worthy of faith testifies that the Baptisms conferred are to be held doubtful, etc. Let the examination be instituted according to the norm indicated above, n. 141, 3.

166. Exposed children are to be baptized under condition, even if a little note is attached attesting their Baptism, unless certain notice is had of the person by whom the note was written, or unless it indicates who baptized. Whence can. 749: "Exposed and found infants, unless after diligent investigation concerning their Baptism it is established, are to be baptized under condition."

167. One who, educated among Christians, lacks written or oral testimony of Baptism can be considered and is presumed baptized in a region where absolutely all are baptized.

Yet if serious doubt should arise, from positive indications, on account of some circumstance, for example because the parents were indifferent or negligent, or led a wandering or altogether disturbed life at the time of birth, etc., let him be baptized under condition.

168. Baptism conferred by a heretic or schismatic is to be subjected to examination; which examination is to be instituted in individual cases, after consulting the bishop.

1. If Baptism has been judged valid, it is not renewed; but abjuration or profession of faith is received before two witnesses, and besides, for those who have reached puberty, absolution from censures in the external forum is given by the bishop or by a cleric specially delegated for this, and the sacrament of Penance is administered.

2. If Baptism was invalid, it is again conferred absolutely,¹ and no abjuration is made, nor is confession made, nor is absolution given.

¹ This is to be understood in order to reception into the Church; for in the case of mixed marriage Baptism is not repeated under condition if someone wished to remain in heresy: for in order to marriage, certitude concerning the value of Baptism received is not required (Holy Office, April 13, 1878).

3. If Baptism is doubtful, or if no inquiry can be instituted, or nothing can be found out concerning the value of the sacrament, it is to be presumed doubtful and repeated under condition (Holy Office, November 20, 1878).

In which case this order is to be observed:

1. abjuration or profession of faith, with absolution from censures in the external forum (for those who have reached puberty);

2. more fittingly then, hearing of sins and excitation to contrition;

3. conditional Baptism;

4. confession of sins, which, if it was made before Baptism, is to be repeated summarily, and conditional absolution.

Thus conformably to the Instruction of the Holy Office, July 20, 1859 and December 2, 1874.