Chapter II. The Minister of Confirmation

THE ordinary minister of Confirmation is a bishop, but the Pope may, and in the missions frequently does, delegate faculties to a priest to administer the sacrament with chrism blessed by a bishop. In other words, a bishop is the ordinary official in the hierarchy who has the power to admit Christians into the army of our Lord by confirming them, but the General of the army in special cases empowers a simple priest to do this. It is a disputed point whether the Pope could empower a simple priest to bless the chrism.

By law Cardinals, Abbots and Prelates of no diocese, Prefects and Vicars Apostolic have the faculty of giving Confirmation within their territory during their tenure of office (Can. 782, sec. 3).

A bishop may not give Confirmation outside his diocese without the leave of the bishop of the place; but within his diocese he may confirm all who come to him, whether they are his subjects or not, unless their own bishop has expressly forbidden it (Can. 783). A bishop is bound to give his subjects who have not been confirmed the opportunity of receiving the sacrament.

He must also be prepared to administer Confirmation when a reasonable request is made for it by any of the faithful subject to his charge.

In case the bishop himself is prevented from administering Confirmation he should provide that his subjects have the opportunity of receiving it at least every five years (Can. 785).