The Notation and Proof of Baptism

I. Notation. 1. Pastors must carefully and without any delay enter in the baptismal book the names of the baptized, with mention made of the minister, the parents and sponsors, and the place and day of the Baptism conferred (canon 777, § 1).

But where illegitimate children are concerned, the mother's name is to be inserted if her maternity is publicly established, or if she herself spontaneously asks this in writing or before two witnesses; likewise the name of the father, provided he himself spontaneously asks this of the pastor either in writing or before two witnesses, or is known from a public authentic document; in other cases the newborn is to be inscribed as the child of an unknown father or of unknown parents (canon 777, § 2). Moreover the Pontifical Commission responded¹ that the names of parents are to be inserted in such a way that every occasion of infamy is avoided; but in particular cases recourse must be had to the Sacred Congregation of the Council.

2. If Baptism was administered neither by the proper pastor nor in his presence, the minister should as soon as possible inform the pastor of the baptized person by reason of domicile concerning the Baptism conferred (canon 778). "If the baptized person lacks a domicile, the pastor of the quasi-domicile, or, if he was without fixed domicile, the pastor of the place of Baptism, seems to be the one to be informed."²

3. The use of the baptismal book is prescribed under grave obligation, regard being had, namely, to the grave end of the law, that is, the proof of Baptism received, which, if the baptismal register is lacking, would sometimes be impossible.

¹ 14 July 1922, reply to VIII (A.A.S. 1922, p. 528).

² Vermeersch-Creusen, Epitome, n. 55.

II. Proof. To prove Baptism conferred, if prejudice is done to no one, one witness beyond all exception suffices, or the oath of the baptized person himself, if he received Baptism in adult age (canon 779).

— Annotation of Baptism. "Pastors must diligently and without any delay record in the baptismal book the names of the baptized, mention having been made of the minister, parents and sponsors, of the place and day of conferred baptism" (c. 777, §1).

If he was an illegitimate child, the name of the mother is to be inserted, if her maternity is publicly certain, or she herself of her own accord asks this in writing or before two witnesses; likewise the name of the father, provided he himself of his own accord requests this from the pastor either in writing or before two witnesses, or is known from a public authentic document. In the other cases, let the one born be inscribed as the child of an unknown father or of unknown parents.

Therefore the annotation is to be made by the pastor even if another priest ministered baptism. For the pastor alone has the quality for making public faith concerning baptism. Yet if the matters were noted and signed by another hand, it will be enough that the pastor confirm the acts by his subscribed name.

If infamy of the parents of an illegitimate child seems likely to arise from annotation, the Sacred Congregation of the Council is to be approached, which is to establish what must be done (Commission for the Interpretation of the Code, July 14, 1922, response to VIII, Per., XI, 104).

The minister who, with the pastor absent, has baptized someone, should as soon as possible render certain the proper pastor of the baptized person by reason of domicile concerning the baptism conferred (c. 778).

If the baptized person lacks domicile, the pastor of quasi-domicile, or, if he was a vagrant, the pastor of the place of baptism, seems to be made certain.

— Proof of Baptism. If prejudice is done to no one, one witness above every exception, or the oath of the baptized person himself if he received baptism in adult age, is enough for proving baptism.

Therefore cases are to be distinguished. Proof which injures the utility of no one is admitted; fuller proof, on the contrary, is required if it concerns another person that the thing not have been done, as if nullity of matrimony should depend on it.

— I. Offspring must be baptized in the rite of the parents, that is, of the Catholic father, or of the Catholic parent if the other is non-Catholic; and by the ceremonies of baptism he is ascribed to that rite.

The rite of the approved Ritual must be observed under grave sin in grave matter. If certain ceremonies have been impeded, let those which can be used be used; let the others be supplied afterward in the Church. In baptism which because of danger of death is conferred at home, the ceremonies which precede baptism are to be omitted. Shorter and simpler ceremonies are prescribed in the baptism of infants than in the baptism of adults. But the local Ordinary can, for a serious cause, indulge that adults be baptized with the ceremonies of infants, and that converted heretics be baptized under condition without ceremonies.

If the pastor cannot obtain that a Christian name be imposed on one to be baptized, let him himself add the name of a saint to the name imposed by the parents, and let him write down both in the book of the baptized. The custom of always separating baptism from solemnities is reproved.

II. Under grave sin, where churches are had, solemn baptism must be conferred in a church or adjoining baptistery; and any parochial church whatever is now baptismal. But in an extraordinary case the local Ordinary can concede that which the law itself concedes, if they legitimately ask, to the children or grandchildren of those who actually hold supreme rulership or possess the right of succeeding to the throne, that is, that they be baptized at home.

III. Baptism can be conferred on any day. Infants are to be baptized as soon as possible and within the time established by the Ordinary. The same must be said of adults, whose baptism nevertheless is laudably reserved to be done in cathedral churches on the vigil of Easter and Pentecost.

IV. A godfather or godmother is as though another spiritual parent, who, after the parents, and therefore secondarily, during the spiritual infancy of the baptized person, must procure Christian instruction for him, insofar as he can, under grave sin, and have him perpetually commended. For value, he must be baptized, master of himself, and consenting; must belong to no non-Catholic sect, nor be excluded from legitimate acts, nor be a degraded or deposed cleric, nor father, mother, or spouse of the one to be baptized; must be designated by the one to be baptized, or by his parents or guardians, or, these failing, by the minister; must in the act of baptism, by himself or through a procurator, physically hold or touch the one to be baptized, or immediately raise or receive him from the font or from the hands of the baptizer.

Several others cannot licitly be sponsors, especially those who have not yet reached the 14th year of age, without the express assent of the minister; those ignorant of the rudiments of faith; novices or professed religious, unless necessity urges and with permission of the Superior; clerics in sacred orders, without express license of their own Ordinary; those infamous by law or fact.

In doubts let the Ordinary be consulted if it can be done; otherwise let the doubtful sponsor be kept away, or let one certainly fit be added by the minister.

A Catholic can never be sponsor in baptism conferred by a heretical minister.

One sponsor is required; and also in private baptism he is to be used; nor can more than one godfather and one godmother be used. When baptism is repeated under condition, let the same one who was used in the prior baptism be used; if he cannot be used, none is necessary.

If there was no sponsor in private baptism, a sponsor is to be used in supplying the ceremonies; but he contracts no spiritual relationship.

V. From baptism, at least solemn baptism, the baptizer and sponsor contract spiritual relationship with the baptized person; in private baptism, the baptizer with the baptized person. It is less certain whether also the sponsor does.

VI. The pastor himself must diligently and without delay annotate baptism in the baptismal book, or at least confirm by subscribed name an annotation made by another hand. Another minister must as soon as possible make certain the pastor absent, proper by reason of domicile, concerning the baptism conferred.

For proving baptism, one approved witness, or the oath of the baptized person in adult age, suffices if the proof brings prejudice to no one; otherwise fuller proof is required.

172. Observations concerning the notation and proof of Baptism. - 1. "Pastors ought diligently and without any delay to enter in the baptismal book the names of the baptized, mention having been made of the minister, parents and sponsors, and of the place and day of the Baptism conferred" (can. 777, § 1). The obligation of itself is grave; the inscription is personally incumbent upon the pastor, unless there is a reason excusing; in which case he should at least confirm it by signature.

2. "But where it is a matter of illegitimate children, the name of the mother is to be inserted if her maternity is publicly established, or if she of her own accord seeks this in writing or before two witnesses; likewise the name of the father, provided that he of his own accord seeks this from the pastor either in writing or before two witnesses, or is known from a public authentic document; in other cases let the born child be inscribed as the child of an unknown father or of unknown parents" (can. 777, § 2). The name of the parents is to be inscribed in such a way that every occasion of infamy is avoided; if infamy is foreseen, in particular cases recourse is to be had to the S. Congregation of the Council (Commission for Interpretation, July 14, 1922).

3. "If Baptism was administered neither by the proper pastor nor in his presence, the minister should as soon as possible inform the proper pastor by reason of domicile concerning the Baptism conferred" (can. 778). If the baptized person lacks domicile, the pastor of the quasi-domicile, if he is a vagus, the pastor of the place is to be informed.

4. "To prove conferred Baptism, if prejudice is done to no one, one witness beyond every exception is enough, or the oath of the baptized person himself, if he received Baptism in adult age" (can. 779). But if proof harms the right of someone, fuller proof is required, as if the nullity of matrimony depends on it: then, however, a qualified witness would suffice, e.g. a pastor who testifies concerning things done by himself from office (can. 1791, § 1).