Folia Canonica 11. (2008)

PROCEEDINGS OF TENTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. "Questioni attuali intorno al Battesimo" Budapest, 4th February 2008 - Michael Carragher: Intention of the Minister as Substantive Element of Baptism

FOLIA CANONICA 11 (2008) 207-228.

MICHAEL CARRAGHER

INTENTION OF THE MINISTER AS SUBSTANTIVE ELEMENT OF BAPTISM

Summary: A. What is a sacrament? What is the sacrament of Baptism? B. Intention; C. Minister: ordinary requirements; 1. Do what the church intends and does is the OVERRIDING PRINCIPLE; 2. HUMAN ACT; 3. MORAL ACT, TRUTHFUL EVEN IF SINFUL; 4. JURIDIC act; 5 Matter; 6. Form; 7. Liturgical act; 8. Ecclésial act; 9. What degree of intention?; D. Minister, otherworldly and exceptional: angel, devil, pagan, heretic, unbeliever; 1. May an angel baptize?; 2. May the devil baptize?; 3. May a pagan baptize?; 4. May a heretic baptize?; 5. Whether several ministers can baptize the same person simultaneously? 6. Can a minister baptize several people simultaneously?; 7. May one minister pronounce the words and another minister pour the water?; 8. May a disabled person baptize?; 9. May one unbaptized minister baptize another unbaptized minister?; 10. May a person baptize himself?; 11. May a minister baptize the children OF UNBELIEVERS?; 12. MAY A MINISTER BAPTIZE THE CHILDREN OF UNWILLING PARENTS?; 13. MAY A MINISTER BAPTIZE THE UNBORN?; 14. MAY A MINISTER FORCE THE PREMATURE BIRTH OF THE UNBORN IN ORDER TO BAPTIZE?; 15. MAY A MINISTER BAPTIZE A PERSON NON SUI COMPOS?;

16. May a minister baptize notorious sinners?; 17. May an evil minister baptize?; 18. May a minister baptize in jest?; 19. What is the difference between intention and attention?

This introductory canon, canon 834, §1, provides a useful starting point and theological context and specifically mentions what is appropriate to each sacrament.

Munus sanctificandi Ecclesia peculiari modo adimplet per sacram liturgiám, quae quidem habetur ut Iesu Christi muneris sacerdotalis exercitatio, in qua hominum sanctificatio per signa sensibilia significatur ac modo singulis propria efficitur, atque a mystico Iesu Christi Corpore, Capite nempe et membris, integer cultus Dei publicus execetur.