Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Proof and
Registration
Can. 872 - 878
Godparents
Godparents/Sponsors either assist the person in Christian initiation (adult baptism) or
present the child for baptism, and to help it to live a Christian life befitting the baptized
and faithfully to fulfill the duties inherent in baptism (infant baptism).
2.) be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated
by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that
there is a just reason for an exception to be made;
3.) be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist,
and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;
5.) not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptized.
Godparents
• As much as possible, only Catholics who have received
the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Penance and
Holy Eucharist, and who are mature enough to undertake
this responsibility should be chosen as godparents for
Baptism. They should also know their faith and live up to
the duties of their religion.
If it concerns a child born to an unmarried mother, the name of the mother must be
inserted, if her maternity is established publicly or if she seeks it willingly in
writing or before two witnesses. Moreover, the name of the father must be
inscribed if a public document or his own declaration before the pastor and two
witnesses proves his paternity; in other cases, the name of the baptized is
inscribed with no mention of the name of the father or the parents.
If the baptism was not administered by the pastor or in his presence, the minister of
baptism, whoever it is, must inform the pastor of the parish in which it was
administered of the conferral of the baptism, so that he records the baptism.
Baptism of Converts
• Converts are "baptized absolutely" after a careful inquiry reveals that they have
never been validly baptized. If the inquiry reveals some doubt as to the validity
of a former Baptism, converts are "baptized conditionally"
• Christian Distinctions
– Christians who separated themselves from Rome historically through schism or
heresy. Separated brethren have valid Baptisms. This means that they are
authentic Christians even if they do not have 100% of the depositum fidei (the
content of Revelation).
– Christian churches, whose members claim that they are also followers of Christ.
However, they have altered the original message of Christ substantially, so that
in fact most of them are just Christians in name. The most common error of these
sects is the denial of the divinity of Christ. Such sects administer some type of
baptism which is not valid. Strictly speaking they are not real Christians.
“
Formal Abjuration and Solemn
Profession of the Catholic Faith:
• Validly baptized converts are required to make a Formal Abjuration
of their past errors and a Solemn Profession of the Catholic Faith. If
believed advisable, the ceremonies of the Catholic Baptism (without
the Sacramental Ablution or Baptism proper) may be supplied.
• Abjuration
– kneel before the priest in front of the altar,
– place his right hand upon the Book of the Gospels (New Testament, complete
Bible, or Lectionary) held by the priest,
– solemnly read his Abjuration.
Converts
• Converts who have to receive
Conditional Baptism
• “If you are not yet baptized, I baptize you in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
• The following churches are usually considered to administer a valid Baptism in the
Philippines:
– Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP)
– United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP)
– United Methodist Church in the Philippines (UMCP)
– Convention of the Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC)
– Presbyterian Church
– Seventh Day Adventist Church
• Baptism of Ships
Non-religious Baptism
• Although even the use of water is often absent, the term
baptism is also used for various initiations as rite of
passage to a walk of secular life.
• In the Flemish variety of Dutch, for example, one word
for academic hazing is schachtendoop ('pledge
baptism'), while it generally involved more soiling
("baptizing" with objects such as rotten food) and other
abuse than cleansing.
Grace of Baptism
Grace of Baptism
• 1262 - The different effects of Baptism are
signified by the perceptible elements of
the sacramental rite. Immersion in water
symbolizes not only death and purification,
but also regeneration and renewal. Thus
the two principal effects are purification
from sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.
For the forgiveness of sins
• By Baptism all sins are forgiven:
• In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would
impede their entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam's
sin, nor personal sin, nor the consequences of sin, the gravest
of which is separation from God.
• Duties/responsibilities
– called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the
Church, and
– to “obey and submit" to the Church's leaders, holding them in respect
and affection.
• The Holy Spirit has marked us with the seal of the Lord
("Dominicus character") "for the day of redemption.”