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Q. Is it appropriate in baptizing an infant or small child in ordinary circumstances to pour water over the child's knees or feet and not over the head? (Ohio)
A. The three main sources for correct Catholic practice of baptism are the Rite of Baptism, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and canon law. Canon No. 854 says simply that baptism is to be conferred by immersion of the person into the water or pouring water over the person.
According to the baptism ritual (18.2), the sacrament is performed by washing with water by way of immersion or pouring, according to local custom. The RCIA is more explicit. If the individual is baptized by immersion, the whole body or the head only is immersed. If the water is poured, it is poured three times over the bowed head (No. 226).
Many prominent authors of sacramental theology have held that baptism of another major part of the body rather than the head (such as the breast or shoulders) is most probably valid, and the baptism would not need to be repeated.
All this notwithstanding, the church's principle is that in administering the sacraments the safest opinion should govern what we do. For baptism, this means that the head is immersed, or water is poured over it, as the baptism words are spoken.
In emergencies, of course, one does what is possible, and we shouldn't worry about it.
Q. St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians speaks about baptism for the dead. What is that, and how would one be baptized for someone who has died? (Ohio)
A. In his first letter to the Corinthians St. Paul describes how belief in the resurrection, Jesus Christ's and our own, is essential to Christian faith. If Christ is not raised, he wrote, our whole religion is absurd. "In Christ shall all be brought to life" (15:22).
At one point he introduces a puzzling argument. If we are not raised from the dead, "What will people accomplish by having themselves baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are they (Christians still alive) having themselves baptized for them (the dead)?" (15:29).
This perplexing verse has provoked endless speculation. Some scholars maintain the passage is not authentic. Baptizing the living for the dead is so foreign to Paul's theology, they claim, he would never have alluded to such a practice, even as an argument.
The predominant interpretation, however, seems to be that some early Christians did have themselves baptized for deceased non-Christians for reasons unknown to us. This is not to say that St. Paul promoted or approved the practice.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) follows a practice of baptizing living members for deceased ancestors, a custom which grows out of a theology of faith and salvation totally alien to Christian tradition.
God has told us much about how his grace flows through baptism and the other sacraments, but he has not told us everything. Certainly God is not limited by the sacraments.
Catholic belief is that God has his own ways of reaching unbaptized persons with his saving grace, and we do not need to resort to this sort of sacramental gymnastics to assure the opportunity for his grace to be effective for every human being.
(A free brochure in English or Spanish, answering questions Catholics ask about baptism practices and sponsors, is available by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Father John Dietzen, Box 3315, Peoria, IL 61612. Questions may be sent to Father Dietzen at the same address, or e-mail:
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Father John Dietzen writes his column for Catholic News Service from his home in Peoria.
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June 29, 2008 Issue - To the Ends of the Earth Missions Insert
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