of this Sacrament, not by any extraordinary concession of power, but by right of office; for to them, in the persons of the Apostles, was addressed the command: " Go, baptize." [1] Bishops, it is true, not to neglect the more weighty charge of instructing the faithful, generally leave its administration to priests; but the authority of the Fathers, [2] and the usage of the Church, prove that priests exercise this function of the ministry by a right inherent in the priestly order, a right which authorises them to baptize even in presence of the bishop. Ordained to consecrate the Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of peace and unity, [3] it is necessary that they be invested with power to administer all those things, which are required to enable others to participate of that peace and unity. If, therefore, the Fathers have at any time said, that without the leave of the bishop, the priest has not power to baptize; they are to be understood to speak of that baptism only, which was administered on certain days of the year with solemn ceremonies.
Deacons by Next to bishops and priests, are deacons, for whom, as permission. namerous decrees of the holy Fathers attest, it is not lawful, without the permission of the bishop or priest to administer baptism. [4]
Those who may administer baptism, in case of necessity, but without its solemn ceremonies, hold the third and last place; and in this class are included all, even the laity, men and women, to whatever sect they may belong. This power extends, in case of necessity, even to Jews, infidels, and heretics; provided, however, they intend to do what the Catholic Church does in that act of her ministry. Already established by the decrees of the ancient Fathers and Councils, these things have been again confirmed by the Council of Trent, which denounces anathema against those who presume to say, " that baptism, even when administered by heretics, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with the intention of doing what the Church does, is not true baptism." [5]
And here let us admire the supreme goodness and wisdom of our Lord, who, seeing the necessity of this Sacrament for all, not only instituted water, than which nothing can be more common as its matter; but also placed its administration within the jurisdiction of all. In its administration, however, as we have already observed, all are not allowed to use the solemn ceremonies; not that rites and ceremonies are of higher dignity, but because they are of inferior necessity to the Sacrament. Let not the faithful, however, imagine that this office is given promiscuously to all, so as to supersede the propriety of observing a certain order amongst those who administer baptism: when a man is present, a woman; when a clerk, a layman;
- ↑ Matt, xxviii. 19.
- ↑ Isid. lib. 2. de offic. Eccles. cap. 4.
- ↑ 1 Cor. x. 17.
- ↑ Distinct. 93. cap. 13.
- ↑ Trid. sess. 7. can. de consec. dist. 4. cap. 24. Aug. lib. 7. contra Donalist. cap 5]. et ibid. lib. 3. cap. 10. et lib. 2. contra Parmen. et Council. Lat. cap. 1. et Cone. Florent in deer. Eugenii.
