ON BAPTISM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 35, 21 December 1888, Page 27

ON BAPTISM.

106. We cxho;t all pastors to erect without delay Baptismal fonts, under lock an 1 key, in all the churches, accordiug to a pattern

to be furnished by us. This Sacrament should always be administered in the Church, unless the child be in danger of death, or unless the difficulty of the journey, the distance of the place, such as three miles or more, or any other reasonable cause demand otherwise. We forbid that any one be admitted as sponsor, who is not a Catholic of good repute, and of blameless life. Priests must bear in mind that in the administration of the Sacrament of Baptism, heretics are on no account to be received as godfathers or godmothers ; and they must w-*rn the faithful that they are absolutely forbidden to undertake this office for the children of non-Catholics about to be baptized by a heterodox minister.

107. Ihe prayers and ceremonies which were on[any account omitted must be supplied afterwards.

108. Every priest is bound, whenever it can be done, to register, according to the form prescribed in the Roman Ritual, the name of the child or person baptised, the name* of the parents and sponsors, as well aa the day, month, and year of birth and bapcism, in a book which be shall keep for the purpose. We wish to warn those priests who notably offend iv this matter, that, according to the common opinion of theologians, they commit a grievous sin, and render themselves liable to suspension.

109. The blessing after child-birth shall not be given to women who have neglected their Easter Communion, nor to those who have given birth to a child out of lawful wedlock.

110. If any non-Catholic should bring his children to a Catholic priest to be baptised, and there is hope that they are to brought up as Catholics, they are to be haptised by all mean?, but the godfather o godmother must be a Catholic. If such children are in proxiraat or probable danger of death, priests may baptise them withou any hef-i'ation. c

111. It is much to be desired that the use of the Baltimore Ritual be permitted in the Church in Australia.

112. Since baptism is so necessary to salvation, that in ca c e of necessity it may be both validly and lawfully administered by any person, priests ought to see that all the faithful, but especially doctors, nurses, and midwives, thoroughly understand how to give private baptism. They should also carefully explain that all are most Btnctly bound, in the absence of a priest, to impart this sacrament to infanta, and to adults who wish to receive it, if either be in danger of death.