Question
Hi father, can someone else besides a priest or deacon baptize a child when there is no emergency?
My son was baptized 26 years ago as an infant, and I found out after the baptism that the person who baptized him was a pastoral assistant. Lately I have started to wonder about the validity of my sons baptism. Thank you and God bless!
Answer
The ordinary ministers of baptism are the bishop, the presbyter or a deacon. But the Code of Canon Law allows a layman to also baptize licitly. As we read in the canons below:
Chapter II: The Minister of Baptism (Can. 861)
1. The ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, a presbyter, or a deacon, without prejudice to the prescript of can. 530, n. 1.
2. When an ordinary minister is absent or impeded, a catechist or another person designated for this function by the local ordinary, or in a case of necessity any person with the right intention, confers baptism licitly. Pastors of souls, especially the pastor of a parish, are to be concerned that the Christian faithful are taught the correct way to baptize.
