Would it be a sin for a father to baptize his own child?
The ordinary minister of baptism is a bishop, priest, or deacon. Unless there is an emergency (danger of death without baptism), it would be sinful for someone other than an ordinary minister to baptize, In danger of death, however, anyone can and should baptize, even a parent or even a non-Catholic or a non-believer. What is necessary is that the sacramental sign he properly placed (water poured over the person's head with the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit") with the proper intention (intending to do what Christ wants or, at least, what the Church wants). If the person to be baptized has the use of reason (is conscious and over the age of 7), and it is possible and there is time, they should be asked to express a wish to he baptized, be sorry for their sins, and recite or agree with the words of the creed. Emergency baptisms should be reported immediately to a priest for record-keeping and other reasons.
Reprinted September 10, 1999
If at a baptism the priest pours
the water and the parents say the words "I baptize you, etc.," is
that okay?
No, such a "baptism" is no baptism at all. It is illicit and invalid.
Reprinted September 10, 1999
If a sinful priest baptizes a baby, is the child really baptized?
The validity of baptisms does not depend upon the holiness of the minister. As long as the matter and form are correctly used, that is, the sign is correctly placed as Christ instituted it, by someone who is empowered to place that sign, and as long as the correct intention, to do as Christ or the Church desires, is present, the baptism is valid. However, a priest who would administer baptism while being personally in a state of mortal sin, would himself be committing an additional mortal sin of sacrilege.
Reprinted from October 4, 1996