May a mentally retarded person be a sponsor for baptism
or confirmation?
It would depend on how sever the retardation is. Being a sponsor for those sacraments requires that the person have the use of reason. Consult with your pastor before you invite anyone to be a sponsor, especially if there is some question about what may be allowed.
Reprinted from May 16, 1997
How does one prove that everyone was born with original sin and needs baptism?
Church of Christ members do not believe this.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton saint that the doctrine of original sin is the only one that can be proved by just looking around at the evil in the world. However, God Himself, in divine revelation, told us about original sin. David said (Psalm 50:7) "in sin did my mother conceive me". It is clear that He is using the singular in the Hebrew (not referring to personal sins). Jesus said that baptism (rebirth by water and the Holy Spirit) is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:6). Saint Paul said (Romans 5:12) that "By one man sin entered the world… in whom all have sinned". By the way, there are several varieties of religions calling themselves "The Church of Christ". They were founded in America less than two centuries ago and have no connection with Christ. They are simply manmade religious inventions, which broke off from another manmade denomination called the Disciples of Christ.
Reprinted from May 2, 1997
To avoid exclusive language, a Protestant baptism I attended used the words
'Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier' in place of 'Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.'
Is this a new trend also among Catholics?
In the eyes of the Catholic Church a baptism administered using the words you indicate would be both illicit and invalid. In other words, it would not be a true baptism at all.
Reprinted from November 14, 1997
Could a non-believer or atheist administer baptism?
This question is answered in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1256). The usual minister of baptism is a priest, deacon or bishop. However, in the case of emergency, anyon4e may baptize, provided the sign is correctly placed and the person doing the baptism has the right intention. The intention is to be doing what Christ or the Church does when the Church administers baptism.
Reprinted from November 14, 1997
May a baby have two sponsors of the same gender for Baptism?
The law of the Church states, "One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient, but there may be two, one of each sex" (Canon 873). So, it appears that the answer to your question must be no. Sometimes, in special cases, a priest might all an "honorary sponsor," who would not just be present, but not actually and really be a sponsor.
Reprinted from December 12, 1997
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
Is
it all right now after the Second Vatican Council to give a child at baptism
a name that is not a saint's name?
As far as I know the Second Vatican Council never treated this issue. The current Code of Canon Law says, "Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to take care that a name is not given (to a child being baptized) which is foreign to Christian sentiment." It is a beautiful practice to give a child a saint's name, even if it has to be a second or third name. The saint can intercede for the person as he or she grows up. The person can learn about the saint's life and try to imitate the saint's virtues in following Christ, etc. For Christians this is certainly preferable over naming children after relatives, sports or rock stars, months or seasons of the year, nuts and fruits, etc.
Reprinted October 1, 1999