The proximate matter of Baptism is the use of the water [...] in such a way that in the common estimation of men an ablution has been performed. Prümmer, Handbook of Moral Theology 1956, 552.3 (paid link) Defects of matter (and related issues) and necessary actions Explanation of this table follows below. Defect:verdict:The water is poured once, rather than in …
Continue reading Is it valid? The proximate matter of Baptism
In the first part of our series on membership of the Church we discussed the Church’s perpetual visibility. We saw that the Catholic Church is a society which is always identifiable by men of good will through her four marks of unity, sanctity, catholicity and apostolicity. These marks are discernible by the senses. We further …
Continue reading Membership of the Church: Part II – Baptism
In late 2020, it emerged that two priests had been required to seek baptism, confirmation and ordination after being invalidly baptised as infants. What are the potential consequences of the breakdown of sacramental practice in the post-conciliar Church? How does this compare to the sacramental security enjoyed in the Catholic Church prior to the Second …