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((Short description|Baptism administered to a person in danger of death))
((Refimprove|date=July 2015))
[[File:Hätäkaste Kittilän Kaukosessa 1920.jpg|thumb|Emergency baptism of an infant in Finland, 1920]]
An '''emergency baptism''' is a [[baptism]] administered to a person in immediate danger of death. This can be a person of any age, but is often used in reference to the [[Infant baptism|baptism of a newborn infant]]. The baptism can be performed by a person not normally authorized to administer the [[sacraments]].

==History==
===Antiquity===
There is evidence that infant and child baptisms have been performed since early Christianity, at least by the time of [[Tertullian]] in the 1st century CE<ref name="ferguson1999">((cite book |last1=Ferguson |first1=Everett |title=Early Christians Speak: Faith and Life in the First Three Centuries |author-link1=Everett Ferguson |date=1999 |publisher=ACU Press |edition=3rd |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv1k3nq1f.8 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |chapter=The Beginning of Infant Baptism |via=[[JSTOR]]))</ref> and certainly was a regular—albeit abnormal—occurrence by the time of [[Augustine of Hippo]] in the 4th century CE. Scholars such as [[Everett Ferguson]] believe this was not a routine practice, and instead, anyone in immediate danger of death could be baptized, regardless of their age.<ref name="ferguson1979">((cite journal |last1=Ferguson |first1=Everett |author-link1= Everett Ferguson |title=Inscriptions and the Origins of Infant Baptism |journal=[[The Journal of Theological Studies]] |date=April 1979 |volume=30 |issue=1 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23961667 |via=[[JSTOR]] |access-date=February 10, 2024))</ref>

[[File:Raphael Baptism Constantine.jpg|thumb|left|[[Constantine the Great]] underwent a baptism while terminally ill, depicted in this 1524 painting by [[Raphael]].]]
Multiple instances of emergency baptisms survive in the form of epitaphs in [[Rome]], [[Naples]], Greece, North Africa, and elsewhere. Inscriptions often use language like "((Linktext|neophyte))" or "received grace", rather than explicitly using the term "baptism".<ref name="ferguson1999"/> Perhaps one of the earliest examples of an emergency baptism was recorded at the [[Catacomb of Callixtus]] and dates to ((circa)) 268 CE, in which Marcianus, aged 12, was baptized and died the next day. Another example has been dated to ((circa)) 314 CE, which describes the baptism of a Greek Christian child, Julia Florentina of Hybla, aged 18 months, who was "made a believer in the eighth hour of the night, almost drawing her last breath"<ref name="ferguson1979"/> and died four hours later. For many Christians, it was preferable to push baptism as close to the time of death as possible, in order to cleanse the soul of as many sins as possible. However, the high rate of infant mortality before the advent of modern medicine may have been a catalyst for the later push to baptize infants soon after birth.<ref name="ferguson1979"/>

===Modern history===
[[File:Nottaufspritze MfK Wgt.jpg|thumb|A syringe for emergency baptisms, ((circa|1800)), Germany]]
As the centuries progressed, midwives were expected to be able to perform an emergency baptism in the absence of an ordained priest. In 16th-century Germany, [[Martin Luther]] raised concerns that, in the case an infant survived after an emergency baptism had been performed by a midwife or other bystander, a second baptism to correct any errors would count as a [[rebaptism]] and should be avoided. In response, this put pressure on midwives to get the ceremony correct in the first place. In [[Nuremberg]], midwives were held to the ''Jachtauffen'', the midwifery ordinance dealing with emergency baptisms, and swearing their oath included confirmation of their confidence in it.<ref name="wiesner">((cite book |last1=Wiesner |first1=Merry E. |editor1-last=Hanawalt |editor1-first=Barbara A. |title=Women and Work in Preindustrial Europe |date=1986 |publisher=Indiana University Press |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/jj.5501024.12 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |chapter=Early Modern Midwifery: A Case Study))</ref> This scrutiny continued into the next century; 17th-century midwifery reforms in the [[House of Schwarzburg|Schwarzburg]] provinces required midwives to be approved by the town's pastor, and they were expected to be pious and unwaveringly spiritual.<ref name="aikin2004">((cite journal |last1=Aikin |first1=Judith P. |title=The Welfare of Pregnant and Birthing Women as a Concern for Male and Female Rulers: A Case Study |journal=The Sixteenth Century Journal |date=Spring 2004 |volume=35 |issue=1 |doi=10.2307/20476836 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20476836 |via=[[JSTOR]] |access-date=February 11, 2024))</ref>

Elsewhere in the [[Holy Roman Empire]], [[Anabaptist]] families conciously refused to perform infant baptisms, even in case of imminent death; for this and other beliefs that deviated from Catholic teachings, they were subject to heavy discrimination, which could include banishment or execution. Although they held similar views on emergency baptism, [[Dutch Reformed Church|Dutch Reformed]] customs relied on geography, as they tried to distance themselves from Anabaptists to avoid punishment. Those in locales where anti-Anabaptist sentiment was strong pushed their parishioners to baptize as soon as possible. By contrast, in areas where the Reformed church was not held under such scrutiny, priests encouraged parents to bring the ailing newborn to the next Sunday Mass for the baptism.<ref>((cite book |last1=Spohnholz |first1=Jesse |last2=van Veen |first2=Mirjam |title=Dutch Reformed Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire, c.1550–1620: A Reformation of Refugees |date=2024 |publisher=Boydell & Brewer, University of Rochester Press |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/jj.10782306.10 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |chapter=Chapter Four: Managing Worship |series=Changing Perspectives on Early Modern Europe |via=[[JSTOR]]))</ref>

==Theology==
===Catholicism===
((Seealso|Canon law of the Catholic Church))
((canon law))
====Latin Church====
In the [[Latin Church]] of the Catholic Church, the [[Sacraments of the Catholic Church#Ordinary and extraordinary ministers of the sacraments|ordinary minister]] of baptism is a [[bishop]], [[priest]], or [[deacon]] (canon 861 §1 of the [[1983 Code of Canon Law]]),<ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM canon 861 §1]</ref> and in normal circumstances, only the parish priest of the person to be baptized, or someone authorized by the parish priest may do so licitly (canon 530).<ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P1T.HTM canon 530]</ref> "If the ordinary minister is absent or impeded, a [[catechist]] or some other person deputed to this office by the local Ordinary, may lawfully confer baptism; indeed, in a case of necessity, any person who has the requisite intention may do so (canon 861 §2), even a non-Catholic or a non-Christian.<ref name="catholicencyclopedia" /><ref>[http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0017/_P2V.HTM canon 861 §2]</ref>

By "a case of necessity" is principally meant imminent danger of death because of either illness or an external threat. "The requisite intention" is, at the minimum level, the intention "to do what the Church does" through the rite of baptism.<ref>((Cite web|title=~In Today's Catholic World (TCW) True Catholic News~|url=http://www.todayscatholicworld.com/nov05tcw.htm#baptism|access-date=2020-11-03|website=www.todayscatholicworld.com))</ref>((Verify credibility|date=March 2020))

The Latin Church considers that the effect of the sacrament is not produced by the person who baptizes, but by the [[Holy Spirit]].((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

In English, the formula to be employed in order to ensure the baptism is valid is thus: The person pours water over the head of the one to be baptized while saying, "N., I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a1.htm#III|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 2 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE 1|website=www.scborromeo.org|access-date=2020-04-19))</ref> ("N" is replaced by the subject's name.)

=====Infants, babies, and fetuses=====
The [[Roman Ritual]] declares that a child is not to be baptized while still enclosed (clausus) in its mother's womb; it supposes that the baptismal water cannot reach the body of the child. When, however, this seems possible, even with the aid of an instrument, [[Pope Benedict XIV|Benedict XIV]]<ref>Syn. Diaec., vii, 5</ref> declares that midwives should be instructed to confer [[conditional baptism]]. The Ritual further says that when the water can flow upon the head of the infant the sacrament is to be administered absolutely; but if it can be poured only on some other part of the body, baptism is indeed to be conferred, but it must be conditionally repeated in case the child survives its birth. In these last two cases, the rubric of the Ritual supposes that the infant has partly emerged from the womb. For if the fetus was entirely enclosed, baptism is to be repeated conditionally in all cases.<ref>Lehmkuhl, n, 61</ref>

In case of the death of the mother, the fetus is to be immediately extracted and baptized, should there be any life in it. Infants have been taken alive from the womb well after the mother's death. After the Cæsarean incision has been performed, the fetus may be conditionally baptized before extraction if possible; if the sacrament is administered after its removal from the womb the baptism is to be absolute, provided it is certain that life remains. If after extraction it is doubtful whether it be still alive, it is to be baptized under the condition: "If thou art alive". According to Catholic teaching, the fetus is animated by a human soul from the very beginning of its conception. In cases of delivery where the issue is a mass that is not certainly animated by human life, it is to be baptized conditionally: "If thou art a man."<ref name="catholicencyclopedia">((Cite web|title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Baptism|url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02258b.htm|access-date=2020-11-03|website=www.newadvent.org))</ref>

===Eastern Christianity===
In the [[Eastern Catholic Churches]], a deacon is not considered an ordinary minister of baptism. Administration of the sacrament is reserved, as in the Latin Church, to the parish priest. But, "in case of necessity, baptism can be administered by a deacon or, in his absence or if he is impeded, by another cleric, a member of an institute of consecrated life, or by any other Christian faithful; even by the mother or father, if another person is not available who knows how to baptize" ([http://www.intratext.com/IXT/LAT0758/_P1Q.HTM canon 677] of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.)((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

The discipline of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Oriental Orthodoxy]] and the [[Assyrian Church of the East]] is similar to that of the Eastern Catholic Churches. However, they require the baptizer, even in cases of necessity, to be of their own faith, on the grounds that a person cannot convey what he himself does not possess, in this case membership in the [[Body of Christ]].((Citation needed|date=November 2020))

===Lutheranism===
In [[Lutheranism]], liturgical books such as the [[Lutheran Book of Worship]] provide the rite of emergency baptism.<ref name="Button1994">((cite journal |last1=Button |first1=Michael R. |title=Pastoral Decisions in the Hard Cases |journal=Word & World |date=1994 |volume=14 |issue=1 |page=40 |access-date=3 November 2020 |publisher=Luther Seminary |url=https://wordandworld.luthersem.edu/content/pdfs/14-1_Baptism/14-1_Button.pdf ))</ref> If a pastor is not available, "anyone who is baptised can perform the baptism."<ref>((cite web |title=Baptism |url=https://www.lutheranchurch.dk/liturgy-and-worship/sacraments-and-rites/baptism | publisher=[[Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Denmark]] |access-date=3 November 2020 |language=en))</ref>

===Anglicanism===
Similar provisions exist throughout the constituent churches of the Anglican Communion.

====Church of England====
As in the Catholic churches, if a minister is unavailable, the baptizing party can be a common layperson, but the administer of the rites must later inform the minister who would have been responsible for the ceremony. In the case of an infant baptism, the parents must request it be performed. If a name cannot be provided, the baptism is allowed to go forth without using one. If the baptized person survives, they should then present themselves to the church for a proper baptismal ceremony. Some rites are omitted as they are considered to have already taken place, but the person should be anointed with [[chrism]]—specifically consecrated by the bishop—after receiving the blessing.<ref>((cite web |title=Emergency Baptism |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/worship-texts-and-resources/common-worship/christian-initiation/emergency |website=The Church of England |publisher=Church of England |access-date=February 9, 2024))</ref>

====American Episcopalian====
For the [[Episcopal Church in the United States of America]], the 1979 [[Book of Common Prayer]] states that "Holy Baptism is especially appropriate at the [[Easter Vigil]], on the day of [[Pentecost]], on [[All Saints' Day]] or the Sunday after All Saints' day, and on the [[Baptism of the Lord|Feast of the Baptism of our Lord]] . . . It is recommended that, as far as possible, Baptisms be reserved for these occasions or when a bishop is present. If on any one of the above-named days the ministry of a bishop or priest cannot be obtained, the bishop may specially authorize a deacon to preside. In that case, the deacon omits the prayer over the candidates, page 308, and the formula and action which follow." The Book of Common Prayer also specifies under the heading "Emergency Baptism" the following:<ref>((cite book |title=Book of Common Prayer |date=1979 |publisher=Church Publishing, Incorporated |location=New York |pages=312–314 |edition=2007 ))</ref>

((blockquote|text=
''In case of emergency, any baptized person may administer Baptism according to the following form.''
''Using the given name of the one to be baptized (if known), pour water on him or her, saying''

I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

''The Lord's Prayer is then said.''

''Other prayers, such as the following, may be added''

Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed on upon this your servant the forgiveness of sin and have raised ''him'' to the new life of grace. Strengthen ''him'', O Lord, with your presence, enfold ''him'' in the arms of your mercy, and keep ''him'' safe forever.

''The person who administers emergency Baptism should inform the priest of the appropriate parish, so that the fact can be properly recorded.''

''If the baptized person recovers, the Baptism should be recognized at a public celebration of the Sacrament with a bishop or priest presiding, and the person baptized under emergency conditions, together with the sponsors or godparents, taking part in everything except the administration of the water.''
|multiline=yes
|title=Emergency Baptism, pp 313-4
|source=[[The Book of Common Prayer]]
))

===Methodism===
For [[Methodists]], as well as some High Church [[Protestant]] denominations, the ordinary minister of baptism is a duly ordained or appointed minister of [[religion]].((Citation needed|date=February 2021))

==Controversial baptisms of Jews==
In 1858, [[Mortara case|Edgardo Mortara]], then reportedly six years old, was taken from his Jewish parents by the police of the [[Papal States]]. He had reportedly been [[baptism|baptized]], when he was one, by a Roman Catholic servant girl of the family while he was ill, because she feared that otherwise he would not be saved if he died.<ref>((cite journal|last=Grew|first=Raymond|year=2000|title=Review of ''The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara'', by David I. Kertzer|journal=Journal of the American Academy of Religion|volume=68|issue=1|location=Oxford|publisher=Oxford University Press|pages=189–191|doi=10.1093/jaarel/68.1.189|issn=1477-4585|jstor=1465729))</ref>

The [[Jewish orphans controversy]] is a legal dispute that occurred after the [[Second World War]] when the Holy See under [[Pope Pius XII]] issued instructions that Catholic institutions and families should keep baptized Jewish children in their ranks after they had been rescued from a likely deportation to [[Auschwitz]]. The Church, however, maintains it returned such children to their relatives, if any could be found.<ref>Dimitri Cavalli, “Pius’ Children,” https://theamericanmag.com/pius-children/</ref>

==See also==
*[[Baptism of the dead]]
*[[Conditional baptism]]
*[[Deathbed conversion]]

==References==
((reflist))

((Portal bar|Christianity))

[[Category:Baptism]]
[[Category:Christianity and death]]
[[Category:Infant mortality]]

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