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Objection 1: It seems that madmen and imbeciles should not be
baptized. For in order to receive Baptism, the person baptized must
have the intention, as stated above (Article 7). But since madmen
and imbeciles lack the use of reason, they can have but a disorderly
intention. Therefore they should not be baptized.
Objection 2: Further, man excels irrational animals in that he has
reason. But madmen and imbeciles lack the use of reason, indeed in
some cases we do not expect them ever to have it, as we do in the case
of children. It seems, therefore, that just as irrational animals
are not baptized, so neither should madmen and imbeciles in those cases
be baptized.
Objection 3: Further, the use of reason is suspended in madmen and
imbeciles more than it is in one who sleeps. But it is not customary
to baptize people while they sleep. Therefore it should not be given
to madmen and imbeciles.
On the contrary, Augustine says (Confess. iv) of his friend that
"he was baptized when his recovery was despaired of": and yet
Baptism was efficacious with him. Therefore Baptism should sometimes
be given to those who lack the use of reason.
I answer that, In the matter of madmen and imbeciles a distinction is
to be made. For some are so from birth, and have no lucid intervals,
and show no signs of the use of reason. And with regard to these it
seems that we should come to the same decision as with regard to
children who are baptized in the Faith of the Church, as stated above
(Article 9, ad 2).
But there are others who have fallen from a state of sanity into a
state of insanity. And with regard to these we must be guided by their
wishes as expressed by them when sane: so that, if then they
manifested a desire to receive Baptism, it should be given to them
when in a state of madness or imbecility, even though then they
refuse. If, on the other hand, while sane they showed no desire to
receive Baptism, they must not be baptized.
Again, there are some who, though mad or imbecile from birth, have,
nevertheless, lucid intervals, in which they can make right use of
reason. Wherefore, if then they express a desire for Baptism, they
can be baptized though they be actually in a state of madness. And in
this case the sacrament should be bestowed on them if there be fear of
danger otherwise it is better to wait until the time when they are
sane, so that they may receive the sacrament more devoutly. But if
during the interval of lucidity they manifest no desire to receive
Baptism, they should not be baptized while in a state of insanity.
Lastly there are others who, though not altogether sane, yet can use
their reason so far as to think about their salvation, and understand
the power of the sacrament. And these are to be treated the same as
those who are sane, and who are baptized if they be willing, but not
against their will.
Reply to Objection 1: Imbeciles who never had, and have not now,
the use of reason, are baptized, according to the Church's
intention, just as according to the Church's ritual, they believe
and repent; as we have stated above of children (Article 9, ad
OBJ). But those who have had the use of reason at some time, or
have now, are baptized according to their own intention, which they
have now, or had when they were sane.
Reply to Objection 2: Madmen and imbeciles lack the use of reason
accidentally, i.e. through some impediment in a bodily organ; but
not like irrational animals through want of a rational soul.
Consequently the comparison does not hold.
Reply to Objection 3: A person should not be baptized while
asleep, except he be threatened with the danger of death. In which
case he should be baptized, if previously he has manifested a desire to
receive Baptism, as we have stated in reference to imbeciles: thus
Augustine relates of his friend that "he was baptized while
unconscious," because he was in danger of death (Confess. iv).
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