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Objection 1: It seems that a woman cannot baptize. For we read in
the acts of the Council of Carthage (iv): "However learned and
holy a woman may be, she must not presume to teach men in the church,
or to baptize." But in no case is a woman allowed to teach in
church, according to 1 Cor. 14:35: "It is a shame for a
woman to speak in the church." Therefore it seems that neither is a
woman in any circumstances permitted to baptize.
Objection 2: Further, to baptize belongs to those having
authority. wherefore baptism should be conferred by priests having
charge of souls. But women are not qualified for this; according to
1 Tim. 2:12: "I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to use
authority over man, but to be subject to him." Therefore a woman
cannot baptize.
Objection 3: Further, in the spiritual regeneration water seems to
hold the place of the mother's womb, as Augustine says on Jn.
3:4, "Can" a man "enter a second time into his mother's womb,
and be born again?" While he who baptizes seems to hold rather the
position of father. But this is unfitting for a woman. Therefore a
woman cannot baptize.
On the contrary, Pope Urban II says (Decreta xxx): "In reply
to the questions asked by your beatitude, we consider that the
following answer should be given: that the baptism is valid when, in
cases of necessity, a woman baptizes a child in the name of the
Trinity."
I answer that, Christ is the chief Baptizer, according to Jn.
1:33: "He upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and
remaining upon Him, He it is that baptizeth." For it is written in
Col. 3 (cf. Gal. 3:28), that in Christ there is neither
male nor female. Consequently, just as a layman can baptize, as
Christ's minister, so can a woman.
But since "the head of the woman is the man," and "the head of .
. . man, is Christ" (1 Cor. 11:3), a woman should not
baptize if a man be available for the purpose; just as neither should a
layman in the presence of a cleric, nor a cleric in the presence of a
priest. The last, however, can baptize in the presence of a bishop,
because it is part of the priestly office.
Reply to Objection 1: Just as a woman is not suffered to teach in
public, but is allowed to instruct and admonish privately; so she is
not permitted to baptize publicly and solemnly, and yet she can baptize
in a case of urgency.
Reply to Objection 2: When Baptism is celebrated solemnly and with
due form, it should be conferred by a priest having charge of souls,
or by one representing him. But this is not required in cases of
urgency, when a woman may baptize.
Reply to Objection 3: In carnal generation male and female
co-operate according to the power of their proper nature; wherefore
the female cannot be the active, but only the passive, principle of
generation. But in spiritual generation they do not act, either of
them, by their proper power, but only instrumentally by the power of
Christ. Consequently, on the same grounds either man or woman can
baptize in a case of urgency.
If, however, a woman were to baptize without any urgency for so
doing. there would be no need of rebaptism: as we have said in regard
to laymen (Article 3, ad 1). But the baptizer herself would
sin, as also those who took part with her therein, either by receiving
Baptism from her, or by bringing someone to her to be baptized.
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