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Objection 1: It seems that he who is confirmed needs no one to stand
for him. For this sacrament is given not only to children but also to
adults. But adults can stand for themselves. Therefore it is absurd
that someone else should stand for them.
Objection 2: Further, he that belongs already to the Church, has
free access to the prince of the Church, i.e. the bishop. But this
sacrament, as stated above (Article 6), is given only to one that
is baptized, who is already a member of the Church. Therefore it
seems that he should not be brought by another to the bishop in order to
receive this sacrament.
Objection 3: Further, this sacrament is given for spiritual
strength, which has more vigor in men than in women, according to
Prov. 31:10: "Who shall find a valiant woman?" Therefore at
least a woman should not stand for a man in confirmation.
On the contrary, Are the following words of Pope Innocent, which
are to be found in the Decretals (XXX, Question 4): "If
anyone raise the children of another's marriage from the sacred font,
or stand for them in Confirmation," etc. Therefore, just as
someone is required as sponsor of one who is baptized, so is someone
required to stand for him who is to be confirmed .
I answer that, As stated above (Articles 1,4,9), this
sacrament is given to man for strength in the spiritual combat. Now,
just as one newly born requires someone to teach him things pertaining
to ordinary conduct, according to Heb. 12:9: "We have had
fathers of our flesh, for instructors, and we obeyed " them; so they
who are chosen for the fight need instructors by whom they are informed
of things concerning the conduct of the battle, and hence in earthly
wars, generals and captains are appointed to the command of the
others. For this reason he also who receives this sacrament, has
someone to stand for him, who, as it were, has to instruct him
concerning the fight.
Likewise, since this sacrament bestows on man the perfection of
spiritual age, as stated above (Articles 2,5), therefore he who
approaches this sacrament is upheld by another, as being spiritually a
weakling and a child.
Reply to Objection 1: Although he who is confirmed, be adult in
body, nevertheless he is not yet spiritually adult.
Reply to Objection 2: Though he who is baptized is made a member of
the Church, nevertheless he is not yet enrolled as a Christian
soldier. And therefore he is brought to the bishop, as to the
commander of the army, by one who is already enrolled as a Christian
soldier. For one who is not yet confirmed should not stand for another
in Confirmation.
Reply to Objection 3: According to Col. 3 (Gal. 3:28),
"in Christ Jesus there is neither male nor female." Consequently
it matters not whether a man or a woman stand for one who is to be
confirmed.
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