The administration of baptism
last updated 11 February 2004
Summary
Baptisms, except in extreme circumstances are to be administered by a priest and should normally be administered at public worship.
Introduction - by John Harrower
As you know I have encouraged the practice of clergy having the freedom to show initiative and to adapt practice to circumstances where this is appropriate and within the parameters of Anglican Order. It is good for us from time to time to be reminded of those parameters which are to be found in our Constitutions, Canons and Ordinances, Prayer Book and, less fixed I admit, in accepted protocols. The first area I wish to revisit with you concerns...
The administration of baptism
The sources which lay down our practices to be followed are:
- The Holy Bible
- The Book of Common Prayer
- An Australian Prayer Book
- A Prayer Book for Australia
- Canon Concerning Baptism 1992 (21, 1998) of the Anglican Church of Australia
Together these sources clearly stipulate that baptism is a sacrament to be administered by a priest, bishop (or deacon in the absence of the priest) normally at public worship. Baptism shall take place by immersing a person in water or by pouring water upon the candidate and by pronouncing the words, 'I baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.'
Lay people are not authorised to baptise but those who have played a significant role in the candidate's coming to Christ and baptismal preparation may well participate in the baptism service. By way of illustration, they may say prayers for the candidate, be one of the sponsors or assist the candidate in and out of the water in a full immersion baptism.
The Book of Common Prayer provides for private baptism outside a church in what the Canon calls 'extreme circumstances' such as anticipated death. The baptism in these situations may be conducted by a Christian person but does not include reception into the church. A person baptised in extreme circumstances must be brought to the church to be received, the priest first having ascertained that a baptised person pouring water on the individual to be baptised and using the Trinitarian formula conducted the initial act.
Baptisms not conducted according to these protocols may be classified as valid but irregular, i.e. their conduct has been not in accord with acceptable practice.
Resource
An excellent resource in the areas of pastoral ministry, Christian initiation, marriage and funerals is, A Pastoral Handbook for Anglicans: Guidelines for Pastoral Ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne by Charles Sherlock (Editor), Acorn Press, 2001.