SOURCE: Tanquerey, Adolphe. A Manual of Dogmatic Theology. Vol. II. John Byrnes trans. New York: Desclee Company, 1959. pp. 227-229. (N.B. all footnotes have been reformatted parenthetically into the body of the text for easier reading online --tmw89)
B. The Means by Which Baptism of Water is Supplied
I° BAPTISM OF BLOOD OR MARTYRDOM
1018 a. Concept. Martyrdom, properly called, is the suffering of death or of torture which of itself brings death, by reason of one's Catholic faith or of another Christian virtue; in the case of adults this suffering must be borne patiently. In order that martyrdom be able to justify adults, certain internal dispositions are required: supernatural attrition and at least an implicit desire for Baptism. Martyrdom remits fault and punishment, but it does not confer character; in consequence, should the lethally wounded victim survive, he should be baptized.
1019 b. Thesis: Martyrdom supplies the powers of Baptism as to the remission of sin and of punishment both for adults and for children.[/i]
Proof from Scripture: Christ unconditionally promised salvation to all who would confess him before men or who would lose their life for the sake of the Gospel: "He that shall lose his life for me, shall find it (St. Matthew, X, 39.)".
Proof from Tradition: The practice of the Church has always been to clothe with the honors of sainthood those who suffered martyrdom, the Innocents who were killed in the place of Christ, and other children who were slain for the faith, also those adults who, not yet baptized, accepted martyrdom (for example, St. Emerentiana): this fact cannot be explained unless martyrdom of itself sanctifies even children.
Proof from Reason: Baptism of water has the power to wipe away sins because it fashions us in the likeness of Christ's death. But through martyrdom both adults and children are more perfectly fashioned after the death of Christ.
1020 The Manner in Which Martyrdom Works.
Martyrdom produces its own effects, namely, the remission of sin and of punishment, even of temporal punishment, quasi ex opere operato. This is certain for children because they are incapable of every disposition, and cannot be justified ex opere operantis. This is commonly admitted for adults: the Church does not pray for martyrs; but if martyrdom operated only ex opere operantis, prayers would have to be offered for them.
2° BAPTISM OF DESIRE OR OF PERFECT CHARITY
1021 Thesis: Contrition or perfect charity, along with at least an implicit desire for Baptism, supplies for the forces of Baptism of water as to remission of sins. This is certain.
Explanation of terms of thesis: An implicit desire for Baptism is included in a general resolution to fulfill all the precepts of God. It is certainly sufficient in one who is invincibly ignorant of the law of Baptism; likewise, it very probably is sufficient in one who knows the need of Baptism.
Perfect charity, together with the desire for Baptism, indeed remits original sin and actual sins, and in like manner infuses sanctifying grace; but it does not imprint the baptismal character, nor of iself does it remit the entire temporal punishment due to sin. Wherefore the obligation remains to receive Baptism of water when the opportunity is given.
Proof of Thesis from Scripture. Even after the need of Baptism of water has been decreed, Christ unconditionally promised to grant sanctifying grace and therefore the remission of sins to all who would possess perfect charity: "He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him... If anyone love me... we will come to him, and will make our abode with him (St. Matthew, X, 39.)": now love of God, dwelling and abode of God, in this case, suppose sanctifying grace.
Proof of Thesis from Tradition. The Council of Trent (Session VI, can. 4, D.B., 796.) has summarized this in these words: "Since the promulgation of the Gospel (the translation to the state of grace) cannot be effected without the laver of regeneration or a desire for this".
Proof of Thesis from Reason. From what has been said, Baptism of water is really necessary by necessity of means, but extrinsically only, according to the positive will of God. But what is necessary only extrinsically can be supplied through something else; it was altogether fitting that this would be supplied through charity or perfect contrition, which are the best dispositions.
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Topic: On Baptism of Desire taken from A Manual of Dogmatic Theology (Read 993 times)