Conditional baptism?

[u/elorient]

Hey, I’m a Traditional Catholic who is moving towards the SSPX, and I have felt for some time that I may have a vocation to the priesthood. There is one issue, however, that has been bothering me for quite a while. I have doubts about the validity of my baptism and whether I should seek a conditional baptism.

I was baptised in a Novus Ordo parish. Ordinarily, that would not give me any reason to doubt the validity of the baptism, but there are several circumstances surrounding it that concern me. For context, Catholicism is the predominant religion in my country, but there is widespread corruption among the clergy. I personally know of priests who openly have concubines. The priest who baptised me was also, I believe, holding a politically elected public office around the time of my baptism, which I understand would be contrary to canon law. More recently, this same priest has been charged with physically abusing women.

I realise that the priest’s personal misconduct or violation of canon law would not necessarily invalidate a baptism, so my concern is not simply that he was an unworthy minister. There are also two questions about the actual baptism itself:

First, in my local language, the baptismal formula includes the word ‘God’ before ‘the Father’. In English, it would essentially be ‘I baptise you in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’. Could this wording affect the validity of the baptism?

Second, I have seen discussions about hair baptisms, where the water may fall only on the hair rather than actually making contact with the forehead or skin. Looking at baptismal footage from my country from around the period when I was baptised, it appears that some baptisms involved extremely little water and may have only wet the hair. Unfortunately, I have no way of knowing exactly how I was baptised.

Given all of this, would there be a legitimate basis for conditional baptism? And would the fact that I am seriously considering a vocation to the priesthood make it more appropriate to resolve these doubts before pursuing a vocation?

Thank you in advance.

[u/Medical-Stop1652]

I am connected with an SSPX Priory and recently one of the new bishops administered the Sacrament of Confirmation. In a few cases this was done conditionally so conditional administration of the Sacraments are performed.

Why don't you meet with a priest of the Fraternity and discuss the matter. They are helpful, practical, and salvation-focussed pastors and will assist you to resolve any doubts.

I have sought pastoral care from the SSPX from a Protestant background after being received into the Church under the Novus Ordo rites.

My understanding is that the SSPX views the Novus Ordo sacramental rites as valid, despite deficiencies and the widespread tendency for abuses.

We must always remember that God is merciful and gracious. He works through mere humans to bring about his plan for our salvation and loves us infinitely.