Under the rite of baptism in danger of death, who may validly baptize?

• A. Only bishops may baptize in danger of death
• B. Only priests may baptize in danger of death
• C. A lay person with proper intent
• D. Anyone with water

Answer: (C)

In danger of death, the essential requirement for a valid baptism is not the minister’s status but the combination of proper intent, matter, and form. If someone has the intention to do what the Church does and uses water with the correct baptismal formula, the baptism is valid even though the person performing it is not a priest or bishop. A layperson who acts with that proper intent and administers the rite using water fulfills all that is needed for a valid baptism, which is why this option is the best answer.

Bishops and priests are qualified ministers in ordinary circumstances, but the emergency rule extends beyond them to ensure the person’s salvation when no priest is available. Water alone is not enough without the proper intent and the correct words, so simply having water does not guarantee validity.