Topic: Does the Mormon church have a valid baptism

Date originally posted: March 17, 2002

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Moderator who originally posted this source: P. Leach

Question: DOES THE MORMON CHURCH HAVE A VALID BAPTISM, IF NOT WHAT IS MISSING IN THEIR BAPTISM. THANK YOU, I WILL BE LOOKING FOR YOUR ANSWER.

Answer: 

Dear Roger, 

You ask a good question about Mormon Baptism.  The Catholic Church itself has taken a while to come to an answer about the validity of Mormon Baptism.   

(Actually, this practice of not jumping to quick and easy conclusions is an evidence of the Church's wisdom -- at least in my opinion: gather data, pray, seek the direction of the Holy Spirit, get the input of scholars and experts, pray some more, and then come to a conclusion. It's a good process!) 

Anyway, let me make two comments before answering your question.  First, I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints practices two kinds of Baptism -- that is, baptizing living persons who are present, and "proxy" Baptism of persons who have died.  In the case of the latter custom, the Catholic Church has never -- at least to my knowledge -- recognized the validity of "proxy" Baptism of people who have died. 

 Second, the Catholic Church recognizes the teaching of the Sacred Scripture which says that there is but one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all.  In that context, then, the Catholic Church generally recognizes that a Baptism (1) with water (2) which uses the Trinitarian formula, i.e. "In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," and (3) has something approaching the intention of the Catholic Church on the part of the one administering the Baptism, is valid.  This recognition goes way back to at least the 15th century Council of Florence -- and actually long before that.

 However, the Catholic Church has discovered that our beliefs -- particularly about the Person and Work of Jesus Christ -- differ very significantly from the point-of-view of the Mormon perspective.  We have some other very important differences of belief as well, notably, about the nature of life-after-death and the 'materiality' of life-beyond-death. 

These very important theological differences make accepting Mormon Baptism extremely difficult for us as a Catholic faith community.

 So, the 'short' answer to your question is: The Catholic Church does not currently accept the validity of Mormon Baptism.

 I would be quick to add that Catholics do and should respect the tremendous emphasis that many Mormons place on the role of the family and the ethical rectitude of many, many Mormon people.  This respect, however, does not suffice for us to accept the validity of Mormon Baptism.

 Thank you for your question. 

God bless!

Father Phillip