May we pray for conditional baptism for the unborn?
The short answer
No. Conditional baptism is only for cases of doubt about whether a person was validly baptized. Baptism of desire applies to martyrs, catechumens and sincere seekers of God, and unbaptized children are entrusted to God's mercy. Pray instead for their salvation and that those in danger of abortion be spared.
Conditional baptism
It is conferred only when there is doubt whether a person was baptized or validly baptized (CIC 869).
Baptism of desire
This applies to those who die for the faith, catechumens, and those who, without knowing the Church but moved by grace, sincerely seek God and try to do his will (CCC 1281).
Unbaptized children
The Church can only entrust children who die without baptism to God's mercy (CCC 1261). We must pray with the mind of the Church, not beyond the limits of revelation.
How to pray
Pray for their salvation, and that those in danger of abortion be spared — for example with Archbishop Fulton Sheen's prayer of spiritual adoption, asking Jesus, Mary and Joseph to spare the life of an unborn child in danger of abortion.
Continue exploring
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