Whether children should be baptized?

❌ Objection 1 : It seems that children should not be baptized. For the intention to receive the sacrament is required in one who is being baptized, as stated above (Article [7]). But children cannot have such an intention, since they have not the use of free-will. Therefore it seems that they cannot receive the sacrament of Baptism.

❌ Objection 2 : Further, Baptism is the sacrament of faith, as stated above (Question [39], Article [5]; Question [66], Article [1], ad 1). But children have not faith, which demands an act of the will on the part of the believer, as Augustine says (Super Joan. xxvi). Nor can it be said that their salvation is implied in the faith of their parents; since the latter are sometimes unbelievers, and their unbelief would conduce rather to the damnation of their children. Therefore it seems that children cannot be baptized.

❌ Objection 3 : Further, it is written (1 Pt. 3:21) that "Baptism saveth" men; "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God." But children have no conscience, either good or bad, since they have not the use of reason: nor can they be fittingly examined, since they understand not. Therefore children should not be baptized.