| As usual, the New York Times does not know what it is talking about on such matters. A priest is a priest, and any sacrament he performs is per se valid, even though he is not licensed to dispense the sacraments. It is a serious breach, yes; but the sacrament, properly performed, is valid. Furthermore, baptism does not require a priest, although customarily it is performed ceremonially by one. Any baptized Christian can perform a baptism. Finally, according to Church doctrine, the exchange of vows is sufficient for the sacrament of marriage, the priest merely solemnizes the occasion. In the Church, if you are married by a justice of the peace, you are married, because you had the requisite intent and acted upon it, and an annulment is still required for re- marriage (although one could use a "defective intent" argument before a tribunal, due to having foregone counseling by a priest). |
