Expert: Fr. Michael - 2/7/2009

Question
Father, I was confirmed in 1977 in the New Order and remember the bishop placing his hands on my head, annoiting my forehead, and slapping me with 2 fingers.  Is my confirmation valid?

Thank you.

Answer
Confirmation in the New Order is generally held to use such a substantial corruption of form, matter, and intention that it is invalid.  However, Confirmation does not oblige by necessity of means (as Baptism does), but only by necessity of precept.  Therefore, if the opportunity arises to be confirmed in the traditional manner by a traditional priest/bishop at a traditional church or chapel, fine, but you should not worry about it as an immediate imperative.  If you are not currently attending a traditional chapel, see the geographical listing at http://www.traditio.com/nat.htm