should sometimes be given
to those who lack the use of reason.

_I answer that,_ In the matter of madmen and imbeciles a distinction
is to be made. For some are so from birth, and have no lucid
intervals, and show no signs of the use of reason. And with regard to
these it seems that we should come to the same decision as with
regard to children who are baptized in the Faith of the Church, as
stated above (A. 9, ad 2).

But there are others who have fallen from a state of sanity into a
state of insanity. And with regard to these we must be guided by
their wishes as expressed by them when sane: so that, if then they
manifested a desire to receive Baptism, it should be given to them
when in a state of madness or imbecility, even though then they
refuse. If, on the other hand, while sane they showed no desire to
receive Baptism, they must not be baptized.

Again, there are some who, though mad or imbecile from birth, have,
nevertheless, lucid intervals, in which they can make right use of
reason. Wherefore, if then they express a desire for Baptism, they
can be baptized though they be actually in a state of madness. And in
this case the sacrament should be bestowed on them if there be fear
of danger otherwise it is better to wait until the time when they are
sane, so that they may receive the sacrament more devoutly. But if
during the interval of lucidity they manifest no desire to receive
Baptism, they should not be baptized while in a state of insanity.

Lastly there are others who, though not altogether sane, yet can use
their reason so far as to think about their salvation, and understand
the power of the sacrament. And these are to be treated the same as
those who are sane, and who are baptized if they be willing, but not
against their will.

Reply Obj. 1: Imbeciles who never had, and have not now, the use of
reason, are baptized, according to the Church's intention, just as
according to the Church's ritual, they believe and repent; as we have
stated above of children (A. 9, ad Obj.). But those who have had the
use of reason at some time, or have now, are baptized according to
their own intention, which they have now, or had when they were sane.

Reply Obj. 2: Madmen and imbeciles lack the use of reason
accidentally, i.e. through some impediment in a bodily organ; but not
like irrational animals through want of a rational soul. Consequently
the comparison does not hold.

Reply Obj. 3: A person should not be b