Early Church Fathers Who Denied That Heretics Could Baptize

MHFM: A significant number of early Church fathers wrongly taught that some or all heretics, even if they observe the Trinitarian formula, could not validly baptize. Hence, they unconditionally baptized those who were baptized by heretics. This list includes St. Cyprian and a council of African bishops, St. Cyril of Jerusalem, the so-called “Apostolic Constitutions” (4th century), St. Basil, St. Athanasius, and others. The true position is that heretics can validly baptize, if they observe the proper matter, form and have the minimal intention. The widespread error on this point among the fathers demonstrates, once again, why the Chair of St. Peter is unique. In disputes about the faith, one must focus on the teaching of the Chair of St. Peter (i.e. the authoritative teaching of the popes) to necessarily arrive at the true position.