However, bishops were still responsible for confirming the priests’ baptisms with a second anointing. This second anointing is what’s now known as Confirmation, and today’s confirmands are still confirmed by the bishop of their diocese. There was a time when
There was a time when Catholicism did not distinguish Confirmation from Baptism.
At the onset of the Catholic church, the apostles presiding over the community baptized new members, anointed them with oil and offered them the Eucharist in a rite of initiation.
However, as the church grew, eventually spreading throughout the world, it became impossible for the bishops, whom the church considers the successors to the apostles, to personally baptize every new Christian.
Priests, who were each in charge of their own church community known as a parish, were then given the responsibility of baptizing new Christians.
However, bishops were still responsible for confirming the priests’ baptisms with a second anointing. This second anointing is what’s now known as Confirmation, and today’s confirmands are still confirmed by the bishop of their diocese.
