Confirmation

Confirmation, in the Christian church, sacramental rite admitting baptized persons to full membership. In the ancient church the rite was administered immediately after baptism, and this is still the custom in the Orthodox and African churches. In the Roman Catholic church from about 1600 through the 20th century, confirmation was delayed from two to seven years after infant baptism. Since Vatican Council II it is usually further delayed until early adolescence. The Church of England has no specific age rule, but the rite is usually administered between the ages of 14 and 16; in the Lutheran church the rite is administered at about the same age.

Confirmation is effected by the laying on of hands and, in the Roman Catholic church, anointing with consecrated oil. In the Roman Catholic church the ceremony is performed by a bishop or a specially authorized priest. In the Church of England only bishops may administer the sacrament. In the Lutheran and Orthodox churches the rite customarily is performed by pastors and priests; the Orthodox church ceremony, however, omits the laying on of hands.