When and why was baptism and confirmation separated in the catholic church?

Answer 1

Baptism and confirmation have always been two separate sacraments. Christ established them with two different purposes. When the sacraments are received by people can vary though based on several circumstances. If an unbaptized person is an adult convert to Catholicism - they'll receive baptism and confirmationat the same time. In some Eastern Rite Catholic Churches infants receive the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation at the same time. While in Roman/Latin Rite Catholic churches infants are baptized and the sacrament of Confirmation is administered later, when the child is older.

Answer 2

Originally, the sacrament was only given by the Bishop and it was always given at the same time as Baptism. The three sacraments of initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist, were always given together, and they still are in the Eastern Rites, even when given to infants. The fact that only the Bishop used to confirm is maintained in that the Sacred Chrism used in confirmation must be consecrated by the Bishop. Even today in the Latin Rite, when adults are brought into the Church, usually at the Easter Vigil, the old form is retained and they receive baptism, confirmation, and the Most Holy Eucharist all at the same Mass.

Answer 3

For the first few hundred years AD baptism and confirmation were given to adults. Then due to persecution of Christians it was given to infants for fear they might not live long enough and not see God in heaven due to original sin and go to Limbo. The bishop confirmed at the same time. In later years, confirmation was given when older since there were too few bishops for so many people. Baptism now is welcome at a young age to the church as well as removal of original sin, but Limbo is no longer taught. Now some churches are confirming at earlier yeras, at age 8, but many still choose age 12-16. The direction may be to confirm at the earlier age inthe future.