Yes, baptism is necessary for salvation. The Church teaches that without baptism, one cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven, as stated by Christ: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
However, there are exceptions recognized by the Church. Those who die without baptism but have not committed sin through no fault of their own will not go to hell, but they will not see God or heaven. Instead, they will be in a state of natural peace, deprived of the beatific vision (V16 Kinkead Explanation of the Baltimore Catechism 1891 226:1).
Additionally, the Church acknowledges two other forms of baptism that can substitute for the sacrament of water baptism under certain circumstances: the baptism of blood (martyrdom) and the baptism of desire (a sincere desire for baptism combined with perfect contrition for sins) (V17 Cafferata The Catechism Simply Explained 1932 244:2; V8 Frassinetti A Dogmatic Catechism 1872 158:3).
In summary, while baptism is essential for salvation, there are specific conditions under which the absence of baptism can be compensated.
1932 - V17 The Catechism Simply Explained (Cafferata) 244:2
1872 -- V8 A Dogmatic Catechism (Frassinetti) 158:3
1932 V18 The Catholic Catechism (Gasparri) 211:1
1752 -- V5 A Catechism Moral and Controversial (Burke) 244:3
Thanks, Arise Shine, for this crucial article! In the month of March, Fred will be celebrating his 10-year anniversary since he converted to Catholicism (and got baptized along with the other sacraments). Glory be to God, Jesus Christ Christine (Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish)
2 Timothy 4:22 -- The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. -- Will unbaptized infants go to heaven? mastercatechism.com -- Provided the following: The Church teaches that unbaptized infants do not enter heaven, as they lack the beatific vision of God due to original sin. However, they do not suffer the same penalties as those who have committed personal sin. Instead, it is believed that they may experience a state of natural happiness, without the pain of sense, as they are not aware of their deprivation of the beatific vision (V0 Schneider Credo 2023 273:5; V18 Gasparri The Catholic Catechism 1932 211:2). The destiny of these infants remains a mystery entrusted to God's loving providence, and while we can hope for God's mercy, their ultimate fate is not definitively known (V0 Schneider Credo 2023 274:1; V8 Frassinetti A Dogmatic Catechism 1872 65:4). SOURCES: Chapter 7: Baptism: Destiny Of The Non-Baptized 257. Then What Happens To Infants Who Die Without Baptism? Having committed no personal sin, it seems unfitting that unbaptized infants should suffer the fate of those who are damned. A widespread theological opinion holds that their exclusion from the Beatific Vision may not necessarily entail pain and suffering; rather, infants dying without baptism could be admitted to a peaceful eternity of purely natural goods—a kind of indirect or mediate vision of God. shopping_cart 2023 Credo (Schneider) 274:1 Chapter 7: Baptism: Destiny Of The Non-Baptized 259. Would It Be Unjust To Exclude Unbaptized Infants From The Beatific Vision? No, because human nature has no right to the Beatific Vision. We may ask God to grant these children the miracle of sanctifying grace on account of His infinite mercy, but their destiny ultimately remains a mystery which we entrust to the loving providence of God. 1932 -- V18 The Catholic Catechism (Gasparri) 211:2 --0 Individual Sacraments: Baptism 359. What of the souls of those who die without baptism but in a state of original sin only? The souls of those who die without baptism but in a state of original sin only lack the beatific vision of God, but do not suffer other penalties such as are reserved for personal sins. 1872 -- V8 A Dogmatic Catechism (Frassinetti) 65:4 -- The Will of God; Predestination and Reprobation 105. At least you must admit that God does not will the salvation of children who die without baptism, and particularly of those who die before coming to the light? Holy scripture, the fathers, and the sentiment of the whole Church give us sufficient assurance that God wills the salvation of every soul, and therefore also of the souls of such children; nor must we say the contrary, though it may be difficult for us to understand in what manner he wills it. In our holy religion it is not only what we can understand that is true; we must believe many things without understanding them, and this is one.