Pastor Hermae, Sim. In case of emergency Baptism by water can be replaced by Baptism of desire or Baptism by blood. According to the teaching of Holy Writ, perfect love possesses justifying power. The chief witnesses from Tradition are St. Ambrose and St. Augustine. III 68, 2.
Baptism of desire works ex opere operantis.
It bestows Sanctifying Grace, which remits original sin, all actual sins, and the eternal punishments for sin. Venial sins and temporal punishments for sin are remitted according to the intensity of the subjective disposition. The baptismal character is not imprinted nor is it the gateway to the other sacraments. Baptism of blood signifies martyrdom of an umbaptised person, that is, the patient bearing of a violent death or of an assault which of its nature leads to death, by reason of one's confession of the Christian faith, or one's practice of Christian virtue. Jesus Himself attests the justifying power of martyrdom.