Priest resigns after 20-year-long semantics error rendering baptisms invalid

[Sparagmos]

One tiny word renders thousands of pastor's baptisms over 20 years invalid

This is ridiculous, by what possible logic did the church conclude the baptisms are invalid? Are they trying to lose even more followers?

 

[timothyu]

This is ridiculous, by what possible logic did the church conclude the baptisms are invalid?

Could be a publicity stunt to get free advertising of the current changes to the doctrinal office of the Vatican.

 

[Sparagmos]

Could be a publicity stunt to get free advertising of the current changes to the doctrinal office of the Vatican.

Sorry what?

 

[Jamdoc]

This is ridiculous, by what possible logic did the church conclude the baptisms are invalid? Are they trying to lose even more followers?

Modern day Pharisees, believing that salvation comes by following a RELIGION with meticulous detail to the letter, rather than through a RELATIONSHIP with the person who created us.

I have to roll my eyes that something is considered "invalid" because the "magic words" were not done right.
it comes across more like they're doing a ritual spell to wash away sin, than symbolically dying to self and resurrecting with Christ.

"Hocus Pocus" comes from the Latin "Hoc est corpus" used before the Eucharist afterall. Taking the simplicity of Christ and making it magic spells and rituals.

 

[Nithavela]

Modern day Pharisees, believing that salvation comes by following a RELIGION with meticulous detail to the letter, rather than through a RELATIONSHIP with the person who created us.

I have to roll my eyes that something is considered "invalid" because the "magic words" were not done right.
it comes across more like they're doing a ritual spell to wash away sin, than symbolically dying to self and resurrecting with Christ.

"Hocus Pocus" comes from the Latin "Hoc est corpus" used before the Eucharist afterall. Taking the simplicity of Christ and making it magic spells and rituals.

Maybe you should ease up on the rhetoric against catholicism a bit.

 

[Jamdoc]

Maybe you should ease up on the rhetoric against catholicism a bit.

I'm taking my example from Matthew 23.

 

[disciple Clint]

One tiny word renders thousands of pastor's baptisms over 20 years invalid

OK I have to ask, if baptism by intention is accepted by the Catholic Church which it is if I remember my Theology classes on the Catholic views of Theology, why would these people not be considered baptized, not only did they have the intention they participated in every way possible. AND what if the WE would be more appropriate than I, after all God is three persons and God does say, man was made in OUR image

 

[Nithavela]

I'm taking my example from Matthew 23.

You do you.

 

[NxNW]

What's absurd about this is I've read statements by the Pope referring to "our Papacy", meaning he and God. Apparently "we" and "our" are appropriate for the Papacy, but not for baptism. And remember when the Catholic Church decided that "and also with you" had to be changed to "and with your spirit"? Were all those Masses with the prior language rendered invalid as well? And didn't they get rid of the concept of Limbo a few years ago? Did it cease to exist, or did somebody just not like the idea? For a religion that claims to be perfect and unchanging, they sure do change stuff around a lot.

 

[durangodawood]

So God is obsessive with grammar?

Its not grammar.

 

[Martinius]

I get the feeling that some functionary in the Vatican sent this letter. If I were the bishop of that diocese, I would have made some additional inquiries and got clarification. I don't have ready access to decisions in similar situations, but my memory is that a variation in words does not invalidate a sacrament.

The words that we use are the creation of people in the early church. I don't recall any command from Jesus that said exactly how we should say the words for baptism or any other sacraments. I predict that this decision will be reversed, and it will be blamed on some kind of miscommunication or misunderstanding. At least I can hope; otherwise, this is very embarrassing for the Church.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

It's a good thing they caught this grievous error before it went any further, otherwise it would've completely cheapened and invalidated the totally sensible concept of putting a baby through a religious commitment ceremony a decade before they're even remotely capable of understanding what's going on.

 

[Michie]

Stranger and stranger.

Interview: Father Matt Hood, the priest who discovered he was invalidly baptized (and ordained)

 

[timothyu]

Well that is what happens when a church aligns with state.. political correctness.

 

[Michie]

Well that is what happens when a church aligns with state.. political correctness.

How so?

 

[timothyu]

How so?

Should have put a smilie in there

 

[durangodawood]

Stranger and stranger.

Interview: Father Matt Hood, the priest who discovered he was invalidly baptized (and ordained)

How is that strange? It's a completely expected outcome of this mess up, given the rules in play.

 

[Michie]

How is that strange? It's a completely expected outcome of this mess up, given the rules in play.

Strange because I was not expecting this to include a priest finding out his baptism was invalid.

 

[RestoreTheJoy]

One tiny word renders thousands of pastor's baptisms over 20 years invalid

That's ridiculous. They are still baptized in the eyes of God (if not the RCC).

 

[hedrick]

I agree with the Catholic Church on many things. But there’s a strain of legalism, and this incident certainly exposes it. It’s hard to believe ant Christian organization taking this position.