This just in from the Vatican! If you, or your baby, or your grandchildren were "baptized" with the trendy formula of "I baptize you in the name of the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Holy Sanctifier...."
The Vatican says you were not validly baptized. And you have to have it redone the right way: ( I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. )
Also, if you were not validly baptized, and then proceeded to celebrate subsequent sacraments like Confirmation or Marriage or Holy Orders....they ALL have to get re-done!
This is one of those times when I'm really glad that I'm basically a liturgical conservative. I've never thought about using an alternate formula for baptisms, just to please those who might be offeded by patriarchal liturgical/scriptural language. There are times when it's appropriate to adapt the language of the liturgy, but then there are inappropriate times. We're supposed to be members of the Catholic Church, we're not Congregationalists! We don't make up our own rules. We are called to be in communion with the whole Catholic Church throughout the world. That means that our basic symbols, rituals, and practices look like those in other lands. It means that we don't make up practices or symbols or rituals to fit certain agendas. This is a hot topic, and one which we'll be hearing a lot about in the next few months. Stay tuned! And......watch your language!
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