Denominations reach baptism agreement

Representatives of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and four Reformed Christian denominations signed an agreement this week in Austin, Texas, to recognize the validity of each other’s baptisms.

The four Reformed denominations are the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Christian Reformed Church in North America and the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America.

Practically speaking, the agreement may not mean much change. All of the churches involved generally have accepted each other’s baptisms, so a “re-baptism” is not needed when the member of one of the churches joins another of the churches.

The signing took place in St. Mary Cathedral in Austin at the opening of the annual meeting of the ecumenical association Christian Churches Together, which includes more than 40 Christian communions and groups.

“There has already been a strong response from CCT members who have said this represents healing,” said Father John Crossin, executive director of USCCB’s Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. “In the past, there has been much confusion, and even pain, over the failure to reach an understanding on this question. Our hope is that this would be a model for similar agreements.”

The agreement is the result of a decade of talks between Reformed churches and Catholic leaders. The groups agreed that a valid baptism must include flowing water and be performed in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Tags: life, religion