‘De-baptism’ trend spreads in Belgium

CathNews Asia ^ | January 11, 2011

[Alex Murphy]

A trend to ‘de-baptism’ is growing in Belgium as Catholics leave the Church in the wake of clerical abuse scandals.

“When you don’t agree with an organisation that you never chose to join in the first place, the healthiest thing to do is to leave,” Damien Spleeters told AFP.

The 24-year-old is among a growing crowd exasperated by church policy on issues such as AIDS, and angered by revelations last year of massive child abuse by priests and lay workers.

Spleeters last year wrote to the bishop overseeing the parish where his parents had him christened as a baby to announce he no longer wanted the church “to speak in his name” so was requesting to be struck off the baptism register.

“Whilst we deplore your decision,” replied Abbot Jean-Pierre Lorette, “the Catholic Church respects each individual’s freedom and will not hold back against their will those who wish to leave it.”

Spleeters, the priest added, was in consequence “logically” excommunicated.

In an interview, the young Brussels resident said “I don’t consider myself an atheist” but explained he turned to de-baptism due to growing irritation with the Catholic hierarchy.

[srweaver]

Sure. Forgive the nun for her misguided zeal or willful malice and move on. Her actions had zero effect on your soul and/or standing before God.

[srweaver]

Sorry you are insulted by the logical extension(s) of your position. Perhaps you should re-examine it.

If “consent,” direct or implied, is the condition for being baptized, then withdrawal of that consent is, in effect, being “unbaptized,” or departing the faith.

A correct reading of the New Testament leads one to conclude that repentance and faith are the biblical requirements for salvation — baptism merely displays outwardly what has actually already happened inwardly.

And yes, you are entitled to your opinion of what the Bible teaches. However, baptism “performed as a sacrament invoking the Threefold Name” doesn’t save anybody.

[srweaver]

You’re correct. They will remain a person who once got wet during a religious ceremony, regardless of the current, chosen condition of their heart.

So if the Catholic Church wants to keep record of those who once got wet (baptized) during a religious ceremony, regardless of the present/current STATED condition of their heart/mind/will, they can just “baptize” everyone and it will make their record keeping so much easier.

Those who actually have faith in Christ will be saved...and those who don’t will be damned.

To be fair, you stated they must initially consent, or be consented for (where do you get that in the Bible?). So I guess the Catholic Church has the option to keep up its current (apparent) system of “one way” baptism recording.

“You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...”

[Mrs. Don-o]

There have always been disorders in Christ's Church. St. Paul writes of people getting drunk at the Agape Meal, and one of the "Christian" "brothers" being a man who's sleeping with his father's wife, "a kind of sexual immorality that does not occur even among pagans!"

These are terrible, and scandalous, and result in the eternal loss of souls --- but they do not constitue a reason to abandon the Church, to absent ourselves from the Sacraments, to neglect praying for the priests and Bishops (they are easy prey to Satan because we--- by the millions --- do not pray for them and correct them) --- nor may we forget that Christ said "the Gates of Hell shall not prevail" and that God's humble handmaid Mary, in view of her maternity and her Divine Son our Savior, said: "In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph."

As we are told in Hebrews 10:23-25

let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering;
for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how to spur one another
to love and good deeds,
not forsaking our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another;
and all the more as you see
the Day of the Lord drawing near.

(In "my" Bible, I see this footnote: THIS MEANS, YOU, STEVE86!)

(And right under that: YOU TOO, MRS. DON-O!)

[Mrs. Don-o]

Good post, and thanks for all this information.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Rumors. Unless you've checked out the truth of the matter, rumors should not be passed on: they are a major part of "bearing false witness against your beighbor."

All FReepers (I very much include myself) have a tendency to rumor-monger, but let's ALL try to do better in the future.

[Mrs. Don-o]

The Catholic Churtch does keep records. There are archives going back many centuries (which is one of the ways that historians of Europe, for instance, can get detailed figures regarding population: baptisms, marriages, deaths: all in the records.)

Thank you so much for your permission for us to keep our own records. :o)

[srweaver]

“In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

Really? Mary said that?

And in the last sentence of your post I assume you meant that her divine Son is our Savior, not that she is our savior (or co-redemptrix) because of her divine Son.

[srweaver]

You’re welcome. Though you don’t need it (my permission).

I’ll stick with the One who keeps perfect records. Though I wish some of my deeds weren’t recorded.

Have a great day in Christ!

[Hegewisch Dupa]

Imagine what a hit he must be at parties

[Mrs. Don-o]

Exactly.

Jesus=Our One And Only Savior and Redeemer

Mary=His creature, His handmaid, and His mom.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you for a gracious response!! I pray Christ will bless you and yours, in every possible way.

[Larry Lucido]

The de-baptiser.

[Salvation]

You are so right. There name is written in the Book of Life and they will have to answer for their sins at the moment they die.

[Salvation]

Some Catholics receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist all on the same day. Ever been to an Easter Vigil?

And it happens with infant baptisms too.

[BelegStrongbow]

Thank you!