Posted on 03/16/2022 5:39:23 PM PDT by marshmallow
A German Catholic diocese has commissioned 17 women to administer baptisms, citing a shortfall in the number of priests.
The Diocese of Essen, in Germany’s industrial Ruhr area, is the first diocese in the country to commission a group of women to administer the sacrament, reported CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner.
Theresa Kohlmeyer, head of the department of faith, liturgy, and culture in the diocese, said that the step was necessary because there were “fewer priests than in the past.”
She added there was “a great need on the part of baptismal families for the most individual accompaniment and worship service possible.”
Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen explained that the decision to commission lay people — 17 women and one man — for a period of three years was a response to “a pastorally difficult situation.”
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicnewsagency.com ...
Anyone can baptize a child, but are there no deacons either?
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3946985/posts
German Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck, who played an important role in preparing for the controversial 2019 Amazon Synod in Rome, has stated that he will not suspend priests in his diocese who continue to bless homosexual couples, in defiance of the new Vatican document against such “blessings.”. . .
It is a mistake to call the German bishops “Catholic;” they are every bit as heretical as Martin Luther was, but they have riches from the government church tax, so they’re alright by Rome.
Perhaps they should address why, after 2000 years, there is a shortage of priests.
Hint: The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter has to turn away applicants because they have no more room in their seminary.
In an emergency, any Catholic can baptize an infant.
My mother, an R.N., did so.
Regards,
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