Thousands of Catholics within the United States could need to be re-baptized after it was found that an Arizona priest had received one phrase incorrect within the blessing for over 1 / 4 of a century.
Father Andres Aragno had been performing baptism rites with the phrases “we baptize you,” somewhat than “I baptize you,” which is the components sanctioned by the Vatican. Thousands of baptisms carried out by him have thus been deemed invalid.
When did the Church notice?
Arango’s error was recognized in mid-2021, diocese spokeswoman Katie Burke informed the AFP information company on Tuesday. The priest had been working within the diocese since 1994.
“Father Arango was using the incorrect words from the beginning of his priesthood until it was brought to the attention of the diocese last summer,” Burke mentioned, including that she believes the variety of individuals baptized below the invalid ceremony to quantity within the 1000’s.
“I do not have an exact number of people baptized between 1995 and 2021, but I believe they number in the thousands.”
‘Invalid baptisms all through my ministry’
Burke mentioned that Arango has give up his common job to “dedicate his full-time ministry to helping and healing the people who were affected by this mistake.” She added that the parish was working with Arango to make preparations to baptize individuals who had been baptized invalidly.
Phoenix Bishop Thomas Olmsted confirmed that the baptisms have been invalid after “detailed examination” and session with the Vatican.
The minister introduced his resignation on Tuesday by means of the web site of the Saint Gregory Parish in Phoenix.
“It saddens me to learn that I have performed invalid baptisms throughout my ministry as a priest by regularly using an incorrect formula,” Arango mentioned.
Other invalid baptisms
Arango’s case shouldn’t be distinctive. In 2020, a Detroit priest seen in a video of his personal baptism {that a} deacon had used incorrect phrases in the course of the ceremony.
As a outcome, all baptisms carried out by the deacon between 1986 and 1999 have been deemed invalid.
In the Catholic Church, baptism is critical for believers to entry different blessings.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
