In the US, the USCCB has published an order of baptism to be used by catechists in the absence of a priest or deacon. From what I can see, the main differences in the rites are the way blessings are done (asking God's blessing rather than invoking a blessing), the absence of anointing, no "ephphetha", and the absence of a blessing of the mother and father. Also, there are no sung parts given as an option in the "by catechists" order. I don't know if the Germans have similar differences in their order of baptism or if they even care. But I find it interesting that the US has some significant changes in the rite based on who is performing it.
I'm sure I'm missing something, but I'm not seeing how this is super different from extraordinary ministers of holy communion. I suppose you could differentiate insofar as typically baptisms are one or two at a time, while communion distribution is in the hundreds at a time, so the argument about priest availability could be different i.e. too many people for one priest to distribute communion to in a timely manner, but I don't really see how it's much different in a theoretical sense.
As long as the training emphasizes "do not change the words of the Trinitarian formula" and "use water, not beer or milk", I suppose that there is not much to get wrong.
German bishop permits lay baptisms — is that allowed?
In the US, the USCCB has published an order of baptism to be used by catechists in the absence of a priest or deacon. From what I can see, the main differences in the rites are the way blessings are done (asking God's blessing rather than invoking a blessing), the absence of anointing, no "ephphetha", and the absence of a blessing of the mother and father. Also, there are no sung parts given as an option in the "by catechists" order. I don't know if the Germans have similar differences in their order of baptism or if they even care. But I find it interesting that the US has some significant changes in the rite based on who is performing it.
I'm sure I'm missing something, but I'm not seeing how this is super different from extraordinary ministers of holy communion. I suppose you could differentiate insofar as typically baptisms are one or two at a time, while communion distribution is in the hundreds at a time, so the argument about priest availability could be different i.e. too many people for one priest to distribute communion to in a timely manner, but I don't really see how it's much different in a theoretical sense.
There must be an avalanche of baptisms occurring in the diocese to require 18 baptismal helpers! Makes you wonder how Francis Xavier coped.
Wonderful news for the German Church who can continue to initiate new church tax payers without the boring masses.
As long as the training emphasizes "do not change the words of the Trinitarian formula" and "use water, not beer or milk", I suppose that there is not much to get wrong.
No time to baptise and administer the sacraments? The German clergy have become fat, lazy and grotesque.