Cradle Catholic here. The powers-that-be within the Catholic Church are being ridiculous about this whole kerfuffle. They’re all about retaining absolute control through micro-management. Certain people need to get over themselves and quit trying to stuff God into a box. (Me too, probably.)
I guess, the issue is, if it were a lay person / a non christian, the right intention to perform the sacrament though unaware of the formula is justifiable unlike a trained priest intentionally changes the formula for his personal choice is considered grave.
Thank you for your article. I think its content leaves out an essential element, that of ecclesiology. From the beginning, followers of Christ viewed themselves as a visible community, with the ability to define borders and boundaries. The Didache has specific instructions on how to baptize (in running water). Ignatius of Antioch forbade baptism without the bishop being present. Cyprian expends great effort to develop, along with others, the boundaries for post-lapsarian repentance and the church's position on the (im)possibility of rebaptism. Irenaeus thinks that a certain sub-group (the apostolic churches) have the ability to define the true content of the rule of faith, in response to Valentinians, etc.
We should ask ourselves where all of these believers got the idea that they had the authority to issue such directives. They clearly claimed it from the very beginning. In choosing to ignore this aspect of sacramental theology, we become merely "individual Christians", each with our own ability to define the content of the Faith as we see it. Giving this authority its due attention would change your article in many, beneficial ways.
Thank you for your ministry to us. I often learn from you in ways that deepen my faith.
Cradle Catholic here. The powers-that-be within the Catholic Church are being ridiculous about this whole kerfuffle. They’re all about retaining absolute control through micro-management. Certain people need to get over themselves and quit trying to stuff God into a box. (Me too, probably.)
I guess, the issue is, if it were a lay person / a non christian, the right intention to perform the sacrament though unaware of the formula is justifiable unlike a trained priest intentionally changes the formula for his personal choice is considered grave.
David,
Thank you for your article. I think its content leaves out an essential element, that of ecclesiology. From the beginning, followers of Christ viewed themselves as a visible community, with the ability to define borders and boundaries. The Didache has specific instructions on how to baptize (in running water). Ignatius of Antioch forbade baptism without the bishop being present. Cyprian expends great effort to develop, along with others, the boundaries for post-lapsarian repentance and the church's position on the (im)possibility of rebaptism. Irenaeus thinks that a certain sub-group (the apostolic churches) have the ability to define the true content of the rule of faith, in response to Valentinians, etc.
We should ask ourselves where all of these believers got the idea that they had the authority to issue such directives. They clearly claimed it from the very beginning. In choosing to ignore this aspect of sacramental theology, we become merely "individual Christians", each with our own ability to define the content of the Faith as we see it. Giving this authority its due attention would change your article in many, beneficial ways.
Thank you for your ministry to us. I often learn from you in ways that deepen my faith.