Catholic Bishops approve ‘Mutual Recognition of Baptism’ for UCC, three other denominations

Culminating nearly seven years of study and discourse, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) voted Nov. 16 during its fall general assembly in Baltimore to approve the “Common Agreement on Mutual Recognition of Baptism.”

By a 204-11 vote, the agreement – among the USCCB, the United Church of Christ, Presbyterian Church-USA, Reformed Church in America and Christian Reformed Church – is being hailed as a “milestone on the ecumenical journey,” says Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, chairman of the USCCB Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.

“Together with our Reformed brothers and sisters, we Catholic bishops can affirm baptism as the basis of the real, even if incomplete, unity we share in Christ,” says Gregory. “Our conference looks forward to seeing all four of the authoritative bodies of the Reformed communities approve the common agreement as we have today.”

The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, general minister and president of the UCC, says the church will discuss the USCCB’s landmark vote with the entire denomination.

“My expectation is that we the issue will be placed before the Executive Council or the General Synod for official action,” says Black, referring to the UCC’s biennial conference, to be held next July in Tampa, Fla. “At this point, my preference would be to place it before the General Synod in order to give it maximum visibility in the life of the UCC.”

The agreement has been ratified by the Presbyterian Church. The Reformed Church in America and the Christian Reformed Church are expected to consider the agreement at their national meetings.

“It was quite the journey – seven years,” says the Rev. Sidney F. Fowler, Interim Senior Minister of Westmoreland Congregational UCC in Bethesda, Md. “I think it offers an opportunity for an amazing conversation among UCC folks who have deep ecumenical commitments.”

“There were some rather tough moments,” says Fowler, who has worked for the national settings of both the UCC in worship and spiritual formation, and has extensive experience developing lectionary-based and international ecumenical resources.

The two primary roadblocks to the agreement centered on language used during the baptismal rite and the manner in which water is used.

“At a moment of significant impasse, Geoffrey brought fresh eyes and asked crucial questions that helped the process move forward so all parties could sign off on the common agreement,” says Kimberly Whitney, UCC minister for community life and assistant to the UCC’s five-member Collegium. “Our general minister and president looks forward to charging us as a denomination toward continued groundbreaking and visionary connections – both interfaith and ecumenical – that are ahead of us.”

Research found that nearly 20 percent of UCC churches were using alternative language for “the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” for baptismal formula, says Fowler. “Catholics don’t recognize baptism other than ‘in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.’ “

Gregory says the agreement, after approval by the four Reformed denominations, will “allow Catholic ministers to presume that baptisms performed in these communities are ‘true baptism’ as understood in Catholic doctrine and law.”

“The presentation of a baptismal certificate by Reformed Christians who wish to come into full communion with the Catholic Church, or to marry a Catholic, assures Catholic ministers that the baptism performed by a Reformed minister involved the use of flowing water and the biblical invocation of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,” says Gregory.

The agreement encourages local Christian communities to keep baptismal records, a practice already held in the Catholic Church.

The press release stated that other bishops’ conferences worldwide have entered into similar agreements with local Protestant communities, but this document is “unprecedented” for the Catholic Church in the United States.

Categories: United Church of Christ News

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