“Vatican Says Transgender People Can Be Baptized and Become Godparents. A document approved by Pope Francis lays out nuanced guidance in keeping with his vision of a more inclusive church, but it does not amount to a policy change in the church, the Vatican says. ”
“Latin America still has the world's largest Catholic population. Church in LA reported 562MM baptized members in 2020, that's 41% of the world's share. Europe=286MM Catholics or 21%, Africa=256MM Catholics or 19%...While there were 8.2MM christenings in 2000, it fell to 5.1MM in 2020."
“Elvira Neumann, a parish animator, support person and member of a team of 3 lay people who, together with a priest, are responsible for running the parish. Neumann, who has a degree in theology, is now also part of a group of 18 people – 17 of them women – whom Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck”
“Since the official rites of the Catholic indicate that baptism is administered using the words, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," Bishop Olmstead judged that the use of "we" instead of "I" had the effect of invalidating thousands of baptisms.”
“She was one of 18 laypersons – including 17 women – who were officially commissioned by Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck on March 12 during a Mass in Essen's cathedral to celebrate baptisms.”
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Vatican Says Transgender People Can Be Baptized and Become Godparents
Latin America sees significant drop in Catholic baptisms
Two Cathlolic dioceses in Germany allow lay people to preside at baptisms
Invalid Baptisms?
German Catholic bishop appoints laywomen to do baptisms
