Baptism

The Latest

Cardinal Osoro baptizes a child Sept. 27 in Madrid.

Children who faced abortion baptized in Spain

Oct 8, 2020

Fourteen children whose mothers considered abortion were baptized last month in Madrid by the city’s archbishop, Cardinal Carlos Osoro.  Read more

Bishop Michael Olson.

Fort Worth Bishop Olson apologizes for ‘horrible effects’ of invalid baptisms

Sep 18, 2020

By JD Flynn

An Oklahoma City priest who discovered he was invalidly baptized as a child received that invalid sacrament from a deacon... Read more

Fr. Zachary Boazman, left, after the baptism of a baby, right.

Invalidly baptized Oklahoma priest baptized and ‘re-ordained’ 

Sep 16, 2020

By Mary Farrow

In the second known instance in the United States, a man who believed himself to be a validly baptized Catholic... Read more

My baptism was valid...right?

Aug 24, 2020

By Jonah McKeown

Last week, the news broke that Father Matthew Hood of the Archdiocese of Detroit had this summer learned that he... Read more

Pope Francis ordains 10 men to the priesthood May 7, 2017.

Detroit man thought he was a priest. He wasn't even a baptized Catholic

Aug 22, 2020

By JD Flynn

Father Matthew Hood of the Archdiocese of Detroit thought he became a priest in 2017. He hadn't even been baptized.  Read more

A 12th-century baptismal font at Collegiate Church of St. Bartholomew, Liège, Belgium.

Catholic Church in Belgium sees rise in adult baptisms

Aug 22, 2020

The Catholic Church in Belgium has reported a significant rise in adult baptisms.  Read more

Pope Francis, December 13, 2019.

Pope Francis baptizes conjoined twins separated in Rome

Aug 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has baptized twins who were born conjoined at the head and were separated at the Vatican’s pediatric hospital.  Read more

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican: Baptisms administered 'in name of the community' are invalid

Aug 6, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s doctrinal office issued Thursday a clarification on the sacrament of baptism, stating changes to the formula to emphasize... Read more

Holy water and Super Soakers don't mix, priests say

May 27, 2020

After photos appearing to depict blessings or baptisms by water gun went viral online, several priests cautioned that Catholics should... Read more

Baptism.

French bishops approve removing parents’ gender from baptismal forms

Jan 15, 2020

The French Catholic bishops’ conference permanent council has approved a recommendation to remove references to the sex of parents on... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes a child in the Sistine Chapel on Jan. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis: It is beautiful when babies cry at Mass

Jan 12, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis baptized 32 babies in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, telling parents not to worry if their children cry at... Read more

Baptism.

Baptismal record for same-sex couples causes controversy in Colombia

Jul 25, 2019

The recent baptism of a child raised by a same-sex couple has caused a controversy in Colombia, after a parish... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes a baby in the Sistine Chapel Jan. 13, 2019.

Children must see the faith lived at home, pope tells parents

Jan 13, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

At Mass in the Sistine Chapel Sunday, Pope Francis baptized 27 babies, reminding their parents that the first space in... Read more

Mary McAleese.

Infant baptism violates human rights, says former Irish president

Jun 25, 2018

Former Irish President Mary McAleese has said that the baptism of infants is a form of coercion, calling on the... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience May 23, 2018.

The Holy Spirit makes our works effective, Pope Francis says

May 23, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy Spirit helps Catholics to do good works by giving them the gifts they need to be effective 'salt... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square March 14, 2018.

Pope Francis decries 'spiral of violence' in Middle East

May 16, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Expressing his sorrow for those who have lost their lives, Pope Francis Wednesday called for peace and dialogue in the... Read more

Pope Francis baptizes 26 infants in the Sistine Chapel Jan. 10, 2016.

Pope: Nothing can erase baptism, that's why it only happens once

May 9, 2018

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Wednesday that nothing can take away a person's baptism or the identity they thereby gain as a... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square for a Jubilee of Mercy audience June 18, 2016.

Following Christ is an all or nothing deal, Pope Francis says

May 2, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

It is not possible to have a relationship with God if we are attached to sin and the devil, Pope... Read more

Pope Francis during the general audience Oct. 18, 2017.

Pope Francis: The Christian life is a battle against evil

Apr 25, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis spoke about the temptations encountered in the Christian life, encouraging the faithful not to be discouraged... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the end of the General Audience March 14, 2018.

The sign of the cross is our badge, Pope Francis says

Apr 18, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that to make the sign of the cross is to mark ourselves as Christians, and... Read more