Baptism Archives

Pope Francis: “The life of the Church is a contamination of light”
- Vatican
- August 2, 2017
“What does it mean to be Christian?” Pope Francis asked those gathered at the Paul VI hall in the Vatican during his general audience. “It means looking at the light, continuing to profess our faith in the light, even when the world is enveloped by night and darkness.”
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After two drown in Tanzania, Christians re-examine safety of river baptisms
- Global Church, Religion News Service
- July 21, 2017
In Africa, river baptism is popular, particularly among Pentecostal and charismatic churches. Drowning during baptism is not uncommon in Africa, and Tanzanian police detained a pastor in connection with the deaths of two people who drowned while being baptized. Officials have warned against using the rivers for such activities unless safety is confirmed.
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No more Godfathers in land of Corleone, Italian bishop decrees
- Global Church
- March 17, 2017
In the Sicilian archdiocese of Monreale, where the village of Corleone made famous in ‘The Godfather’ is located, Archbishop Michele Pennisi has decreed that mob bosses may no longer serve as godfathers in baptisms or sponsors for confirmations.
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Pope baptizes newborns, helps homeless fight the cold

January 8, 2017

On Sunday, Pope Francis baptized the children of Vatican employees, including thirteen girls and fifteen boys, while the papal charity office announced that it was keeping shelters open 24/7 and also allowing homeless persons to sleep in its cars in order to fight a cold spell in Rome.

In Germany, Mass-goers, priests and sacraments all in decline

Despite new figures showing an ongoing decline in people attending Mass, vocations to the priesthood and sacramental marriages in Germany, the head of the country’s Catholic bishops’ conference says “the Church in Germany continues to be a strong force, whose message is heard and accepted.”

A papal baptism is an unforgettable event for the parents

Church

January 10, 2016

ROME — Among the 26 infants lucky enough to be baptized by the pontiff Sunday on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord was Arianna Francesca Censoni, the daughter of Alessio Censoni, a security official in the Vatican museums, and his wife, Rita Cricenti Censoni. Although Arianna won’t remember