Sacraments

Vatican says baptisms done with plural pronouns are invalid
- Aug 6, 2020
On Thursday the Vatican issued a response to a question about the validity of baptisms using a modified formula, insisting that any baptisms celebrated with a formula other than the one approved and in the Church’s liturgical books are invalid.

By Elise Ann Allen
Don’t ‘blackmail’ kids into coming to church, Vatican official says
- Jun 25, 2020
Although he said, “I would never go to war” over the proper age to administer the sacrament of confirmation, Archbishop Rino Fisichella said too often it seems that the sacrament is delayed to “blackmail” young people into continuing to come to church.

By Cindy Wooden
Vatican says don’t deny disabled people the sacraments
- Jun 25, 2020
In a set of updated guidelines for catechesis released Thursday, the Vatican weighed in on what has long been a debate among theologians, insisting that the Church’s sacraments are a gift, and as such, they cannot be denied to disabled people.

By Elise Ann Allen

Conference equips pastoral leaders as parishes begin to reopen
- May 26, 2020
As questions swirl around plans to resume public liturgies, hundreds of ministry professionals tasked with implementing those plans gathered online for two weeks of dialogue and training on mission and the sacramental life.

By Nick Mayrand
Masses in Italy are a go, but other sacraments still suffer restrictions
- May 20, 2020
While Catholics in Italy are enthusiastic about finally being able to attend Mass after a two months hiatus due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, there are several other areas of ecclesial life that are still on hold.

By Elise Ann Allen
In Italy, possible dates floated for gradual return to liturgical life
- Apr 30, 2020
In Italy potential dates for restarting public liturgies have emerged, however, they are not set in stone, and a recent moment of tension between the Italian bishops and the government that Pope Francis intervened in has left many wondering just how unified the Vatican and the bishops’ approach to the coronavirus is.

By Elise Ann Allen

Vatican says baptisms done with plural pronouns are invalid