A Catholic priest in Arizona has been forced to step down after finding out that all the baptisms he performed until June last year were ‘invalid’ after saying just one word wrong.
Father Andres Arango has apologised to the ‘numerous’ people affected, with the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix confirming that any baptisms by him that took place up until 17 June 2021 – so, a fair few, no doubt – are ‘presumed invalid’.
This is all because Arango used the word ‘we’ instead of ‘I’, in turn invalidating the baptism.
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The diocese shared a statement on its website, saying: “We are saddened to announce some difficult information regarding baptisms performed by Rev. Andres Arango, a priest of the Diocese of Phoenix, who also had been a member of the Eudist religious community.
"After careful study, it has been determined that the form (words) Fr. Andres used for the sacrament of baptism has been incorrect, and all of the baptisms he has performed until June 17, 2021, are presumed invalid.
"Any baptisms performed by Fr. Andres after June 17, 2021, are presumed valid and do not need to be repeated.
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“Please be assured that things like this have happened before in the history of the Church, and the Diocese of Phoenix is ready to do all we can to address every person who has been invalidly baptized by Fr. Andres.”
In an FAQ section underneath the statement, the diocese explains ‘what exactly happened’, continuing: “The formula (or words) Fr. Andres was accustomed to using during the Rite of Baptism in English and Spanish for both children and adults was the phrase, ‘we baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’
“The word in question is the use of ‘we’ in place of ‘I.’ It is not the community that baptizes a person and incorporates them into the Church of Christ; rather, it is Christ, and Christ alone, who presides at all sacraments; therefore, it is Christ who baptizes.
"The Baptismal Formula (the words used in the Rite) has always been guarded for this reason: so it is clear that we receive our baptism through Jesus and not the community.
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“If you were baptized using the wrong words, that means your baptism is invalid, and you are not baptized. You will need to be baptized.”
The diocese also said anyone affected – whether they were baptised themselves, or their child – should contact their pastor of complete a form on the website.
In a statement, Arango announced his resignation, saying it had been a ‘blessing and an honor to have served and worked alongside people’ he considers ‘dear friends and family’.
“It is with a heavy heart that I find myself writing this letter of notification to a wonderful parish family that I once served,” Arango said.
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“It saddens me to learn that I have performed invalid baptisms throughout my ministry as a priest by regularly using an incorrect formula.
"I deeply regret my error and how this has affected numerous people in your parish and elsewhere. With the help of the Holy Spirit and in communion with the Diocese of Phoenix I will dedicate my energy and full time ministry to help remedy this and heal those affected.
"In order to do this, I have resigned from my position as pastor of St. Gregory parish in Phoenix effective February 1, 2022.”
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He added: “I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience my actions have caused and genuinely ask for your prayers, forgiveness, and understanding.”
Thomas J Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix, also apologised for what happened, expressing his 'sincere pastoral concern'.
Olmsted also said he did not think Arango intended to 'harm' anyone, asking people to pray for him and all those impacted.
He said: "I do not believe Fr. Andres had any intentions to harm the faithful or deprive them of the grace of baptism and the sacraments. On behalf of our local Church, I too am sincerely sorry that this error has resulted in disruption to the sacramental lives of a number of the faithful."
Topics: US News
Jess Hardiman