The Bishop’s Choice of Theology Over Care
Written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Recently, CNN reported on a Roman Catholic priest who was informed: “he performed invalid baptisms throughout most of his more than 20-year career.” The bishop from the priest’s diocese in Phoenix, Arizona, explained the horrific error that negated thousands of baptisms. Father Andres Arango “would say, ‘We baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ But Olmstead explained the words ‘We baptize’ should have been ‘I baptize’ instead.” The unforgivable mistake of using “we” insinuated the community has a hand in the baptism. In Roman Catholic theology, only Christ presides at all in the sacrament.
I understand the power of words. Words have meaning, and failing to respect terms leads to confusion and misinterpretation. Yet, does the bishop’s decision ultimately fulfill the vision of the Church’s ministry. Does the one-word mistake warrant the pain thousands of faithful people are going through, now wondering if their eternal salvation has been at risk? The bishop’s decision may have been right within Roman Catholic theology, but right can be wrong if it damages the Roman Catholic Church and all of Christianity. Law over human compassion feeds the negative narrative that Christianity is filled with heartless people who are more concerned with rules than human beings.
Please do not think I am being disrespectful to the Roman Catholic Church. Wherever there are human beings, there is dysfunction and hurt. The Presbyterian Church (USA) is far from perfect either. If you are looking for the perfect church in the perfect denomination, you will be looking to the day you die. Still, we Christians must try harder to offer compassion more than theological perfection. Otherwise, we will be affirming our correctness as they close our sanctuary doors for the last time.
Today, prayerfully forgive your church and your denomination. While this situation with the bishop revoking the priest’s baptisms is awful, it does not negate the millions of compassionate actions and faith their denomination does every year. Likewise, rather than give up on Christianity because of the mistakes by individuals, affirm the God who does not disappoint. Our God wants us to continue to live in community and not give up on the Church because the Church sometimes gives up on us. God calls us by name and will not leave us in our baptism. Therefore, do not leave God when those in the church disappoint us.
