During the administration of baptism, the Church requires that at least one godparent/sponsor be present. However, in some cases this may not be possible, so at least one credible witness should act in their place. Such a witness can a non-Catholic from a non-Catholic church community but also a Catholic who will not formally act as a godfather. The presence of such a witness may prove necessary at a later time when there is a need to testify that the baptised actually received the sacrament. However, both the absence of a godfather and a witness are not obstacles to the administration of the sacrament.
PL
Podczas udzielania sakramentu chrztu św. Kościół wymaga obecności przynajmniej jednego chrzestnego. Jednak w pewnych sytuacjach może nie być takiej możliwości, dlatego wtedy należy zatroszczyć się o przynajmniej jednego wiarygodnego świadka. Takim świadkiem może być nie tylko niekatolik ze wspólnoty kościelnej niekatolickiej, ale również katolik, który nie będzie pełnił zadania chrzestnego. Obecność takiego świadka może okazać się bardzo potrzebna w późniejszym czasie tak, aby można było udowodnić fakt przyjęcia sakramentu chrztu św., gdy będzie taka konieczność. Jednakże zarówno brak chrzestnego, jak i brak świadka chrztu, nie może stanowić przeszkody do udzielenia tego sakramentu.
The "separated brethren" were authoritatively recognized as ministers of baptism as early as the third century, by Pope Stephen I (254-257). Nevertheless, the possibility of these persons performing the functions of ministers of this sacrament has been repeatedly taken up and commented on by the ecclesiastical legislator over the following centuries. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to present the issue of recognizing Catholic Christians as ministers of baptism in the legislation of the Roman Catholic Church in a historical and ecumenical perspective. To this end, the legal material of interest to us has been analyzed, from pre-code law to the norms currently in force contained in the Code of Canon Law of 1983 and in the Ecumenical Directory of 1993.
PL
„Bracia odłączeni” autorytatywnie zostali uznani za szafarzy chrztu już w trzecim wieku, przez papieża Stefana I (254-257). Pomimo to jednak możliwość pełnienia przez wymienione osoby funkcji szafarzy tego sakramentu była wielokrotnie podejmowana i komentowana przez prawodawcę kościelnego w ciągu kolejnych stuleci. Celem zatem niniejszego artykułu jest przedstawienie zagadnienia uznawania chrześcijan akatolików za szafarzy chrztu w prawodawstwie Kościoła rzymskokatolickiego w ujęciu historyczno- ekumenicznym. W tym celu został poddany analizie materiał prawny, dotyczący interesującej nas kwestii, od prawa przedkodeksowego do aktualnie obowiązujących norm zawartych w Kodeksie prawa kanonicznego z 1983 r., jak i w Dyrektorium ekumenicznym z 1993 r.
Papież Benedykt XVI w encyklice Caritas in veritate pisze: „Dzisiejszy świat jest przeniknięty pewnymi kulturami o podłożu religijnym, które nie kierują człowieka do komunii, ale izolują go w poszukiwaniu indywidualnego dobrobytu” (nr 55). Często ten dobrobyt prowadzi ludzi do odrzucenia Boga oraz życia religijnego. „Bez Boga człowiek jednak – zdaniem Benedykta XVI – nie wie, dokąd zmierza i nie potrafi nawet zrozumieć tego, kim jest” (nr 78). Ludzkie stworzenie bowiem, jako posiadające naturę duchową, realizuje się przede wszystkim najpełniej w relacjach z Bogiem i w relacjach międzyludzkich. Odnosi się to szczególnie – jak czytamy w konstytucji dogmatycznej o Kościele Lumen gentium – do wspólnoty rodzinnej, w której każde dziecko przez sakrament chrztu zostaje włączone w żywą relację z Bogiem i Kościołem. To w domu rodzice mają być dla siebie nawzajem oraz dla swoich dzieci pierwszymi świadkami wiary oraz miłości Chrystusa (por. nr 35). Rodzina posiada szczególne możliwości dla spełnienia swych funkcji wychowawczych. Wynika to także z faktu odpowiedzialności rodziny wobec młodego człowieka. Deklaracja o wychowaniu chrześcijańskim Gravissimum educationis podkreśla: „Rodzice, ponieważ dali życie dzieciom, w najwyższym stopniu są zobowiązani do wychowania potomstwa i dlatego muszą być uznani za pierwszych i głównych wychowawców” (nr 3). Od najmłodszych zatem lat rodzice chrześcijańscy powinni uczyć dzieci poszanowania i czci Boga oraz bliźniego. Również jako pierwsi wychowawcy oraz katecheci, powinni być świadomi posiadanej wiedzy religijnej, umiejętności wychowawczych, odpowiedzialności za dziecko oraz jego wychowanie religijne. Powinni ponadto rozumieć potrzebę tworzenia klimatu chrześcijańskiego w rodzinie. Papież Benedykt XVI wzywa rodziców chrześcijańskich, by pomagali swoim dzieciom wierzyć, by towarzyszyli im w drodze do Jezusa i z Jezusem, bo życie w rodzinie – według papieża – staje się bardziej radosne i otwarte, jeśli jest w nim obecny Bóg i doświadcza się Jego bliskości, zwłaszcza podczas modlitwy.
The article presents the use of the symbolism of light in John Chrysostom’s catechesis addressed to catechumens and neophytes. It shows how the catechist from Antioch describes the baptismal celebration as well as those who attend it. It also emphasizes the tasks that Chrysostom places before the newly baptized members of the Church community, using the symbol of light in their context and juxtaposing it with the opposition light–dark.
PL
Artykuł przedstawia wykorzystanie symboliki światła w katechezach Jana Chryzostoma skierowanych do katechumenów i neofitów. Ukazuje, w jaki sposób katecheta z Antiochii opisuje celebrację chrzcielną, a także tych, którzy do niej przystępują. Podkreśla również zadania, jakie Chryzostom stawia przed nowo ochrzczonymi członkami wspólnoty Kościoła, używając przy tym w ich kontekście symbolu światła i zestawiając go z porównaniem światło – ciemność.
In their pastoral service the hierarchs of the Greek Catholic Church found it very important to explain the meaning of holy sacraments. They stressed their role in Christian life. However, there was a significant difference between the teachings of bishop Khomyshyn and archbishop Sheptytsky. Khomyshyn focused on theological aspects, while Sheptytsky mixed theology with politics.
God acts “ordinary” through the sacraments of the Church and saves us from sin, however always remains open for us a question about the way of salvation. In the space of theological researches and their pastoral applications, however, controversial concepts have emerged, raising a number of questions and doubts that demand a critical assessment. These include concepts of “generational sin”, “intergenerational forgiveness” and “wicket’s confession”. Theological reflection and the involvement of the pastors of the Church in Poland brought with them concrete results in the form of competent theological opinions and disciplinary regulations, and this whole process has become an opportunity to deepen the awareness of God’s action in the sacraments of baptism and penance, as well as the theological-pastoral challenge.
“Intergenerational forgiveness” is actually a prayer for intergenerational forgiveness, and its purpose is “healing of the family tree” or to achieve “intergenerational healing”. It appeared in connection with diseases and sufferings of the people and the need for pastoral care of them. Doubtful, however, is already the biblical context of this phenomenon and interpretation of related biblical texts requir mature biblical hermeneutics. Difficult to avoid are also dogmatic problems, mainly related to the efficacy of the sacraments of baptism and penance. All these circumstances suggest the need to completely abandon this concept in theory and practice.
PL
„Przebaczenie międzypokoleniowe” oznacza właściwie modlitwę o przebaczenie międzypokoleniowe, a jego celem jest „uzdrowienie drzewa rodowego” lub osiągnięcie „uzdrowienia międzypokoleniowego”. Pojawiło się w związku z chorobami i cierpieniami ludzi oraz potrzebą opieki duszpasterskiej nad nimi. Wątpliwy jest jednak już sam kontekst biblijny tego zjawiska, interpretacja tekstów wymaga dojrzałej hermeneutyki biblijnej, a związane z nim problemy dogmatyczne, przede wszystkim dotyczące skuteczności sakramentów chrztu i pokuty, sugerują konieczność całkowitego porzucenia tej koncepcji w teorii i praktyce.
The Article presents the issues regarding the sacrament of baptism as a gateway of faith, the source of Christian life and pledge of eternal salvation. Starting from considerations contained in the Document of the International Theological Commission “The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die without Being Baptised” (2007), author is trying to take a look on the practice of baptism of children and some elements of Catholic baptismal theology. The text is touching also the problem of limbo from the point of view of contemporary Magisterium of the Church.After presenting in synthetic form biblical fundaments of the baptismal theology, and the practice of the Church regarding the baptism of children, the text introduces to the traditional doctrine of the Catholic Church regarding the necessity of baptism of children. The paper presents then the elements of the contemporary teaching of the Magisterium regarding the sacrament of baptism with the particular attention to the statements of the Second Vatican Council, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Instruction on Infant Baptism Pastoralis actio), The Code of Canon Law, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the teaching of Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The texts of the Magisterium and the development of studies of contemporary theologians allow to look in a new perspective on the practice of the Church regarding baptism of children.Biblical, historical, and theological perspective of presentation of the problem leads to the conclusion that the question to be asked in relation to the baptism of children is not “whether or not baptize the children?” but “why should we baptize the children?”. The answer to that question is located in the dogma regarding salvation and in the dogma regarding sacraments as the tools necessary for salvation entrusted by Christ to the Church. The baptism is undoubtedly the sacrament of salvation. It is an instrument, which the Church has received from Jesus in order to transmit it to all the people.The task of the Church is to pass this salvation to all the people. Fulfilling Christ’s mandate, the Church from the beginnings, proclaimed the Good News and baptized. Minimalistic understanding of that command of Jesus based on the logic of order and duty led the scholastic theology to develop of the theory of limbo. The obligation to fulfil some minimum for salvation have lead to seek a solution of dilemma concerning the destiny of those who will not be able to fulfil the order directly, that is to be baptized of water, or indirectly (in voto), which refers to the baptism of desire and the baptism of blood. The scholastic theology has proposed some substitute of salvation that is the theory of limbo puerorum. Limbo would be the substitute of eternal happiness for those children, who would not have any possibility to fulfil the minimum established by commandment.From the perspective of the contemporary Magisterium, this minimalistic interpretation is insufficient. In order to understand the meaning of the sacrament of baptism we should change perspective. We must move our attention from the legal duties and conditions that the person must fulfilled in order to be baptized, and redirect it on God himself, on the One who is the source of the grace of baptism and all the spiritual gifts, all goods, which God gives to the man in this sacrament. In this perspective, baptism appears as the most precious gift of God by which Jesus Himself gives to the man the grace of faith and pledge of salvation. Baptism appears as an encounter in which God communicates with man, and endows him His love and life. The Sacrament of Baptism, especially the baptism of children, reminds a wonderful truth, which is gratuitousness of salvation. Baptism of children also proves that faith is a gift that initiates our way to the fullness of life. In this perspective, it would be difficult today to defend the theory of limbo. The Church practices to baptize the children not because of fear of the possibility of reduction and even deprivation of eternal beatitude of those who cannot fulfil some formal requirements to receive this sacrament. The practice of the infant baptism expresses the faith of the Church in the power of God’s love and His will to save every human being.God has an infinite number of possibilities to provide salvation to man even outside of the sacrament of baptism. The Church has just only such a tool, and that is why the Church baptizes the children. The faith is the gift. The salvation is the most precious gift of God. The Church therefore desires share this wonderful gift with all the children, that they may have God, and have life, and have it in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10).
PL
The Article presents the issues regarding the sacrament of baptism as a gateway of faith, the source of Christian life and pledge of eternal salvation. Starting from considerations contained in the Document of the International Theological Commission “The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die without Being Baptised” (2007), author is trying to take a look on the practice of baptism of children and some elements of Catholic baptismal theology. The text is touching also the problem of limbo from the point of view of contemporary Magisterium of the Church.After presenting in synthetic form biblical fundaments of the baptismal theology, and the practice of the Church regarding the baptism of children, the text introduces to the traditional doctrine of the Catholic Church regarding the necessity of baptism of children. The paper presents then the elements of the contemporary teaching of the Magisterium regarding the sacrament of baptism with the particular attention to the statements of the Second Vatican Council, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (Instruction on Infant Baptism Pastoralis actio), The Code of Canon Law, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the teaching of Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI. The texts of the Magisterium and the development of studies of contemporary theologians allow to look in a new perspective on the practice of the Church regarding baptism of children.Biblical, historical, and theological perspective of presentation of the problem leads to the conclusion that the question to be asked in relation to the baptism of children is not “whether or not baptize the children?” but “why should we baptize the children?”. The answer to that question is located in the dogma regarding salvation and in the dogma regarding sacraments as the tools necessary for salvation entrusted by Christ to the Church. The baptism is undoubtedly the sacrament of salvation. It is an instrument, which the Church has received from Jesus in order to transmit it to all the people.The task of the Church is to pass this salvation to all the people. Fulfilling Christ’s mandate, the Church from the beginnings, proclaimed the Good News and baptized. Minimalistic understanding of that command of Jesus based on the logic of order and duty led the scholastic theology to develop of the theory of limbo. The obligation to fulfil some minimum for salvation have lead to seek a solution of dilemma concerning the destiny of those who will not be able to fulfil the order directly, that is to be baptized of water, or indirectly (in voto), which refers to the baptism of desire and the baptism of blood. The scholastic theology has proposed some substitute of salvation that is the theory of limbo puerorum. Limbo would be the substitute of eternal happiness for those children, who would not have any possibility to fulfil the minimum established by commandment.From the perspective of the contemporary Magisterium, this minimalistic interpretation is insufficient. In order to understand the meaning of the sacrament of baptism we should change perspective. We must move our attention from the legal duties and conditions that the person must fulfilled in order to be baptized, and redirect it on God himself, on the One who is the source of the grace of baptism and all the spiritual gifts, all goods, which God gives to the man in this sacrament. In this perspective, baptism appears as the most precious gift of God by which Jesus Himself gives to the man the grace of faith and pledge of salvation. Baptism appears as an encounter in which God communicates with man, and endows him His love and life. The Sacrament of Baptism, especially the baptism of children, reminds a wonderful truth, which is gratuitousness of salvation. Baptism of children also proves that faith is a gift that initiates our way to the fullness of life. In this perspective, it would be difficult today to defend the theory of limbo. The Church practices to baptize the children not because of fear of the possibility of reduction and even deprivation of eternal beatitude of those who cannot fulfil some formal requirements to receive this sacrament. The practice of the infant baptism expresses the faith of the Church in the power of God’s love and His will to save every human being.God has an infinite number of possibilities to provide salvation to man even outside of the sacrament of baptism. The Church has just only such a tool, and that is why the Church baptizes the children. The faith is the gift. The salvation is the most precious gift of God. The Church therefore desires share this wonderful gift with all the children, that they may have God, and have life, and have it in abundance (cf. Jn 10:10).
Holy water can help lay people in their pursuit of sainthood. It remindsthem about the sacrament of baptism and encourages to be grateful to Godfor such a great gift, to feel joy and pride in being Christian. It helps to prepare for the Eucharist and raises awareness God’s presence. Through holywater God absolves the venial sins when we use it in the spirit of remorse.This water constitutes an element of the blessing which is given by parentsto their children on the basis of priesthood arising from the mystery ofbaptism. It plays an important role in the Christian customs related to burial,indicating the exceptional meaning of human death, the dignity of the humanbody, the mystery of the purgatory and the significance of the prayer forthe dead. Holy water is used in blessings and shows the need to sanctify thewhole human life, the everyday existence, the various dimensions of humanlabour and activity. Sometimes it is kept in the houses of the believers towhich they can resort to in moments of temptation. Many saints talks of theimportance of holy water as protection from the evil spirit. Furthermore, itprovides consolation, reassurance in spiritual struggle and internal renewal.There is also the danger of abuse: mechanical use, giving up the spiritualstruggle with venial sins, neglecting everyday duties, magical thinking.
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