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Baptism
Baptism is a primary tool for evangelism and provides an opportunity for sharing the joy of coming into the Community of Faith. An understanding of Diocesan baptismal directions may be gained by referring to the introduction to the Service of Baptism contained on pages 146-149 of The Book of Alternate Services. Other notes regarding the worship service are on pages 150 and 163/4.
Preparation
It is recommended that clergy set dates for baptism and the preparation of parents, and sponsors if possible, and publicize these dates well in advance, following general teaching regarding baptism and its meaning.
It is recognized that pastoral problems confront clergy when parents indicate no intention of bringing up children in the Christian faith. It has not been a policy of the Anglican Church to administer baptism indiscriminately.
As an aid, it is suggested that a criterion for Christian parents should be their willingness to refresh their awareness of the meaning of baptism, the obligations of belonging to the People of God, and of bringing up their child to take seriously the intent of the Baptismal Covenant, at group/individual sessions organized by the rector and the parish sponsors.
If, however, following this, and taking into consideration the possibility for future growth in understanding and faith of the parents and the child, the clergy strongly feel that there is no real intention of bringing up the child in the Christian faith or of taking the vows of baptism with integrity, it would be better to defer baptism.
Baptism of Newborn Babies in Danger of Dying
A committee of the Canadian House of Bishops dealt with this matter and reported on it to the Bishops in August 1966. It is evident that in many parts of the country, nurses and doctors in hospitals are aware of their responsibility to baptize children whose death might take place before clergy and parents can be reached.
Whether the baptism is administered by parish priest or chaplain, or is a lay baptism administered by hospital staff member, doctor or parent, the following recommendation of the committee which was approved by the House of Bishops should be noted:
"If there is any doubt about life still being in the infant, we recommend a 'conditional baptism'. After a child has been pronounced dead, we do not recommend baptism."
It is normal and customary that a child who has been baptized in an emergency situation and who recovers, subsequently will be received into the fellowship of the Church, without the rite of baptism itself being repeated.
See page 541, The Book of Common Prayer (first rubric).
See also pages 164 and 165, The Book of Alternative Services.
THE NEXT STEPS
Reception of Holy Communion
Ever since 1977 the Diocese of Huron has supported and sponsored new Christian initiation rites. From the outset our Diocese has supported the principle that baptism is the only prerequisite for admission to Holy Communion. (Note: the last rubric on page 561, The Book of Common Prayer can be waived, where necessary by Act 53-1973 General Synod.) A previous recommendation was that children ages 6-7, following preparation appropriate to their age, could receive Holy Communion. Along with that recommendation went the hope that parish worship would, more and more, accommodate children and that necessary changes be made in terms of Christian education for all ages.
Since then the House of Bishops and the National Executive Council of the Anglican Church of Canada have removed any suggested minimum age for children to receive Holy Communion. However, the importance of preparation for the reception of Holy Communion has not been removed. Such preparation should be part of any program prior to baptism and also needs to be offered at other important faith development states, e.g., ages 7 and 8, and in the pre-teen years. It would be good to quote a November, 1989 Pastoral Letter from the
Bishop of Huron:
1. It is affirmed that, as the National Church has authorized, baptism is the sole pre-precondition for admission to Holy Communion. All parish priests are asked to communicate this to their people, and to give careful teaching surrounding this principle.
2. Such admission to Holy Communion must always be prefaced by careful teaching - either of the children and parents and "parish companions", or of the parents and companions if the children are, at the time, too young for catechises. However, the children must always receive such teaching as they are able to accept, and "Life in the Eucharist" is a recommended vehicle for both children and adults.
3. In any congregation where children at present do not communicate, this hospitality must always be extended to families who move into the parish, and whose children have been in the habit of receiving in their former parish.
4. It is better to initiate children into Eucharistic practice after open public teaching and agreement within the parish. While a vote of vestry is no longer required, still it is desirable that the parish at every level should assent to and support this action by its younger members.
5. In view of the declared principle by the Church that all baptized persons, young or old, are welcome at the Lord's table, no group of objects may be allowed to prevent children's Communion in families who earnestly desire it and who conscientiously prepare and support their children.
Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation
Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation are various modes of response to baptism. Whether they involve making promises on one's own behalf, seeking membership within a particular branch of the Church, or reaffirming promises made long ago, each is directly related to the covenant made in baptism. The liturgy of baptism is, consequently, the primary context in which these renewals of baptismal covenant take place.
Page 194, The Book of Alternative Services
In the context of the above statement, present practice and expectations are as follows:
Confirmation
While the Diocese, through its Synod resolution of 1977 has moved into new patterns of Christian initiation, it is recognized that not all congregations, nor all members of congregations, have moved in this direction. In the Diocese generally, and within congregations, we experience two streams of initiation practices flowing side by side.
There are those who wish their children, following baptism and suitable preparation, to receive Holy Communion at an early age and to move on to Confirmation at a time appropriate to that person's development; maybe late teens or early twenties.
As well, there are those who, following baptism and suitable preparation, will want to present themselves for Confirmation at what traditionally has been called "years of discretion" - generally accepted as being around 12-14 years of age.
In each case, the strong hope is that continuing opportunities for nurture, suitable to every age, will be offered by the congregation.
So that this responsibility does not fall entirely on the rector, the formation of an education committee is urged.
Reception
Those wishing to be received into the Anglican Church may do so in an act of reception, which includes the Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Vows. The act of reception may be taken by the Bishop or the parish clergy.
Reaffirmation
The reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant is encouraged at significant times of growth in people's faith journeys.
September 1995
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