(RNS) Church of England kicks the devil out of baptism rite

In the traditional service, godparents are asked whether they are ready to renounce the devil and all his works for the sake of the child being baptized.

The new wording, approved Sunday (July 13), only asks whether parents and godparents will “turn away from sin” and “reject evil.”

Speaking after the new wording was overwhelmingly approved, Bishop Robert Paterson denied that the baptism service had been watered down.

“We all know that for many people, the devil has been turned into a cartoonlike character of no particular malevolence,” he said.

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Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Culture-Watch, * International News & Commentary, Anglican Provinces, Baptism, Church of England (CoE), England / UK, Religion & Culture, Sacramental Theology, Theology

2 comments on “(RNS) Church of England kicks the devil out of baptism rite

  1. Pageantmaster Ù† says:

    “The devil’s best trick is to persuade you that he doesn’t exist.”
    Baudelaire

  2. Ad Orientem says:

    Looks like the CofE is batting a thousand. For which team, is of course debatable.