To make up for the shortage of male priests, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Essen has become the first in Germany to allow women for perform baptisms.
The diocese said in a statement on Monday that Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck has appointed 18 lay ministers – 17 of their women – with conferring the sacrament of admission into the Church in a ceremony over the weekend.
Until now, only priests and deacons – functions reserved for the Catholic Church for men – were allowed to perform baptisms.
“Time and againthe Church reacted to external circumstances over the past 2000 years,” said Theresa Kohlmeyer, who heads the department of the diocese of belief, liturgy and culture.
However, the measure is temporary and will initially be last for three years.
To make up for the shortage of male priests, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Essen has become the first in Germany to allow women for perform baptisms.
The diocese said in a statement on Monday that Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck has appointed 18 lay ministers – 17 of their women – with conferring the sacrament of admission into the Church in a ceremony over the weekend.
Until now, only priests and deacons – functions reserved for the Catholic Church for men – were allowed to perform baptisms.
“Time and againthe Church reacted to external circumstances over the past 2000 years,” said Theresa Kohlmeyer, who heads the department of the diocese of belief, liturgy and culture.
However, the measure is temporary and will initially be last for three years.