“The sacrament of baptism is the first sacrament to be received in the Church and it is the gateway to the reception of all other sacraments”. The Local Ordinary of the Diocese of Buea His Lordship Michael Bibi highlighted this during his routine catechetical session, on Monday July 22nd, held at St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Molyko.
Bishop Bibi educates Christians on Baptism
The prelate while continuing his teachings on the sanctifying office of the church, educated faithful on the sacrament of baptism as one of the ways through which a person is made Holy. He told Christians that the sacrament of baptism can be administered only once, to unbaptized persons and that it is a sacrament through which sin is taken away. He further indicated that through baptism, individuals become members of the church and that the sacrament of baptism is administered to both children and adults.
Christians in attendance
Elucidating on the different ways in which baptism is being administered, Bishop Bibi reiterated that while there are three methods used for the administration of baptism; immersion, pouring and sprinkling, baptism is said to be valid only when the proper form and matter is used. That is, the person must be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit and this is done with the use of Holy water. The bishops, priests and deacons are ordinary ministers with the powers to administer the sacrament of baptism but, in a case of danger of death, the prelate noted that anyone can administer the sacrament using water and that the person must have the intention of doing so as it is done by the church.
Christians at St. Charles Lwanga parish Molyko
The sacrament of baptism can also be received by water, desire and blood; when someone is murdered in the process of receiving baptism, because of his faith.
During the catechetical session, Christians were equally enlightened on the qualities of a sponsor commonly known as God parents. All godparents it was said, must be Catholics who have received the sacraments of initiation, who are not less than 16years of age and who hold the moral aptitude to bring up the children in the way of Christianity.
priests join their Bishop during catechetical session
