Oct 31, 2005

'Making the Church safe' for converts and other living things

ASSOCIATED PRESS reports ...

(WACO, TEXAS) - A pastor performing a baptism was electrocuted inside his church Sunday morning after grabbing a microphone while partially submerged, a church employee said.

The Rev. Kyle Lake, 33, was standing in water up to his shoulder in a baptismal at University Baptist Church when he was electrocuted ...

The woman Lake was baptizing was not injured, Dudley said.

"He was grabbing the microphone so everyone could hear," Dudley said. "It's the only way you can be loud enough."
This is a sad story and not one to be made light of, but ...

Baptists could take a few lessons from L.A. Catholic priests when it comes to safely performing baptisms.

First, if you really must use a microphone, go wireless like Jesuit Father Michael Mandala pictured below.


Or do what Paulist Father Hensely does: forget the microphone altogether.



This way BOTH HANDS are free to really celebrate baptism. But watch it, Father. Possible "boundary violation" there.

Of course, as Cardinal Mahony and Monsignor Kostelnik demonstrate in this photo, FOUR HANDS are even better than TWO.



Which reminds me, how many clerics does it take to change a diaper?

5 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The top photo lacks any quality of mystery or grace or respect for the sacrament. I would have been furious and embarrassed if I was that woman.

8:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two questions:
Is that a naked baby the cardinal is baptizing? You've got to be kidding me!

Was the water poured on his head while the words were pronounced, or was his little behind just dipped into the water?
I would hazard a guess that in the latter case, the baptism might be invalid.

8:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Baptism used to be a solemn, sacred event. Now it's just another "Showtime at the Cathedral" moment.

God help us.

11:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"This is a sad story and not one to be made light of but..." Those were my thoughts exactly. Glad I wasn't the only one!

12:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Scarlette - I was talking with some friends about how it is a sin to hit a priest... but what if their behaviour is begging for it? My prayer intentions this year were going to focus on fostering new vocations - maybe I need to concentrate on praying for those already in the priesthood so that the Holy Spirit can facilitate their inner conversion to orthodoxy.

9:08 PM  

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