AN UPDATE ON THE VALIDITY OF BAPTISM IN NON- CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES Note: Based on the list prepared by the Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith and presented during the CBCP Plenary Assembly on January 27-29, 2018 and in consultation with Msgr. Geronimo Reyes, Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocese of Manila. I. NON-CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND CONGREGATIONS WITH VALID BAPTISM [based on the 2009 Report of the Episcopal Commission on Ecumenical Affairs (ECEA)]. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. All Eastern non-Catholics (Orthodox) Adventists African Methodist Episcopal Amish Anglican Assembly of God Baptists Evangelical United Brethren Church of the Brethren Church of God Congregational Church Disciples of Christ Episcopalians Evangelical Churches 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. Methodists United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) Lutherans Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en las Islas Filipinas (IEMELIF) Liberal Catholic Church Old Catholics Old Roman Catholics Convention of the Philippine Baptist Churches Church of the Nazarene Polish National Church Presbyterian Church Reformer Churches United Church of Christ THE FOLLOWING COMMUNITIES DO NOT HAVE A VALID BAPTISM: 1. Apostolic Church 2. Bohemian Free Thinkers 3. Christian and Missionary Alliances, Christian Scientists, Church of Divine Science, People’s Church of Chicago, Quakers, Salvation Army, Pentecostal Churches 4. Christadelphians 5. Jehovah’s Witnesses 6. Unitarians 7. Iglesia ni Cristo (INC)* 8. Mormons* II. THE AGLIPAYANS Because of the concrete historical circumstances of the Aglipayan Church, it can be claimed that Aglipayans baptized after 1960 are most likely to have been validly baptized. The Aglipayans splintered into two groups: one affiliated with the Unitarians, which do not have a valid baptism. Subsequently, the two groups reunited, and the baptism conferred in this united group is certainly valid. It may be necessary to determine what sect of the Aglipayan Church the baptism was conferred before this period. III. THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO The INC openly denies the Trinity. Therefore, there is certainly doubt to the sufficiency of the Faith and intention of the Minister. Because of this, their baptism is held to be invalid. Regular baptism applies. IV. THE MORMONS We could add to this report of the ECEA the response of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to a Dubium on the validity of baptism conferred by “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”, or “Mormons”. The negative response was made public on June 2001. The main reasons for the invalid baptism of Mormons are: an erroneous understanding of the Trinity (although the Trinitarian formula is used); the denial of original sin; that baptism was not instituted by Jesus Christ. V. THE “BORN-AGAIN” GROUPS The ECEA Report says: It is difficult to determine a priori the validity of the baptism conferred in the many born-again groups that have multiplied so quickly in the Philippines in the past decade or so. Each case will have to be examined individually. Additional information: A common practice among these groups is the giving of baptism only to those with an age of reason because a lot of importance is given to the personal and conscious act of repentance and of the acceptance of Christ as Redeemer. A “dedication” ceremony for infants is usually held called paghahandog. An official of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), Mr. Alex Galvez, told the ECDF Secretary that the Trinitarian formula is used in their baptismal rites: “ I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”. Furthermore, the PCEC reviews the “Statement of Faith” of every group to be accredited to it. Consequently, it is safe to presume that the baptism of a “born-again” group is valid as long as the same group is a member of the PCEC. The most recent Newsletter of PCEC says that the total number of member organizations under it is now 546 (“77 denominations, 240 para-churches and 229 local churches”).
