An Ecumenical Baptismal Liturgy

Some church historians have already labeled the twentieth century as the ecumenical century, noting the wide variety of institutional and attitudinal openness toward ecumenical expression. Similarly, some liturgical scholars have described the twentieth century as a great period of liturgical convergence, noting the significant cross-fertilization of liturgical practices across denominational lines. In line with such descriptions, liturgists have attempted to write sacramental liturgies for ecumenical use. The following is one such liturgy, written by Fr. Max Thurian to illustrate the famous Lima document on baptism, Eucharist, and ministry. The baptismal liturgy takes place between the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist. THE WELCOME [Names of the parents or of the adult seeking baptism] as a Christian community we welcome you with great joy to celebrate the baptism which you request for [Name, the child's name], a baptism of water and the Spirit, in which the covenant with God…