Sacraments
Since a growing number of refugees express the will to be baptised, the diocese of Speyer published a handbook with information for priests and catechesis operators. The 36-page document is a guide, as priests will have to answer very difference questions, as the diocese said: “Many refugees are looking for a new house – in terms of faith, too”, says Domkapitular Franz Vogelgesang, in charge of the social pastoral in Speyer. For some of them, the wish to be baptised could not be accomplished in their country, because it was impossible to live as Christians owing to persecutions and war: the main reasons why they leave their houses, he said to katolisch.de Vogelgesang. However, apart from joy, in local communities, someone is afraid “to do something wrong, suspecting refugees want to take advantage of the situation, as they are Muslims, most of all”. Apart from language and cultural obstacles, the handbook includes law issues relating to conversion from the Islamic law. One of the most examined points is the need to separate request of baptism and baptism from the increase in likelihood to obtain asylum. The publication may be requested through seelsorge@bistum-speyer.de.
