Priest resigns after botching thousands of baptisms with single phrase
An Arizona priest has voluntarily resigned from his church after it was ruled that he botched thousands of baptisms over the past 25 years - all by using one incorrect phrase.
Father Andres Arango left the St Gregory Catholic Church in Phoenix this month after revealing he used an “incorrect formula” that made the baptisms invalid.
Rather than invoking the power of God by saying “I baptise you”, as required by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Father Arango said “we baptise you”, referring to the community.
As a result of his phrasing, every baptism he has performed since he was ordained in 1995 until June 2021 has been invalid.
This could also mean that subsequent confirmations and First Communions for those baptised by Arango could also be invalidated.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix said even some marriages could possibly be affected, though they did not expand on how.
Father Arango will now work full-time offering spiritual guidance to Catholics whose baptisms have been deemed invalid so he can baptise them again.
In 2020, the Vatican issued a doctoral note clarifying that baptisms performed with the phrase “We baptise you in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit” were invalid, prompting church leaders to investigate faith leaders including Father Arango.
His invalidated baptisms also came from his time working in churches in Brazil and San Diego.
In a letter announcing his resignation, Father Arango apologised to those affected and asked the community for “prayers, forgiveness, and understanding”.
Father Arango announced he would leave the church after the Vatican ruled that baptisms he performed over the past 25 years have been invalid. Images: St Gregory Catholic Church Bulletin
“It saddens me to learn that I have performed invalid baptisms throughout my ministry as a priest by regularly using an incorrect formula,” Father Arango wrote.
“I deeply regret my error and how this affected numerous people in your parish and elsewhere.
“With the help of the Holy Spirit and in communion with the Diocese of Phoenix I will dedicate my energy and full time ministry to help remedy this and heal those affected.”
The Diocese has said Father Arango remains a priest in good standing and that he has not been disqualified from his vocation or ministry as a result of his mistake.
Diocese of Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted said he didn’t believe Father Arango intentionally harmed or deceived parishioners through his error.
“On behalf of our local Church, I am too sincerely sorry that this error has resulted in disruption to the sacramental lives of a number of the faithful,” Olmsted said in a statement.
“This is why I pledge to take every step necessary to remedy the situation for everyone impacted.”
Image: Padre Andres Arango Phoenix AZ (Facebook)