From Mr Christopher Haffner
Sir, — Perjury is indeed a serious matter. But the Revd Ian Robins (Comment, 29 February) claims to be judge and jury not of actuality, but of future intentions. These will remain unproven until a dozen years or more have elapsed, and perjury requires evidential proof. Perfect foreknowledge is surely possible only for our omniscient divine judge, and even he has a reputation for mercy.
The article abounds in judgementalism on the basis of the most superficial evidence. “Body language” and “tone of response” are sufficient to condemn godparents for “following the script”. They are “colluding in a ceremony that encourages dishonesty and superstition”. The parents and godparents are felt to be embarrassed. The question surely is whether satisfying an officious incumbent on such shallow evidence is worth the loss of the good will of a wide group of relatives and friends, often carrying through several generations.
I concur wholeheartedly in the need for some standard guidance to be set for the “instruction” required in canon B22.3, although in my experience of several parishes this has never been less than an evening session, if possible with both parents, and with an invitation to godparents if they are local. Distant godparents are asked to read, sign, and return as acceptance of the role a statement about the meaning of baptism.
Such guidance would also eliminate the overkill practised in a church that I know, where, unless both parents had attended six sessions each an hour long, no baptism would take place.
The difficulties of baptism during the main act of worship are often all too evident. Canon B21 states only that it is “desirable”, however, and if it causes the chaos described by Ian Robins it is evidently undesirable.
There can be no such thing as a legal “baptismal policy” in a parish of the Church of England other than that set out in canon B22.4, which requires a minister to baptise any child brought by its parents (with due notice and offering qualified godparents), delaying the event only for “preparing or instructing” to take place. There is no sincerity exam to pass, and God forbid that such judgementalism should be institutionalised.
CHRISTOPHER HAFFNER
104 Palace Road
East Molesey
Surrey KT8 9DU |
back to Letters
previous story
|
next story 
back to top
