Bishop Wiesemann blesses 21 baptismal applicants in the Speyer Cathedral!

Bishop Wiesemann blesses 21 baptismal applicants in the Speyer Cathedral!

The first Sunday of fasting in 2025 was an important day in the diocese of Speyer. Bishop Dr. Karl -Heinz Wiesemann conjured up a festive framework for 21 baptismal competitors with a solemn baptism in the crypt of the Speyer Cathedral. The crypt, the oldest part of the cathedral, houses an artistically decorated baptismal fountain, which served as a central place for this important ceremony. In his sermon, Bishop Wiesemann emphasized the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Don't be afraid! I'm with you. I'm calling." This message encouraged those present to trust God's call and courageously in difficult times.

Wiesemann expressed his thanks to the parishes, the catechumenate companions and the sponsors, all of whom played an important role in the preparatory process of the baptismal applicants. Representatives of the parishes presented the applicants who themselves reported on their motives why they would like to be baptized. Tanja Rieger, the contact person for adult baptisms in the diocese of Speyer, emphasized the immense importance of this step for the applicants. After the bishop's blessing, the baptismal applicants received the official approval for baptism. Finally, Wiesemann commissioned the responsible local pastors to include the applicants through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist in the community of the church.

baptism as a central ritual

Baptism is one of the oldest rituals within Christianity and finds its origin in the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Jesus gave his disciples to baptize what is recorded in Matthew 28, 19-20. Baptism has connected Christians across various denominations over the centuries. It is considered a sacrament that makes God visible and is an experience that not only washes sins, but also enables a new birth, as the apostle Paul and the Evangelist Johannes taught. Baptism has different interpretations, including admission to the community of believers as well as the childhood child and the proportion of death and resurrection of Christ.

The theological considerations for baptism are far -reaching and contain different perspectives. Emil Brunner described baptism as the "Word of God for the Eye". It requires three basic elements: water, the word of God and faith. Water symbolizes the cleaning power of baptism, and the baptized, symbolically speaking, should feel like new. The question of the baptism of infants remains present, since parents and godparents represent their christening for the children. While baptism is considered a blessing, fear should not be the motivation for this step; Rather, the yes has been in God since the beginning of the creature.

A look at Benedict XVI.

The commemoration day of baptism fell into a week, which also fell from the memory of Pope EM. Benedict XVI. was shaped. Bishop Karl-Heinz Wiesemann had already celebrated a pontifical request for the late Pope in the Cathedral of Speyer. He praised Benedict XVI. Not only as a great theologian, but also as spiritual people. In his sermon, Wiesemann emphasized that Jesus Christ was always the focus of Joseph Ratzinger's life and work. The last words of the late Pope, "Jesus, I love you", underlined the central role of faith in his life.

Wiesemann recalled personal encounters with Benedict XVI. And thanked him for the appointment as Bishop of Speyer 15 years ago. Ratzinger's important European speech from 1990, in which he warned of a society without God, was particularly the focus. This speech illustrated the necessity of the saint for a harmonious coexistence. The musical design of the requiem was accompanied by the choirs of Speyer Cathedral and an organ game. The bells rang on the diocese for a quarter of an hour, a gesture of memory of the burial of Benedict XVI. in Rome.