From the Archdiocese of Detroit, a new video featuring the priest at the center of a sacramental storm:
Fr. Matthew Hood’s world was turned upside down Aug. 6, when the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a doctrinal note ruling that baptisms using an altered formula —specifically, those using the phrase, “We baptize you …” instead of the Church’s ancient prayer, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” —are invalid.
Thirty years ago, that was the formula a deacon used to baptize Fr. Hood —then an infant —at St. Anastasia Parish in Troy. With surreal two weeks behind him, the St. Lawrence associate pastor wants to help others affected by ‘strange and painful’ sacramental fallout.
“Even though the sacraments were invalid, we take comfort knowing God was still able to work in those moments,” Fr. Hood said. “God doesn’t repent of our desire for Him and this call that He’s given to us to follow Him and be faithful to Him.”
Watch the video below.
