1. As regards Eastern Churches

Convergences: at a doctrinal level: unity in faith implies unity in the sacraments. The theological meaning of baptism is the participation to the paschal mystery of Jesus, for the redemption of sins, reception of the Spirit, incorporation with the Church and new life. It is the very concept that Christian initiation is a unity and a totality whose point of arrival is baptism which continues in confirmation as the reception of the Spirit and culminates in the Eucharist. This is reflected at a pastoral level, since in the Western tradition there is great unity as concerns the liturgy and within the subsequent maturity deriving from a mystagogical approach to the catechises

Differences: at a doctrinal level: compared to the Western world, the East focuses more on the gift of the Spirit and on the unity of the rites. Whereas the Western tradition highlights especially the ecclesial communion officiated by the bishop, and especially in confirmation which, according to the Eastern tradition, can be officiated also by a presbyter. At a pastoral level: in the Eastern tradition preparation for baptism and cathecumenate is less intense and pastoral reasons for changing the order of the sacraments- as, for example, anticipating the Eucharist to confirmation- are not accepted. At a liturgical level: the Eastern tradition adopts immersion, while the West’s prefers infusion.

2. As regards Churches of the Reformation

Convergences: at a doctrinal level: through baptism, established by Christ as participation to the paschal mystery, for conversion and redemption of sins, we receive the gift of God by means of his Spirit and we are incorporated to the body of Christ. Likewise, baptism-initiation implies the free gift of God and a personal act of faith: the same faith of the community, and, except for Baptists, the act of faith can precede or follow baptism. An agreement has been reached even on the delicate theme of justification by which baptism is a new life called upon to permanently grow and develop. At a pastoral level: baptism of both adults and children is accepted. Likewise, it is possible to defer the sacraments of initiation or to change their order. At a liturgical level: there is convergence on the centrality of the celebration.

Differences: at a doctrinal level: the denial of the sacramentality of confirmation. Therefore Eastern Churches differ in their views on the moment when the Spirit is conferred: whether through baptism, through the imposition, or through the unity of the three sacraments. There are also divergences on the relationship between faith and baptism, on whether faith is received through baptism or if we are to assume that it is present in the community, which commits itself to educating neophytes to faith. At a pastoral level: the Catholic Church values especially the baptism of children and the space devoted to the Word or to the rites preceding the various sacramental moments. At a liturgical level: the Protestant rituals are more austere, this does not represent an obstacle to unity.

Finally, the most important agreement concerns the fact that baptism is a sacrament that is valid in the considered confessions and therefore cannot be reiterated.

Note

As regards the ecumenical dimension of baptism two texts are of particular importance. With the Orthodox, the document "Fede, sacramenti e unità della Chiesa" (Faith, sacraments and unity of the Church) Bari, Italy, 16/06/87; with the Churches of the Reformation the document "Battesimo, eucaristia, ministero" (Baptism, Eucharist, ministry) Lima, Perù, 16/02/82.