Vatican rules out baptisms with new formula

The Vatican said yesterday that baptisms had to be performed with the traditional formula "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" to be valid, rejecting new formulas that use inclusive non-male language.

A statement by the Vatican's doctrinal department rejected the new formulas, used by some Protestants and rarely by Catholics, which have come into use in an attempt to avoid masculine-exclusive language to refer to the Trinity.

The rejected formulas are:

"I baptise you in the name of the Creator, and of the Redeemer and of the Sanctifier" or "I baptise you in the name of the Creator, and of the Liberator, and of the Sustainer."

The Vatican said that those baptised with the non-exclusive language would have to undergo a traditional baptism. Baptism is formal acceptance into Christianity.