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This analysis explores the theological implications of Pope Benedict XVI's revision of the baptismal text.

May 7, 2026

The Church of God Receives You with Great Joy: The Liturgical Expression of the Ontological Priority of the Universal Church in the Thought of Pope Benedict XVI

Puntos clave

This analysis explores the theological implications of Pope Benedict XVI's revision of the baptismal text.
Examines the revision of the Order of Baptism of Children.
Analyzes the theological context of Ratzinger–Kasper discussions.
Interprets the text's implications for ecclesiology and the universal Church.
The revision reflects Benedict's views on the ontological priority of the universal Church.
It clarifies the understanding of 'Christian community' in baptism.
The analysis connects liturgical changes to broader theological debates.

Resumen

ABSTRACT: As one of his final papal acts, Benedict XVI mandated a small but theologically charged revision to the Order of Baptism of Children : "The Christian community welcomes you…" became "The Church of God receives you. …" While the change also served to clarify ambiguities inherent in the phrase "Christian community," this essay argues that it is best understood in light of the Ratzinger–Kasper exchanges of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Against that backdrop, the revised baptismal text expresses Benedict's conviction about the ontological and temporal priority of the universal Church in relation to particular churches. The change directly reflects his ecclesiological insights in that exchange and can be read as a final installment in the Cardinals' debate.

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