By Fr Teame Ghebrehohanes, Eritrea Catholic Secretariat Social Communications
The Arch-eparchy of Asmara recently conducted a workshop on the meaning and celebration of what are referred to as Sacraments of Christian Initiation namely Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. All the parish priests of the eparchy of Asmara participated.
Archbishop Menghesteab Tesfamariam opened the meeting with prayer and presented a brief historical background of the three Sacraments during which he stressed the origin, background and how to celebrate them. He gave detailed information about the past, present and future style of celebration and the meaning of Sacraments of Christian Initiation.
Archbishop Tesfamariam explained that originally the Church in the Latin Rite tied the three Sacraments together but later for pastoral and other reasons, they came to be celebrated separately. However, in the majority of Eastern Catholic churches, all the three Sacraments are administered at the same time.
After listening to the presentation, they shared their views and the workshop concluded with a common understanding to provide these three Sacraments of Christian Initiation at the same time.
The participants also discussed on the the functional and pastoral challenges that may occur in providing the three Sacraments together and how to handle them.
Among other topics discussed during this meeting is the meaning of the rubrics in the Ge-ez Rite celebration of the Eucharist and the the directives and ordinance that have been given from the Holy See in 1996 to assess what has been done about it during the past 25 years.