In Saguenay, the Diocese of Chicoutimi has seen a steady increase in the number of those who refuse to be baptized.
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This is called a request for apostasy.
“What we understand from the person is that they want to erase themselves from the Church, to break away from it,” explained the Chancellor of the Diocese of Chicoutimi, Isabelle Dallaire. We’re in an increasingly secular society, so there are people who are more open about saying they’ve apostatized, and that can make other people think, which wasn’t the case a few years ago.
In 2022, the diocese approved 26 such applications.
There are also 44 inquiries that are currently being processed.
In 2016, only 7 people renounced their baptism.
“Because baptism is an indelible sacrament, it does not efface the baptism of the person,” Ms. Dallaire said.
But it still has consequences.
The person will not be able to have a Christian funeral.
However, you can change your mind.
“We can always make a request for a return to the faith, so let’s go the opposite way,” said the Chancellor.
The religious sacraments are also in free fall.
Baptism remains the most requested, even if it is declining.
Christian funerals are also declining despite the aging population.