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de-baptismcertificate

French man demands de-baptism, sues Catholic Church

by Joel McDurmon on Jan 30, 2012

A French man is suing the Roman Catholic church in order to become “de-baptized.” While the church has formally recognized the man’s departure from the faith, it argues that baptism cannot be undone and thus even the names of apostates must remain on the roll of the once-baptized.

Rene LeBouvier, representing the sentiments of many others across Europe, has sued to the have the state force the church to remove his name from their books. The case, therefore, could have far-reaching implications as a precedent of state interference in purely religious beliefs and practice. NPR reports,

“They sent me a copy of my records, and in the margins next to my name, they wrote that I had chosen to leave the church,” he says.

That was in the year 2000. A decade later, LeBouvier wanted to go further. In between were the pedophile scandals and the pope preaching against condoms in AIDS-racked Africa, a position that LeBouvier calls “criminal.” Again, he asked the church to strike him from baptismal records. When the priest told him it wasn’t possible, he took the church to court.

Last October, a judge in Normandy ruled in his favor. The diocese has since appealed, and the case is pending.

“One can’t be de-baptized,” says Rev. Robert Kaslyn, dean of the School of Canon Law at the Catholic University of America.

Kaslyn says baptism changes one permanently before the church and God.

“One could refuse the grace offered by God, the grace offered by the sacrament, refuse to participate,” he says, “but we would believe the individual has still been marked for God through the sacrament, and that individual at any point could return to the church.”

French law states that citizens have the right to leave organizations if they wish. Loup Desmond, who has followed the case for the French Catholic newspaper La Croix, says he thinks it could set a legal precedent and open the way for more demands for de-baptism.

“If the justice confirms that the name Rene LeBouvier has to disappear from the books, if it is confirmed, it can be a kind of jurisprudence in France,” he says.

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10 Comments

  1. “French law states that citizens have the right to leave organizations if they wish.”

    French law could just as well state that it’s illegal to die before you are 50. There are some laws with which compliance is not possible. This is one of those laws. Besides, baptism is a matter of faith; if the dirtbag rejects that faith, then he in essence has ‘debaptized’ himself. The church has no means of undoing a sacrament. Get a clue French morons.

    −Dntmkmecmoverther
    Reply ↓

    • "some laws with which compliance is not possible" Like taking his name off the record is impossible? And why is he a "dirtbag"? Because he isn't willing to believe the totally unbelievable stories that man has invented for means of control? Your comments indicate, although I may be wrong that you are a believer, if so your attitude and comments are very un Christ like. Also "get a clue French morons" is such a broad derogatory statement. You obviously have some issues and I hope reason and common sense will dawn upon you some day.

      −Jim
      Reply ↓

  2. All he's after is trying to take down the church in his country. He can leave it if he doesn't like it and baptize himself in his on pee to make himself feel better for all I care. Go join an atheist church and gripe about life!

    −Billee
    Reply ↓

  3. Can certainly understand why LeBouvier desires such action, as I, too was raised Roman Catholic and have since left THAT church in favor of a non-denominational church. What is most disturbing however is allowing a Federal Court to have jurisdiction over the church…this would be a very bad move for all of us as our rights are being systematically stripped away. In the end only GOD will be my judge.

    −Mike from Colorado
    Reply ↓

    • I disagree. The fact is that the Church takes taxes from us and uses your baptismal record in their statistics for raising funds… which is why they don't want to allow debatisms. they will get less money if they have less names on record. Baptism most often occurs to babies who have NO CHOICE in the matter and therefore it is disgusting to deny that choice again when they become adults. Furthermore as long as you are baptised and confirmed- both things done at young ages where the child has no choice (how very convenient for the church) you are considered a member of said church regardless of your leaving it… and this means that your family members can give you a catholic funeral against your wishes if they so please. And don't mention a will because I've seen first hand families being able to ignore wishes in a will to get bury their non-catholic deceased with a catholic mass. The only way someone can be absolutely sure they will not have a catholic mass is if they are able to OFFICIALLY remove their membership from the church.

      −life
      Reply ↓

      • I think we need to clear up what the Catholic Church believes baptism is before we can determine if it can be undone. The act of baptism, as long as the proper form, matter and intent, are present places upon the soul an indelible mark. By definition an indelible mark is beyond being removed, indelible means “that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased”

        −Roy M. McKenzie

  4. Don't worry — be a Mormon. They will baptise the dead so we can all be part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, whether we want it or not!

    −Guest
    Reply ↓

    • I believe that God will not force the human will. Whether you are baptized in the RC Church (or any other) or even baptized when dead by Mormons, you will have your will or moral agency to remain or depart from any or all things entered into in this life. God loves us unconditionally.

      −Harrisonburg Bob
      Reply ↓

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