The Holy Sacraments

The sacraments of the Church are sacred rites instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church as outward signs of inward grace. They express and strengthen faith, foster worship and sanctify believers, deepening communion within the Church.

  1. Ministers must not deny the sacraments to those who seek them.
  2. Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders imprint an indelible character and cannot be repeated.
  3. Baptism cleanses sin, makes one a child of God, and incorporates them into the Church. It may be performed by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling of water with approved words. The ordinary minister is a bishop, priest, deacon, or deaconess.
  4. Infants should have at least one baptised Christian Godparent.
  5. Baptisms must be recorded, including details of the baptised, minister, parents, and Godparents.
  6. Confirmation strengthens the baptised with the Holy Spirit, binding them more closely to the Church. It is conferred by anointing with chrism and laying on of hands.
  7. The chrism must be consecrated by a bishop. The usual minister of Confirmation is a bishop, though a priest may confirm if authorised. Confirmations must be recorded.
  8. The Eucharist is the central sacrament, in which Christ is truly present. The Eucharistic sacrifice is the peak of worship and Christian life, uniting believers.
  9. Bishops and priests are the ordinary ministers of the Eucharist. Concelebration is permitted when multiple clergy are present.
  10. All baptised and confirmed Christians are invited to receive Holy Communion.
  11. The Eucharist must be offered with bread and wine, with a small amount of water added. Receiving the host in the hand is permitted, following the Anglican practice of intinction.
  12. In the rite of Penance/Reconciliation, those who confess their sins to a bishop or priest, with contrition and intent to amend, receive absolution and reconciliation with the Church. Only bishops and priests may administer this sacrament.
  13. The Anointing of the Sick commends the ill to Christ for healing and salvation. It is administered with anointing and prayer.
  14. The oil used should be blessed by a bishop, but in necessity, a priest may bless it during the rite.
  15. The minister should anoint with his own hand unless circumstances require an instrument.
  16. Bishops, priests, deacons, and deaconesses may administer the Anointing of the Sick.
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