Baptism Ruling Is No Reflection on Mormon Morals

Zenit.org/July 27, 2001

Vatican City -- The Vatican's recent clarification that Mormon baptism is not Christian does not imply a judgment on the moral life of members of the Utah-based sect, L'Osservatore Romano reported.

An article in the semiofficial Vatican newspaper referred to the recent document, published by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which explains that Catholic baptism is essentially different from Mormon baptism.

The Mormons believe that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three gods who form one divinity -- not three Persons in one God, as Christians believe.

"The congregation's decision is an answer to a particular question, which refers to the Mormons' doctrine of baptism and, obviously, does not mean a judgment on the people who adhere to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," the article clarified.