Devil Vows Taken Out Of Christening Services as Church of England Aims to Widen Appeal

THE INDEPENDENT: The devil is no longer in the detail of baptism vows

All mention of the devil has been taken out of Christening services by the Church of England in a bid to appeal to more people.

In the current wording, parents vow to “reject the devil and all rebellion against God”, “renounce the deceit and corruption of evil” and “repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour”.

But the alternative text agreed by the General Synod only asks them to “turn away from sin” and “reject evil”.

In the meeting at the University of York on Sunday, the members were told the change was popular with parents and families during pilots in churches across the country.

The simplified service aims to appeal to people with no religious background as membership of the Church of England continues to decline. » | Lizzie Dearden | Monday, July 14, 2014

Prince George Is Christened in Intimate Ceremony in the Chapel Royal of St. James’s Palace

Prince George Being Christened at Chapel Royal

BBC: The christening of Prince George has started at St James's Palace in London.

The prince, who is third in line to the British throne, is being baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Chapel Royal.

The christening is a private event, with only senior royals, four members of the Middleton family, the seven godparents and their spouses invited.

Prince George, son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was born in London on 22 July.

The ceremony is expected to last about 45 minutes, after which the Prince of Wales will host a tea at Clarence House. » | Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Prince George’s Christening: Live

Prince George will be christened today in an intimate 45-minute ceremony in the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace. Here's what you should know about the occasion

Read the rest in The Telegraph

Princess Royal and Countess of Wessex Not Invited to Christening of Prince George

Countess of Wessex and the Princess Royal, Princess Anne

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The Princess Royal and the Countess of Wessex have been left off the guest list for the christening of Prince George this month after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they wanted an "intimate" ceremony.

The third in line to the throne will be baptised by the Archbishop of Canterbury on October 23, but it now seems that only a handful of the couple's closest family and friends will witness the occasion at the Chapel Royal in St James's Palace.

The Duke and Duchess have already shown a determination to set their own rules, rather than being bound by royal tradition, such as their choice of the Chapel Royal instead of Buckingham Palace, where the Duke and his father were christened.

But the omission of some of the most senior members of the Royal family from the guest list is likely to have come as a surprise to those who will not be there. » | Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter | Thursday, October 10, 2013