The Dioceses of Essen and Rottenburg-Stuttgart say priest shortage and concern to promote equality between men and women are behind the move
Carolin Winkler said she was "pleasantly surprised" to learn that it would be a woman who would baptize her 5-month-old daughter, Mara. The celebration took place last Sunday at St. Hedwig's Parish in the Catholic Diocese of Essen, in the Ruhr region of Western Germany. "Prior to this, I had no particular expectations on this issue, but the fact that a lay person, especially a woman, can baptize my daughter has excited my whole family," said the young mother.
Read more at La Croix