The water flowing in the new waterfall at Praça Jardim do Méier now also has a symbolic meaning for those who pass by. The town hall opened the city’s first public baptistery, an open and free space intended for holding baptism ceremonies by immersion. The initiative marks a novelty in the use of public space in the city.
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The equipment was designed by the municipal Department of Conservation and Public Services (Seconserva) and consists of a waterfall, a scenographic resin Bible and a space suitable for baptisms. The new baptistery is integrated into the Jardim do Méier, which now has another function in addition to leisure and daily coexistence.
— Jardim do Méier is a traditional space and now hosts Rio’s first public baptistery for people of the Christian faith. It’s not for a church, for a denomination. It’s for everyone, in a city where religious diversity and respect for all beliefs reign. It is another place of faith, devotion and encounter with God — said Mayor Eduardo Paes during the inauguration last week.
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The ceremony took place in the presence of the Vice Mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, and was marked by a service celebrated by Mgr. Honorilton Gonçalves, of the Universal Church. The religious moment also saw the participation, by videoconference, of Mgr Edir Macedo. After the service, the mayor presented the scenographic Bible installed in the space and unveiled the inauguration plaque.
The baptistery will be open every day, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the opening hours of Jardim do Méier. Maintenance will be the responsibility of the municipal Conservation Service, which has carried out a series of interventions in the space, including the restoration of the lake, the concrete floor and Portuguese stones, the replacement of the grass and the renovation of the bandstand.
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According to the Secretary of Conservation and Public Services, Diego Vaz, the delivery of the equipment also represents the revitalization of a historic place in the square.
— It is a very symbolic place where Mgr Macedo celebrated his first service. The city took an abandoned place and turned it into a public baptistery. Rio is a place of many faiths and different aspects. It is therefore important that the town hall is sensitive to this and provides a place where people can exercise their faith — said Vaz.
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Resident of Méier, Vilma Marinho attended the inauguration and highlighted the importance of the initiative.
—Having a public baptistery is phenomenal, something very great. I believe that this baptistery will be the beginning of a new life for everyone,” he said.
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