Canada/Ukraine: Whether adherents to the Pentecostal religion are given certificates or some other form of written verification upon baptism and the existence of an international central registry for baptised adherents of the Pentecostal faith
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 3 August 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | ZZZ37607.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Canada/Ukraine: Whether adherents to the Pentecostal religion are given certificates or some other form of written verification upon baptism and the existence of an international central registry for baptised adherents of the Pentecostal faith , 3 August 2001, ZZZ37607.E , available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4bed614.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a representative at the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), Eastern Ontario, whose umbrella organization has an overseas mission in the Ukraine (PAOC n.d.), adherents of the Pentecostal faith are given a certificate when the individual is baptized in water by immersion (30 July 2001). The Pastor at Bethel Pentecostal Church in Ottawa further added that the certificate acts as a memento to mark what is a "public statement of faith" (30 July 2001). The Pastor explained that baptism in water is only performed on adults (ibid). Children are brought before a congregation where their parents dedicate them to the Lord and ask that God give them wisdom in the raising of their child (ibid). In such cases, a dedication certificate is given to each family (ibid).
According to both sources, no certificate is provided when the baptism that takes place is "Baptism of the Holy Ghost" or "Spirit Baptism," in which the Pentecostal adherent is filled with the Holy Spirit (PAOC 30 July 2001; Bethel Pentecostal Church 30 July 2001). This sort of baptism, as evidenced by the individual "speaking in tongues," is a more personal or spiritual experience between the individual and God (ibid; PAOC 30 July 2001).
According to the representative at PAOC, there is no international registry for baptized adherents of the Pentecostal faith (30 July 2001).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Bethel Pentecostal Church. Ottawa, Ontario. 30 July 2001. Telephone interview with the Pastor
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC), Eastern Ontario. Cobourg, Ontario. 30 July 2001. Telephone interview with Secretary, Special Projects
Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). n.d.
