When God gives the Spirit to believers, how is the Spirit conferred ? Can the Spirit be lost ? Laurence Decousu answers these questions by studying the reconciliation of penitents and those who have separated themselves from the Church. Ever since the Middle Ages, theology has held that the Spirit is given through rites celebrated once for all : Baptism, Confirmation, Order. The Church Fathers did not see these rites as transmitting the Spirit and the effects of the Spirit. For them, reception of the Spirit depended on a divine initiative that was direct, free and sovereign. This study is an important contribution to the renewal of pneumatology, pastoral practice and ecumenical relations.
"Extensa monografÃa que viene a dar respuesta a importantes cuestiones referidas a la teologÃa y ritualidad cristiana con el EspÃritu Santo como centro de atención: ¿Cómo insufla Dios el EspÃritu en sus fieles? ¿Pueden estos perderlo? y en este último caso ¿existe algún modo de recuperarlo?" Israel M. Gallarte and Dámaris Romero, in: FilologÃa Neotestamentaria, Vols. 28-29 (2014-2015).