Ask a Question - or - Return to the Faith and Spirituality Forum Index

Question Title Posted By Question Date
change of communion age - follow up mary jean Monday, March 28, 2011

Question:

Hi brother,
thanks for your help with this topic - the Archbishop has ruled that the children receive first communion and confirmation on the same day aged 8 - 9; by a special dispensation given to the parish priest.

Those who have found themselves voted in to make the changes are panicking that it is too much for the children to understand.

He is playing with intellectual pursuits I fear rather than be realisitic about the children's level of understanding.

I am going to speak to the headmistress of the school about the canon law cconcerning confession before communion. I wrote the Archbishops office who re-iterated what you had said.

I was recently teaching the rosary at the school, but have been prevented from returning to do the "Sorrowful Mysteries" during lent - as the teacher involved said "One should not talk to the children about death".

I could pull my hair out! Please say a prayer for us! I realise that this is not a question so should not appear on the boards, but I felt I had to let you know.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r)

Dear Mary Jean:

Thanks for the update. Keep in mind, what the Archbishop has done is to "allow" for confirmation on the same day as first communion.  I am not a canon lawyer, but as I understand it, the Archbishop cannot "command" this, that is, to force you to present your children for Confirmation at this young age. It is the right and duty of the parents to decide when their child is ready to receive the Sacrament (within the canonical and episcopal provisions minimum age determinations). All this means, in my opinion, is that you have the "option" for your children to be Confirmed at the age of First Communion.

As for the teacher's remark about the Sorrowful Mysteries, well, let me say, there are many idiots out there who should not be teaching our children.

You have our prayers.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary



Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum