A child has been denied first Communion due to a rather severe cognitive disability which, according to the pastor, made him unable to understand the Eucharist.
I don’t know the right answer here but it seems to me that the Church should do everything we can to offer the sacraments but the bishops have said:
It is important to note, however, that the criterion for reception of holy communion is the same for persons with developmental and mental disabilities as for all persons, namely, that the person be able to distinguish the Body of Christ from ordinary food, even if this recognition is evidenced through manner, gesture, or reverential silence rather than verbally.
It seems to me to be up to the priest to make the call.
Here’s the television report:
I do get a bit weary of the exit line from the reporter saying that this incident makes the mother question not only her pastor but her faith. And Anointing of the Sick isn’t just for those dying, despite what the woman says. And her calling it “discrimination” is a bit awkward in that the Church must be discriminating as to who receives Communion.
In the end, this is a terrible situation but I think you have to trust the pastor.
HT The Blaze
April 27, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Viewing the Eucharist as the need for Jesus's personal sacrifice for our sins makes sense to me. If the child is incapable of mortal sin, then there really isn't much need of him to take It.
So much the worse for people who recieve the Eucharist to be "One of the herd," and not ask Jesus to help them sin no more. I personally know someone who doesn't take the Eucharist because his amoral sister-in-law always receives, confusing him.
That said, the priest really didn't have time to talk to a case this special? This is no "Why do you pray to the Saints and not Jesus?!" Take the call, padre.
April 29, 2011 at 1:52 am
NOBODY tells me whether I can receive eucharist or not. WE are eucharist! WE are Church! WE celebrate! WE believe!
April 29, 2011 at 2:39 am
Isn't the Eucharist a Sacrament of Grace to help us strengthen our souls against the temptations to sin?
If this child will never reach the age of reason enough to comprehend at that level, the Eucharist, then in essence this child is already a living saint. There is no need for the child to feel as if they are not receiving needed grace, as the effects of Original Sin have been washed clean, and no other sins could be committed per conscious participation in the sin.
We went through this with my brother, also with C.P. I was the only person in my family who did not want him to receive. Sentimentality aside, we need to reverence the Eucharist for what it is, the source and summit of our Faith, and as imperfectly as we grasp that, we at least have to attain a basic level of what that means.
May 15, 2011 at 4:52 am
Deeply humbled I thank God for loving this child, having sent this child to us – as a teacher – how little we truely know about Gods love, how arrogant and little our true understanding is of Gods grate love. May God have mercy on the pastor for he does not know what he did/does. Mother – dont doubt your faith, BELIEVE AND HOPE! Dont let your faith be tumbled by a Pastor who obviously needs to go back to Seminary and reflect on Gods love. God knows your true love and actions! He loves you for it! (CHANGE CHURCH!!!!!!) May he continue to bless you, may he grant you lots of strength and patience, hope and faith!