No Holy Communion for Child Down Syndrome - Page 2

NewEnglandPriest · #16 Jan 21, '12, 6:36 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizium23

The child in question can't sit still, can't sit through a whole Mass, and has limited grasp of the religious curriculum.

That's many adult as well.

jilly4ski · #17 Jan 21, '12, 8:00 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by triumphguy

Well my child with Down Syndrome does receive the Eucharist, and he does it very nicely: bows to the priest and everything! He was ten when he received his First Holy Communion, and understood that he had to act grown up in Church. He also understands that he is receiving Jesus when he receives Communion.

BTW he's friends with a ton of people at Church. Kids with Downs have a way of breaking barriers, sometimes much to my initial discomfort, but later agreement!

triumphguy, but you said on the other thread that your child started receiving at the age of 10. This child is 7, it is possible that the priest just wants to see this kid grow more. From what is being reported, that they don't attend Mass very often, this child might not understand and show the reverence that your child does. He needs to learn first, and that is what the priest is asking for. This child has not been banned, but been asked to wait.

Irish Eyes 826 · #18 Jan 21, '12, 11:24 am

The issue I see here is that no seven-year-old really understands the Eucharist. I know I certainly didn't. However, because children with Down Syndrome are easily identified as developmentally delayed, he was told he can't receive. Did every child his age get tested to see if they knew their catechism well enough to receive? I've never heard of that happening to any child without disabilities in CCD, everybody gets to receive as long as they come to class. Maybe that's not the way it should be done, but it should never be based solely on a particular condition of a child.

Pax2u · #19 Jan 21, '12, 11:47 am

I taught sacramental prep classes at my parish for many years. If there had been a child who I thought did not understand and believe they were receiving the true Body and Blood of Jesus I would have gone to the pastor and the parents and said I didn't believe that child was ready. Then it would have been up to them to decide what to do.

jilly4ski · #20 Jan 21, '12, 1:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Eyes 826

The issue I see here is that no seven-year-old really understands the Eucharist. I know I certainly didn't. However, because children with Down Syndrome are easily identified as developmentally delayed, he was told he can't receive. Did every child his age get tested to see if they knew their catechism well enough to receive? I've never heard of that happening to any child without disabilities in CCD, everybody gets to receive as long as they come to class. Maybe that's not the way it should be done, but it should never be based solely on a particular condition of a child.

You are right that no 7 year old child knows everything about their faith or even has a strong grasp on the Eucharist. However, when a child can comprehend that the Eucharist is different from regular bread and is determined ready to receive, it also means their obligation to attend Mass starts. From the article it seems that this child cannot sit through mass yet. Meaning it would be pretty harsh to impose an obligation to attend Mass (though his now "age of reason" reception of the Eucharist) if he cannot actually do that.

triumphguy · #21 Jan 21, '12, 1:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilly4ski

triumphguy, but you said on the other thread that your child started receiving at the age of 10. This child is 7, it is possible that the priest just wants to see this kid grow more. From what is being reported, that they don't attend Mass very often, this child might not understand and show the reverence that your child does. He needs to learn first, and that is what the priest is asking for. This child has not been banned, but been asked to wait.

Yep: I agree. Though I was more concerned with how Peter would behave while receiving communion. I needed to know he was mature enough to act accordingly, even if he was nervous or a bit overwhelmed. Ten seemed right.

Mrs Sally · #22 Jan 21, '12, 1:59 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Eyes 826

The issue I see here is that no seven-year-old really understands the Eucharist. I know I certainly didn't. However, because children with Down Syndrome are easily identified as developmentally delayed, he was told he can't receive. Did every child his age get tested to see if they knew their catechism well enough to receive? I've never heard of that happening to any child without disabilities in CCD, everybody gets to receive as long as they come to class. Maybe that's not the way it should be done, but it should never be based solely on a particular condition of a child.

I don't know of any particular test just for readiness for Holy Communion, but the DRE and priests do spend enough time with the sacremental prep students, in addition to the CCD teachers, that they should know if any particular child is not ready. There have been a few over the years here who did not receive right away. And I am sure there are a few at every parish. There are no news stories about it though, because the families understand and do not see it as newsworthy.

At this parish we also have special classes for children who have missed receiving sacraments at the standard time. In other words, you can't just say, this child is 7, he has a right to First Holy Communion. Every child needs preparation no matter what their age.

Darran · #23 Jan 21, '12, 2:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilly4ski

You are right that no 7 year old child knows everything about their faith or even has a strong grasp on the Eucharist. However, when a child can comprehend that the Eucharist is different from regular bread and is determined ready to receive, it also means their obligation to attend Mass starts. From the article it seems that this child cannot sit through mass yet. Meaning it would be pretty harsh to impose an obligation to attend Mass (though his now "age of reason" reception of the Eucharist) if he cannot actually do that.

http://www.godvine.com/The-Inspirati...t-See-731.html

Had to throw this out there. At the age of reason a person is subject to all of the commandments, the parents vow at baptism however is ongoing. The mother hasn't seemed to have kept up to this very well as it would seem neither of them understand it themselves let alone understand the reasons for their son's first communion being delayed (delayed, not terminated as the article would like to say).

This is BBC news guys, you should know theres another side to the story.

EDIT: Did none of the rest of you have to speak to the priest/bishop alone before doing your first communion? If I remember right, thats what we did.

Mrs Sally · #24 Jan 21, '12, 2:33 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darran

EDIT: Did none of the rest of you have to speak to the priest/bishop alone before doing your first communion? If I remember right, thats what we did.

Yep, my kids did. I don't remember if I did. I know my son talked about his favorite Saints during that conversation.

kanzaz · #25 Jan 22, '12, 4:12 pm

If this is the case what about people & other children within the Church that may have fare more server Disabilities would they be refused Holy Communion ???

Also a lot of Down Syndrome children are very smart & intelligent especially if the parent has worked with the child & depending on how server they are not all Down's children & people are the same some can even live on their own may need a little assistance but not all down's act 7 years old it depends on how server they are .

I have cerebral palsy & not all people with CP are the same Neither like I'm Physically disabled but I'm able to Live on my own & Function like A normal Person But Just can't Walk Good & Talk Good However Some CP people are more server then other's .

Darran · #26 Jan 23, '12, 2:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanzaz

If this is the case what about people & other children within the Church that may have fare more server Disabilities would they be refused Holy Communion ???

Also a lot of Down Syndrome children are very smart & intelligent especially if the parent has worked with the child & depending on how server they are not all Down's children & people are the same some can even live on their own may need a little assistance but not all down's act 7 years old it depends on how server they are .

I have cerebral palsy & not all people with CP are the same Neither like I'm Physically disabled but I'm able to Live on my own & Function like A normal Person But Just can't Walk Good & Talk Good However Some CP people are more server then other's .

He wasn't denied, he simply isn't ready yet. Anyone who isn't ready to understand the Eucharist has to be delayed out of respect for God's sacrament. It is the parents, godparents and priest/bishops job to educate him, and if needed, to say that he isn't ready to recieve just yet. Whether or not the mother understands (or if the BBC blew it out of proportion, which isn't uncommon) there is no scandal going on here, just more anti-Catholic propaganda.

apricot yogurt · #27 Jan 23, '12, 5:02 am

According to the story I read, the parents seldom attend Mass. Our Pastor makes regular Mass attendance a vital part of accepting candidates for First Communion.

thomas jd · #28 Jan 23, '12, 5:29 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irish Eyes 826

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Cat...88.html?page=2

Catholics that do not attend church very often , by their own admission, expect to "home school " their child with a understanding of Catholicism!
!

How can they teach what they don't know?

m134e5 · #29 Jan 23, '12, 5:07 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConstantineTG

This is the problem with Western theology stating that "one must recognize the Eucharist as something more than just food" for one to qualify to receive Communion. Look it up, its in Canon Law.

In the East we have no such qualms. We give Communion even to a day old infant, provided of course that day old infant has been baptized and chrismated.

I'm not sure western theologians would agree that this is, as you put it, a problem. It's just a matter of what is emphasized more in the particular rite- scholasticism or mysticism. Both are good things, and both approaches have served the different rites of the Church very well (although wars were fought over these types of things, and I'm not sure battles serve.

couponfit · #30 Jan 27, '12, 11:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elizium23

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16626123

If you get all the facts before believing sensationalistic news stories, you will see that the pastor has not denied him Holy Communion forever, but he hopes that the child will be able to participate in the future. The diocesan authorities have backed the pastor in his decision. It is not unusual for a child of seven years of age to have a developmental delay that prevents them from understanding the meaning of the Eucharist. The Church is following canon law, which says,

The child in question can't sit still, can't sit through a whole Mass, and has limited grasp of the religious curriculum.

Well his mom says she does not attend mass because of him. So it seems he can't attend a mass regularly and that keeps mom from attending. But in many countries the child receives communion, confirmation w baptism, as well as some rites.