Refusal of confirmation by pastor: Canons 213 and 843
Candidates for confirmation in our parish are required to participate in a parish-sponsored retreat. Several candidates refused to do so because their parents objected to various components of the retreat. In response to this, the pastor has refused to recommend the children in question for confirma...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
2006
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| In: |
Roman replies and CLSA advisory opinions
Year: 2004, Volume: 3, Pages: 76-78 |
| IxTheo Classification: | SB Catholic Church law |
| Further subjects: | B
Confirmation
B Catholic church Codex iuris canonici 1983. can. 213 B Sakramentenrecht B Catholic church Codex iuris canonici 1983. can. 843 |
| Summary: | Candidates for confirmation in our parish are required to participate in a parish-sponsored retreat. Several candidates refused to do so because their parents objected to various components of the retreat. In response to this, the pastor has refused to recommend the children in question for confirmation with the rest of the confirmation class. Appeals to diocesan officials by the parents have been fruitless, in that they have indicated that the pastor has to determine readiness and recommend a candidate for confirmation. Since the pastor has determined that these candidates are not ready because they did not participate in the required retreat, there can be no intervention from the diocesan level because that would be forcing the pastor to violate his conscience. The parents now want to seek a judicial (canonical) solution to their problem. My assessment is that both parties, parents and pastor, are pretty immovable. However, the children are suffering. The parents were willing to find an alternative retreat, but that request was denied by the pastor. At the same time, it seems to me that the bishop could indeed make the choice to confirm the children without the pastor's consent at any place/parish he designated if he believes they are prepared and properly disposed to receive the sacrament. The parish confirmation is scheduled within a couple of weeks, both the pastor and diocesan official have refused permission for them to be confirmed at another parish, and the families are left in desperation. Could you comment on what might be done to resolve this situation? |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Roman replies and CLSA advisory opinions
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