www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Communion for children of BC in RC churches

Hello Henry,

Thanks for your input. I'm looking at this from my own backyard.

I agree, the timing of reception of the initiation sacraments should be studied. I see wisdom in both Western and Eastern approaches and I have a healthy scepticism in a "one size fits all" Catholics approach.

With the challenges our youth and their parents face today, maybe initiation sacraments should be reexamined in the Latin Church.

Christ is our peace,

Paul

I want to thank everyone for their comments on Holy Eucharist for BC children. I feel that their is no better way to bring your child to Christ than to let them experience his love for them through Holy Eucharist. Before 6 or 7, children have no idea of sin. Why should they be denied? After the "age of reason" it is the responsiblity of their parents and the church to make sure these children understand the full meaning of Holy Eucharist. Letting them receive from birth and then teaching them to understand the reason for Christ's sacrafice is a growing process for them. The teaching should start at birth with Holy Eucharist and build into the fullness of understanding at 1st confession. It is my hope that East and West will someday come together on this issue. I feel it is an important one. God Bless....Tari

Hello Matthew,


Well, this is something done by a Church where saints of the stature of Ignatius Loyola, Maximilian Kolbe, John Bosco, Theresa of Calcutta, John Paul II The Great, and so many others have found Christ and lived their holy lives.

It cannot be all *that* wrong, if the fruits are this good.

Shalom,
Memo.

Dear Memo,

Yes denying the Eucharist to children until they have reached the "age of reason" is something done by the Roman Catholic Church and I understand your disposition regarding your commitment to your Church. Suffice it to say, it has not always been that way, for as we have seen there used to be a correct practice in place prior to the Roman Catholic Churches departure from Orthodoxy and her correct teachings. (right faith and right worship) Denying the Eucharist to children is hard for me to comprehend for I see it as a violation of conscience and to my dismay taught by the Roman Catholic Church of today. Surely any loving parent is concerned for what is in the best interest of their children at all times. In short, I think the teaching creates a very unnecessary contradiction. You can also call it a Eucharistic fast or whatever you want but that does not change reality of what is happening. As such, reality is important.

As I mentioned before, there is a direct correlation between liturgical consistent practices and theological consistency expressed in the fullness of the truth and established in the Orthodox Church which I�m completely sure God's right hand has planted.

Matthew 19
13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

John 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Matthew 26

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body."
27: Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you.

It seems to be very odd reasoning to me to speak of Eucharistic devotion and deny innocent and very precious indeed Roman Catholic children the Eucharist. Surely, these little ones are always cherished greatly by Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As Saint Clement of Alexandria has written "We learn from the Scriptures demonstrably that the heresies have gone astray, and that only in the true Church is the most accurate knowledge."

I trust what the Orthodox Church teaches for good reasons.

If I have offended anyone and if my words compel any Roman Catholic to bring this matter to the ultimate attention of any Roman Catholic Cardinal then I sincerely hope that I have offended many of you. So be it.

In Christ.

Matthew Panchisin

Hi,

Sure, and the feeling is mutual, that is why they remain faithful to His Church.

Did you just call us heretics?

Is this allowed in this forum?

Shalom,
Memo.

In my study of the Catholic Church, I have found a good Filipino friend who helps me understand the Catholic Church. He said that he was confirmed before he was five years of age, and received communion before then, as well. Memo, isn't the standard at the discretion of the local bishop in the Catholic Church?

If I understand the Catholic position (Latin) correctly (and I probably don't), isn't the grace of a Sacrament able to be received even apart from its normal dispensation? For instance, does not a man receive the Lord's baptism even without being baptized by an ordained minister, and even without water, if he desired it when no minister or water could possibly be present? I am not sure if the situation is applicable to other Sacraments besides Baptism, but I do not see why not.

The only way I see the Latin practice could be OBJECTIVELY wrong is if they withheld the Blessed Body with the INTENTION of doing spiritual harm to the children. You must agree that this is not the case.

What grace did the thief on the cross receive? Matthew, you make it sound like God is restricted to the Sacraments in the dispensation of His grace.

As I understand it, Latins can recieve the Eucharist EVERYDAY!! And even TWICE A DAY!!!! How glorious is THAT!!!? :p I am not able to do that at my Church. I figure if we add up all the days that the Catholic Church (West) "restricts" the children from the Eucharist, and compare it to the number of days that Orthodox do not receive the Eucharist, the Orthodox Church would be even MORE guilty of depriving her members of the Body and Blood of Christ. Are we willing to fess up to our own "log", if log indeed it is?

In the long run, if you, or anyone insists that the Catholic Church is depriving her members of the Body and blood of Christ, then I think she more than makes up for it by the fact that she allows her members to partake of the Holy Feast EVERY DAY --- even TWICE A DAY!!! If only we had that at my Church (....well, maybe soon ... I will also be able to partake TWICE a day, as well )

Blessings,

Marduk

Dear Orthodox Catholic Alex,

I was wondering if you might like to comment on this thread and convey your theological understanding relative to this specific matter.

I would be remiss not to recall at least a few of your prior comments.

Your Quotes: "But it doesn't do justice to the rather ingenious system of thought that is Roman Catholic theology."

"We may disagree with it, but to say it doesn't have an inner logic of its own is simply not the case."

"And I know you aren't anti-Catholic in the least!"

In Christ,

Matthew Panchisin