This is the circumstance under which my children where confirmed under the age normally set in our diocese. It was the decision of the Pastor of our church. They received special preparation from me under the guidance of our DRE.Another circumstance under which children under the age set by the bishop for baptized youth might be confirmed at a younger age is when they have been baptized into another Christian denomination, and are received into full communion with the Catholic Church, either at Easter or another time designated by the pastor, either alone, with a group of peers, or as part of a whole family who is being received into the church.
No, sorry, that is not relevant in this case. This issue was dealt with a long time ago by the Holy See, in what was actually a very similar case: homeschooling parents who wanted their children confirmed, even though their US bishop kept mandating that everyone had to stick to his preferred policy. The parents – showing admirable ingenuity and fortitude – did not accept that the bishop knew their child better than they did.Because we must all be obedient to the Bishop
If the Bishop has set a different age for Confirmation than the age at which you would like your children confirmed it is within his authority to do so. It’s a good lesson to teach your kids-- obediece to the authority of the church.
In regard to Your Excellency’s second point, while it is clear that the Diocesan Policy is within the right inherent in the law in light of the complementary legislation for the Conference of Bishops to which you belong for can. 891, it is also clear that any such complementary legislation must always be interpreted in accord with the general norm of law. As has been stated before, the Code of Canon Law legislates that Sacred Ministers may not deny the Sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed** and are not prohibited by law from receiving them (cf. can. 843 §1). Since it has been demonstrated that the girl possesses these requisite qualities, any other considerations,** even those contained in the Diocesan Policy, need to be understood in subordination to the general norms governing the reception of the Sacraments.**
The Congregation considers it useful to point out that it is the role of the parents as the primary educators of their children and then of the Sacred Pastors to see that candidates for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation are properly instructed to receive the Sacrament and come to it at the opportune time (cf. can. 890). Consequently, when a member of the faithful wishes to receive this Sacrament, even though not satisfying one or more elements of the local legislation (e.g., being younger than the designated age for administration of the Sacrament), those elements must give way to the fundamental right of the faithful to receive the Sacraments. Indeed, the longer the conferral of the Sacrament is delayed after the age of reason, the greater will be the number of candidates who are prepared for its reception but are deprived of its grace for a considerable period of time.
Full documentation hereIn conclusion, this Congregation for Divine worship must insist, given the concrete circumstances of the case under consideration, that the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation be extended to the girl as soon as is conveniently possible.
I’m sad that your experience of your local church was so poor. I’m sure we can all read the letter a different bishop was sent by the Congregation, and conclude that your obedience to the bishop was not matched by the bishop’s obedience to the Code of Canon Law, and to the intentions of the Holy See.We asked, as per our priest, the Bishop if our children could be confirmed early OVER a year ago and we now have our response.
NO.
To sum it up, it is the Bishops feeling as well as our priest that the kids need to be part of a community, a CLASS, they get soo much more that way with what the sacrament really means (his words/feelings not mine).
We are moving to another diocese. We are all hurt and confused and ready to move to some place else and would like your prayers please. Thanks to all who helped us, with questions and stuff.