Holy Communion without Confession

[MrsNoahMoerbeek]

I’ll ask the question, then give the circumstances:

Does the Church allow a baptized Catholic to regularly receive Holy Communion without having made their first Confession?

Situation:
My brother is 21 years old with autism. He’s been receiving Holy Communion for years now, but has not made a Confession. While he doesn’t understand the concept of “sin” he does know when he does things wrong/bad, and he’ll often apologize on his own when he messes up. My mother and his caregiver think that because he’s autistic and doesn’t understand the sacrament, he doesn’t need Confession (yet they insist on Holy Communion).

I had been told that, outside the danger of death, it is absolutely not permitted. The priest that did his first Communion agrees with my mom and the caregiver that it isn’t necessary (FYI: he’s a bit on the liberal side) however, he is not opposed to it either (at least he wasn’t when my mom brought it up with him a few years ago).

So again, does the Church allow a baptized Catholic to regularly receive Holy Communion without having made their first Confession? If so, would you please provide the document for this allowance? Thank you and God Bless.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Speak to a priest. I know of cases where priests have denied communion to people with developmental disorders, and I know of cases where priests have administered communion to people with developmental disorders. This is rather touchy, and I think he would be the best person to leave this up to.

Does your brother understand what communion is?

 

[Joan_M]

I cannot answer you with regard to autism, but my cousin who was mentally incapacitated received Communion but did not ever have to receive Confession. This was because, although he could not understand Communion in the way a adult might, he knew it was something special and that he was receiving God. However, he was considered as not capable of sinning, so did not need to go to confession.

It this could be the case with your brother, then it is possible for him to continue to receive Communion. A small child, before reaching the age of reason, can know when they do wrong, without fulling understanding that what they did was a sin. This seems to be what you are suggesting with regard to your brother.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

I’m wondering how he ever came to receive the Eucharist without at least having gone to confession the first time…Perhaps he received a waiver of some sort, not to go through the usual classes? I would think that unless he is profoundly autistic, he could be assisted to make a confession, even with help?

As far as understanding the concept of sin, that’s a tough one. I can see how your brother might not understand the whole process of repentance, confession, absolution and penance. Sin as a concept is a rather high-order intellectual idea. Unless he repents, how can he make a good confession?

I would speak to a priest about it. I wouldn’t worry too much about your brother receiving communion in a state of sin if he doesn’t really understand sin. Saying he’s sorry when he does something he knows is wrong may be more of a desire not to cause anger or not to be punished. That is not the same as understanding sin.

 

[runningdude]

I’ll ask the question, then give the circumstances:

Does the Church allow a baptized Catholic to regularly receive Holy Communion without having made their first Confession?

Situation:
My brother is 21 years old with autism. He’s been receiving Holy Communion for years now, but has not made a Confession. While he doesn’t understand the concept of “sin” he does know when he does things wrong/bad, and he’ll often apologize on his own when he messes up. My mother and his caregiver think that because he’s autistic and doesn’t understand the sacrament, he doesn’t need Confession (yet they insist on Holy Communion).

I’m sorry to be a little blunt here, but I don’t understand your surprise regarding your mother’s insistence that your brother receive communion. The Eucharist provides its graces regardless of one’s personal understanding. By virtue of baptism, your brother has a right to receive the Eucharist.

I had been told that, outside the danger of death, it is absolutely not permitted. The priest that did his first Communion agrees with my mom and the caregiver that it isn’t necessary (FYI: he’s a bit on the liberal side) however, he is not opposed to it either (at least he wasn’t when my mom brought it up with him a few years ago).

Confession is only required when someone reaches the age of reason. For a developmentally average, healthy child, this is set to age 7, approximately first or second grade.

With a severe disorder such a Autism, confession may never be required. One cannot be in an state of mortal sin without clear and conscience understanding of sin and its consequences. Autism can potentially diminish one’s ability to understand sin, and thus your brother maybe mentally incapable of committing a mortal sin.

His autism is quite a cross to bear, but his diminished capacity may also be a tremendous blessing - incapable of mortal sin, your brother may never fall from God’s good graces following his baptism! Receiving Christ’s Body and Blood through the Eucharist can only strengthen his soul.

So again, does the Church allow a baptized Catholic to regularly receive Holy Communion without having made their first Confession? If so, would you please provide the document for this allowance? Thank you and God Bless.

The question seems mute, as a priest has already addressed the situation. Your only stated reason to question his opinion is that you were “told” differently. You could find a contrary opinion, and press the issue, but what would this accomplish?

The Eucharist already cleanses your brother of venial sin (the only kind he may be capable of committing), so trust in Christ’s love!

 

[puzzleannie]

the judgement should be made by a priest who knows this person, and evidently it has already been made by the priest who knows this person, his condition, his disorder and his particular spiritual and mental condition. Leave it up to the priest. It is his judgement properly, no one else’s.