I squealed on my priest: Now What?

[4_marks]

Perhaps this was done to adapt better to the way children learn. The DRE is an educator after all. I don’t believe it was practiced due to malicious intent, that is, to undermine Church sacramental doctrine.

Consider this:

The key word is recommend… because Canon 914 says that in the first place, it is the parents who see whether their child is ready for the sacrament. Therefore, if you think your child is ready for the sacrament of Penance before First Communion, then I would suggest you go see your parish priest and ask that your child receive the Sacrament. I have seen this happen before where a parent really wanted their child to receive the sacrament of Penance and were willing to do the program on their own with a bit of guidance and their child received the sacrament prior to their First Communion.

Again, perhaps a more loving approach could be taken than to report a priest to a Bishop over something of this nature.

 

[fix]

“Catholic pastors care to serve the education of informed consciences and not to dictate the decisions of conscience which each person must make.” -Father James E. Hanson, C.S.C.

Can someone explain this to me?

 

[4_marks]

fix:

If over the age of reason, why can they not be guilty of a mortal sin if the requirements for a mortal sin were met?

At Fatima the BVM told the children one of their friends, who was about 9 years old, who had died would be in purgatory until the end of time. Now, the child did not commit a mortal sin, but what could a 9 year old have done to merit such a long time in purgatory? Makes one think.

What exactly is this “age of reason” that you speak of. Is it like that philosophical construct known as “Natural Law”? or perhaps it is similar to the “Limbo of the Fathers” where aborted and unbaptized babies are said to go upon death?

Also, how are you certain that Fatima was real? It could as easily have been a mass hallucination or delusion of some sort, or an expression of psychotic religious zeal.

What is interesting is that while we are both Catholics, we obviously have very different take on what it means to live and practice the Catholic faith.

 

[fix]

4 marks:

What is interesting is that while we are both Catholics, we obviously have very different take on what it means to live and practice the Catholic faith.

Yes, your assertion is true. I accept all that Mother Church teaches.

 

[midwest_mom]

A lot a DRE’s around my area are really not qualified to be DRE’s. It’s a volunteer position in some of the smaller parishes. Most are mothers who are “good catholics” who have the time to do it. I know they are doing the best they can, but are not truely qualified for the position.

If a child can understand the true presence of Christ for first communion, then they can understand sin. We can and should be the teachers of our children, but, if their are children you believe are being led astray, you have a responsibility to try and correct that. One of our most important responsibilities in life is to teach the children. ALL the children and not just take care of our own.

It takes a brave person to defend the faith.

 

[netmilsmom]

john ennis:

Yes, I have certainly prepared my children, and the two involved DID go to Confession first.

Read my first couple posts: The Bishop hasn’t answered yet; I’m not assuming anything regarding that.

Am I wrong, though to be concerned for the Parish, and our whole Body? What does Redemptionis Sacramentum say. Should I be silent, as long as MY OWN kids get through this okay?

Oh, thanks NETMISLMOM, I hope some see it that way.

You did the right thing, my friend.
I love how we have posters here who scream community until the community is doing the wrong thing and then we are just suppose to watch out for ourselves. Don’t rock the boat, don’t make waves, save yourself. We as Catholics have been doing that for too long and have gotten to this point.

 

[Brendan]

4 marks:

Therefore, if you think your child is ready for the sacrament of Penance before First Communion,

But Church Law requires that the Sacrament of Reconcilliation be doen prior to First Communion.

If a child is not ready for Confession, they are, by definition, not ready for First Communion.

What exactly is this “age of reason” that you speak of. Is it like that philosophical construct known as “Natural Law”? or perhaps it is similar to the “Limbo of the Fathers” where aborted and unbaptized babies are said to go upon death?

First of all, the Age of Reason is a term used to discribe the point at which an individual is able to distinguish right from wrong, to understand what sin is and that is is wrong. This will vary from person to person, but is generally around seven years of age. In the Western Church, Communion can only be given to someone who has achieved the age of reason. That is also the same age at which one can sin, which is exactly why a First Communicant should go to Confession first.

Secondly, Natural Law is a doctrine of the Church, not a philosophical construct. It is the Law that God makes know to all humans so that they might live according to His Will. This is refered to in the Bible “His Will is written on the hearts of all men” (read Pacem in Terris)

Thirdly, Limbo of the Fathers is a Catholic doctrine. It was where the Fathers of the Old Testament resided until the Ressurection freed them to go to heaven. This was referred to as ‘The busom of Abraham’ in the Gospels. Catholics are required to believe that the Limbo of the Fathers once existed, but exists no longer.

That differes from the theological theory of Limbus Infantum, which is what you seem to be refering to. 2 different Limbos, one we hold as doctrine, the other Catholics are free to believe or disregard.

 

[fix]

4 marks:

Also, how are you certain that Fatima was real? It could as easily have been a mass hallucination or delusion of some sort, or an expression of psychotic religious zeal.

It is a private revelation, but many holy men and women believe it, including Christ’s vicar on earth. It does not contradict the faith and many of the things told to the children came to pass. How are you so certain it is false?

 

[space_ghost]

You might want to consider “Anonymous Confession” in the future… The Dark Black Box!!!:bigyikes:

 

[katherine2]

netmil(name removed by moderator):

John was paying for Catechism. The correct Catechism. This church was not giving the product he was paying for. Why should he have to teach his own child when the church is suppose to be doing it?

If John went to McDonalds and .

For me, I don’t see the mysteries of the faith and buying lunch at McDonalds as very much related.

 

[thann]

John, you did the right thing. I was in the same situation (although I had no children preparing for either First Communion or First Confession). My concern was that the children of my parish were not being properly catechized.

I taught CCD for years at my parish, and the DRE is a personal friend of mine. When she came, she brought with her a lot of the “warm fuzzy” stuff and a lot of the good catechesis went out the window. When she decided to delay First Confession, I decided to battle her over the issue.

I met with her a few times, meetings during which she insisted that the Archdiocese had approved it, and that the pastor can do anything he wants anyway. (neither is true, of course). I stood my ground and, after several years, First Confession is now before First Communion again.

Now she has to play catch-up with several years’ worth of kids who were missed by her decision.

And what should you do? Do not leave your parish. Stay. What you did was correct. Be gracious, and above all, pray for everyone involved. Pray for your priest most of all.

'thann

 

[netmilsmom]

katherine2:

For me, I don’t see the mysteries of the faith and buying lunch at McDonalds as very much related.

Good thing you didn’t live in Jesus’ time. He spoke in parables.

A child’s life was in danger at the McDonalds.
The child’s soul was in danger at this parish.

Or in simpler terms, the man paid for the proper CCD and was not getting it, nor was any other child. He did something about it.

 

[katherine2]

netmil(name removed by moderator):

Good thing you didn’t live in Jesus’ time. He spoke in parables.

You are too humble to pray in the posture the Blessed Mother prayed in but willing to compare yourself to Christ as a teller of parables?

 

[fix]

katherine2:

You are too humble to pray in the posture the Blessed Mother prayed in but willing to compare yourself to Christ as a teller of parables?

How do you know what her posture was? Were you there?

 

[kmktexas]

Consider this:

The key word is recommend… because Canon 914 says that in the first place, it is the parents who see whether their child is ready for the sacrament.

Here is Canon 914

Can. 914 It is primarily the duty of parents and those who take the place of parents, as well as the duty of pastors, to take care that children who have reached the use of reason are prepared properly and, after they have made sacramental confession, are refreshed with this divine food as soon as possible. It is for the pastor to exercise vigilance so that children who have not attained the use of reason or whom he judges are not sufficiently disposed do not approach holy communion.

I don’t see anything in this Canon about “recommend”, rather it says that it is the **duty ** of parents and pastors.

Likewise, it is often mentioned that we cannot make the kids go to Confession berfore First Communion. The Canon above seems to clearly state that the children are to go to Confession, not just have it offered to them.

 

[netmilsmom]

katherine2:

You are too humble to pray in the posture the Blessed Mother prayed in but willing to compare yourself to Christ as a teller of parables?

I wasn’t comparing myself to Christ! LOL! How nice of you to do that though. Trust me, I’m not even worthy to touch His footprint! Lots of other people besides Our Lord will teach with a story. Zell Miller comes to mind.

I was however, stating the fact that if you can’t see the idea behind the story, you would have had a tough time back then.

 

[katherine2]

netmil(name removed by moderator):

I wasn’t comparing myself to Christ! LOL! How nice of you to do that though. Trust me, I’m not even worthy to touch His footprint! Lots of other people besides Our Lord will teach with a story. Zell Miller comes to mind.

The Church teaches dueling is a sin.

 

[john_ennis]

thann:

John, you did the right thing. I was in the same situation (although I had no children preparing for either First Communion or First Confession). My concern was that the children of my parish were not being properly catechized.
Be gracious, and above all, pray for everyone involved. Pray for your priest most of all.

'thann

Thann, your words are very kind. It is indeed a parallel experience for both of us. I, too, would have remained insistent, irrespective of whether my own kids were affected.
And it was over a year ago that I first approached the DRE, with the same results you got. I can’t imagine doing nothing.
But, if I have any regret, it’s the posting of this, which gives a sort of glibness to the whole matter.

Peace.
John

 

[Lisa4Catholics]

john ennis:

Thann, your words are very kind. It is indeed a parallel experience for both of us. I, too, would have remained insistent, irrespective of whether my own kids were affected.
And it was over a year ago that I first approached the DRE, with the same results you got. I can’t imagine doing nothing.
But, if I have any regret, it’s the posting of this, which gives a sort of glibness to the whole matter.

Peace.
John

John don’t feel bad for posting,you did what you should do.Some people enjoy trying to cut other people down and elevating themselves.You did talk to superiors before you took action and this is important.People wonder why there are so many people who don’t knowwhat the Catholic Church teaches God Bless

 

[netmilsmom]

katherine2:

The Church teaches dueling is a sin.

Only if you are a good shot
Then again, verbally abusing someone (who you invited onto your show) is frowned upon too.