Sacrament of Reconciilation

[1ke]

So is his situation an absolute no and just move on to another Christian Faith or just attend a Catholic Mass and not receive the Sacraments?

The answer is that on a week when he is in town, he should schedule a meeting with his pastor, sit down face to face and have a discussion.

We cannot answer your questions. The pastor needs to be involved and assist your friend.

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Xanthippe_Voorhees:

Ummm no. That is not what the church teaches. He may educate his son, but the church believes in the sanctity of the roles of both parents and does not put more weight on a man’s opinion over a woman’s.

That might be the ideal, but it is certainly not the reality. Before I became Catholic and after my wife and oldest daughter were baptized in the church, I told my wife in no uncertain terms that I did not want our oldest son to be baptized. A few months later she had him baptized at the local parish anyway. The church never sought my opinion on the matter. Why? Because my wife was the only one required to assent to raising him in the faith.

I guess I was thinking in terms of divorced people. At least in my diocese children whose parents are not married must abide by child custody agreements first before the pastor will allow anything.

 

[pianistclare]

Most of the divorced parents are permitted to have their children excused by the pastor for classes every other week. We even received a nasty letter from one attorney about Sacramental prep. They contended that the little boy didn’t have to go to the classes because dad was not Catholic, too bad, so sad.
Father just set up extra instruction when mom had the child. Most parishes are good about working with people in these contentious situations. In this particular case, I’m certain the little boy, when old enough will ask, that he be allowed to be with mom all the time. He has said repeatedly that he is parked in front video games at dad’s house and given fast food. Not spending any time with dad, who is mostly on the phone or on the internet. Dad seldom speaks to him, it’s more about keeping him from mom.
Families need our prayers!

 

[phil19034]

He had called the Parish about home Instruction but met strong resistance on going out of network of the normal Parish Instruction.

So is his situation an absolute no and just move on to another Christian Faith or just attend a Catholic Mass and not receive the Sacraments?

Did he speak with the pastor? Or a staff member? If he spoke to the Pastor and the pastor refuses, then I would suggest he either go to another Catholic Parish or call the diocese as @pianistclare suggested

God Bless

 

[PaulfromIowa]

He needs to talk to his pastor about his and the child’s situation. This sounds like a less than happy situation, with orders being given, rather than things being discussed. Things can get better, disagreements can be resolved happily.

 

[pianistclare]

Indeed, strong resistance is not a “no”. They are not going to just say “do whatever you want” though. There are guidelines. Good ones that only benefit the chidlren.
A face to face, frank discussion is necessary with the Pastor.

 

[PJM]

GREAT Question

My advice is that the father speak to the Pastor, who knows [hopefully] the family well enough to make that decision. This is a matter that the Pastor must be involved in…

God Bless you,
Patrick

 

[tawny]

Well stated, 1ke.

 

[KatyCatholic]

Tough situations in mixed religion marriages. As we learn, it’s almost always about how one spouse respects the other and not really due to the difference in theology.

To affirm, one parent is needed. Both parents are a bonus, but requires just one.

In my dioceses, the requirements for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is defined within a sacrament preparation program. The requirements are that the child be at least 7 years of age, have been in Continuing Catholic Education for at least 2 consecutive years, baptism certificate, and attend Mass weekly.

As my children attend an accredited Catholic grade school, the CCE requirement is waived because they get their religion classes in school. Though, I do have to register and there is a take-home sacrament prep workbook (mine is the purple one).

The first part is the Reconciliation, it will finish with a retreat at my parish and a celebration. The sacrament of reconciliation will then be complete and the child can go to confession at any time thereafter.

The second part is in the spring and is for the Eucharist. Same thing, study at home, retreat at the parish, then the sacrament is formalized (a special satruday mass with all the little kiddos in their cute white dresses and suits).

The time for sacrament prep and faith formation classes is now for the most part. Most dioceses have a fall/winter and winter/spring sessions. The pastor of your parish will definitely be able to help, but most pastors are overworked, stretched thin, or just very busy. You may have better luck getting your sacrament prep going by contacting the Faith Formation department. Do it now as the time may run short, in my Parish, you get credit for attending CCE if you show up at least 70% of the time. We’re already into week 4 of 16, so a late start at 5 weeks barely gets you the attendance but you can’t miss another class for both semesters … that kind of thing.

Best of luck, it is so much easier to get a child to understand the Real Presence than it is to debate with a Protestant who, as a child, has been taught that Jesus did not leave anything behind for us to remember his sacrifice and that the Catholics are corrupt and crazy (not all Protestants hold this anti-catholic stance, but many do).

 

[Xanthippe_Voorhees]

Is there a reason you’re referring to yourself in the third person?

 

[lilypadrees]

If the situation can’t be resolved, he might have to go to another parish. But please, tell him not to give up the Catholic faith.

 

[Saxum]

The priest is the SHEPHERD (spiritually) of everyone that lives in his geographic area.

You’re wrong. A man’s children are his own and he is ultimately responsible for their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. A priest provides support but cannot usurp the position of parents.