ARTICLES

Bishop Puts His Foot Down

KIDS RECEIVING COMMUNION BEFORE FIRST CONFESSION

San Diego bishop Robert H. Brom has ordered local priests and catechists to stop the practice of allowing children to receive First Communion before their First Confession.

"In preparing the quinquennial report which I have recently submitted to the Holy See," the bishop wrote in an April 15 memo, "I became aware that a few parishes are in violation of the general law of the Church (cf. Canon 914) by postponing First Penance until after the reception of First Eucharist."

In support of his directive, Bishop Brom quoted from the General Catechetical Directory: "Going to the Sacrament of Penance from the beginning of the use of reason does not in itself harm the minds of children, provided it is preceded, as it should be, by a kind and prudential catechesis. The spirit of penance can be developed more fully by continuing catechetical instruction after First Communion...."

Calling Canon 914 "a law from which none of us is free to take exception," Bishop Brom set a deadline of September 1 for all parishes to be in conformity.