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Children & Holy Communion
Jesus took a little child and had him stand among them. He took the child in his arms and said, 'If anyone accepts children like these in my name, then he is also accepting me. And if he accepts me, then he is also accepting the One who sent me.'
Mark9: 36-37
Some background
In 1996 the House of Bishops provided guidelines on the admission of baptised persons to Holy Communion before confirmation and many parishes have taken this opportunity to apply to the Bishop for permission to admit children to Holy Communion.
The process of considering the change of practice is an extremely useful educational exercise for any parish which undertakes it. It provides an opportunity for a whole church to consider questions about initiation and nurture: about what Baptism means, about how children grow in faith.
The Admission of Baptised Persons
to Holy Communion before Confirmation
A shortened form of the guidelines agreed by the House of Bishops
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Since communion before confirmation is a departure from our inherited norm, it requires special permission from the diocesan Bishop.
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The incumbent must ensure that the policy adopted for their parish is clearly and widely understood.
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Baptism always precedes admission to communion.
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In general the time of the first receiving should be determined not so much by the child's chronological age as by his or her appreciation of the significance of the sacrament.
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The Church needs to encourage awareness of many different levels of understanding, and support the inclusion of those with learning difficulties in the Christian community. Particular care needs to be taken with the preparation of any who have learning difficulties, including children.
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Before the person is first brought to Holy Communion, the significance of the occasion should be explained to him/her and to his/her parents, and marked in some suitable way before the whole congregation
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A register should be kept of every person admitted to Holy Communion before confirmation, and each should be given a certificate (or, better, the baptismal certificate should be endorsed).
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Whether or not a parish practices 'communion before confirmation', the incumbent should take care regarding the quality of teaching material used in the church. It should be reviewed regularly and the advice of diocesan officers and other professional advisers taken into account.
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The priest must decide exactly how much of the liturgy communicant children will attend. Even if there is a separate 'Ministry of the Word' for children, anyone who receives Holy Communion should be present in the main assembly at least for the Eucharistic prayer.
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No baptised person, child or adult, who has once been admitted to Holy Communion and remains in good standing with the Church, should anywhere be deprived of it.
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Since baptism is at the heart of initiation, it is important for the bishop regularly to be the minister of holy baptism
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In using rites of public reaffirmation of faith other than baptism and confirmation, care should be taken to avoid the impression that they are identical with confirmation. In the case of those people who have not been confirmed, it will be more appropriate for the incumbent to propose that they be confirmed.
How can we help you?
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Has your church yet considered the question of admitting children to communion before confirmation?
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Would it be appropriate for your church to explore further approaches to evangelism and Christian formation, baptism and confirmation?
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Would you like to be put in touch with a church where children have been admitted to Holy Communion and to learn of their experience?
If you think you would like help with any of these questions email or telephone Julia Chamberlin (01353 652714), julia.chamberlin@ely.anglican.org the Diocesan Children's Work Adviser.
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