Paedocommunion and Anglicanism

[higgs2]

Our branch of the Anglican/Episcopal church practices paedocommunion. (We have a six-month old daughter who will be partaking soon.)

What are the various perspectives within Anglicanism on this issue, and what are your respective opinions on this doctrine?

Thanks!

paleodoxy

My children all take communion. My 1.5 year old had her first taste of the wine from the tip of our priests finger right after she was baptised. I wouldn't attend a church where my children were not welcome at the table.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

All Christians are admissible to communion- conditionally. The conditions are few, but one of them is that one must examine one's conscience and heart.

1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. 1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Yes, but what about this scripture? Those who are pro-baby-communion haven't addressed this yet.

 

[higgs2]

Yes, but what about this scripture? Those who are pro-baby-communion haven't addressed this yet.

I don't see anything that says the babies and children can't take communion in that passage.

 

[InnerPhyre]

How is it that children will be excluded but non-Christians are not? I read in another thread that you let the unbaptized partake.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

My children all take communion. My 1.5 year old had her first taste of the wine from the tip of our priests finger right after she was baptised. I wouldn't attend a church where my children were not welcome at the table.

In the CofE, there is an assurance that if your children receive in one church, they can receive anywhere. Your children would be welcome to receive in a CofE church.

When we moved to the UK and presented ourselves at the communion rail, the vicar asked us if the children received.

 

[higgs2]

In the CofE, there is an assurance that if your children receive in one church, they can receive anywhere. Your children would be welcome to receive in a CofE church.

When we moved to the UK and presented ourselves at the communion rail, the vicar asked us if the children received.

I am so glad to know that. Thanks, Naomi.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

How is it that children will be excluded but non-Christians are not? I read in another thread that you let the unbaptized partake.

The 'rules' of CofE say that baptism always preceeds HC.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I am so glad to know that. Thanks, Naomi.

It's safe to plan your vacation now

 

[higgs2]

It's safe to plan your vacation now

Yes, what works for you? (You're watching our kids for us, right? )

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Yes, but what about this scripture? Those who are pro-baby-communion haven't addressed this yet.

I think there are three levels of knowledge/faith here:

• those who have been confirmed
• children who are not confirmed but have some understanding
• children (babies) who have no understanding.

I think you need to have positions on each category - as the CofE does.

 

[ContraMundum]

Yes, but what about this scripture? Those who are pro-baby-communion haven't addressed this yet.

They can't, and they know it, but they will try because that's just what they do. For Western Christians to relax and yeild on this topic means that they are embracing a nominal Christianity, based on social values, rather than on spiritual, scriptural values. They are in effect saying that if you're baptised you're entitled to communion, regardless of your spiritual state. This kind of thinking is indicative of a backslidden, social Christianity and is not in harmony with the scriptures which devotes these verses to the dangers of communion without good confession for our benefit.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Yes, what works for you? (You're watching our kids for us, right? )

You have 3? We wouldn't even notice them

 

[higgs2]

They can't, and they know it, but they will try because that's just what they do. For Western Christians to relax and yeild on this topic means that they are embracing a nominal Christianity, based on social values, rather than on spiritual, scriptural values. They are in effect saying that if you're baptised you're entitled to communion, regardless of your spiritual state. This kind of thinking is indicative of a backslidden, social Christianity and is not in harmony with the scriptures which devotes these verses to the dangers of communion without good confession for our benefit.

Oh fiddle dee dee, Contra. I would think you'd get in much more metaphysical trouble by refusing the body and blood to a baptised Christian who desires to partake, no matter what their age.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Oh fiddle dee dee, Contra. I would think you'd get in much more metaphysical trouble by refusing the body and blood to a baptised Christian who desires to partake, no matter what their age.

Yes, but honestly, how can you tell that a 1 1/2 year old desires to partake? They will put anything in their mouths!

 

[ContraMundum]

Oh fiddle dee dee, Contra. I would think you'd get in much more metaphysical trouble by refusing the body and blood to a baptised Christian who desires to partake, no matter what their age.

How would you know whether or not they wanted to partake and how would you know they had examined their conscience? What are the consequences if you get it wrong? If they wanted it and could not communicate that desire to the priest, after having somehow proven their self examination, then it's no great loss, they are, after all still baptised and they will have another opportunity. If however, we just give communion to children to appease their parent's emotions, and thereby conveniently bypass the scriptures, there are grave dangers. Taking Holy Communion is not a right, it is conditional upon important spiritual steps.

If someone else wants to have warm gooey feelings, and casually ignore the Apostle's words. Fine, enjoy. Don't expect me to assist though, I have a duty.

Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

 

[ContraMundum]

Yes, but honestly, how can you tell that a 1 1/2 year old desires to partake? They will put anything in their mouths!

....yes...because they don't know any better.

 

[higgs2]

Yes, but honestly, how can you tell that a 1 1/2 year old desires to partake? They will put anything in their mouths!

I remember my son at 1.5 not getting the bread, and as I carried him out of the church he was sobbing, "I want some! I want some"!

Also, it's a sacrament, we believe in the real precense, I don't believe that "understanding" is important.

Here's a question. What about an adult who is mentally hanicapped, say the IQ of a young child or even a toddler. They are baptised. Should they receive communion?

 

[higgs2]

How would you know whether or not they wanted to partake and how would you know they had examined their conscience? What are the consequences if you get it wrong? If they wanted it and could not communicate that desire to the priest, after having somehow proven their self examination, then it's no great loss, they are, after all still baptised and they will have another opportunity. If however, we just give communion to children to appease their parent's emotions, and thereby conveniently bypass the scriptures, there are grave dangers. Taking Holy Communion is not a right, it is conditional upon important spiritual steps.

If someone else wants to have warm gooey feelings, and casually ignore the Apostle's words. Fine, enjoy. Don't expect me to assist though, I have a duty.

Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Do you have children? You can tell they want to be included, trust me. As their conscience develops, they learn how to examine it. Do you think a 1.5 year old has a fully developed conscience that needs to be examined?

My 4 year old understands communion as well or probably better than most of the people in the pews, btw. And probably values it more.

 

[higgs2]

How would you know whether or not they wanted to partake and how would you know they had examined their conscience? What are the consequences if you get it wrong? If they wanted it and could not communicate that desire to the priest, after having somehow proven their self examination, then it's no great loss, they are, after all still baptised and they will have another opportunity. If however, we just give communion to children to appease their parent's emotions, and thereby conveniently bypass the scriptures, there are grave dangers. Taking Holy Communion is not a right, it is conditional upon important spiritual steps.

If someone else wants to have warm gooey feelings, and casually ignore the Apostle's words. Fine, enjoy. Don't expect me to assist though, I have a duty.

Jdg 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

Oh, and you can say the ECUSA gives communion to children because they prefer the "warm gooey feeling" to the apostle's words if that makes you feel better. But like it or not, it is a valid theological position and we don't need you to assist us.

 

[higgs2]

....yes...because they don't know any better.

Actually, she holds her hands out properly to receive.