Sir, – I read with interest Kathy Sheridan’s article (“The first holy conundrum?”, Weekend Review, May 12th). The two Byrne priests quoted in the article are first-class pastors. Their almost despairing attitude to what reception of Communion and Confirmation now represent must be taken seriously. The article referred to these ceremonies “as an exercise in mass delusion and hypocrisy” for many.
In the past few weeks our parish in Sixmilebridge/Kilmurray has had three ceremonies – involving about 140 children – two communions, one confirmation. From these experiences, I would take a different attitude to that represented in the article. I would regard the three days as three special occasions for the children, the families – immediate and extended – the community and the schools.
We are now living at a time of extraordinary change. The church of the future will no longer be a maintenance or devotional church, solely.
It can only be defined, from now on, as missionary, Christ-centred connecting with the reality of life for people in the world. The starting point will be that reality in that world, not the church. It will be a community of people, with a mission based on Christian values.
If taken in that context we never know how these special sacramental experiences, based on children, might touch the lives of others.
The current crisis can lead to creative opportunities and a different model of church.
Sir, – Kathy Sheridan’s article – a fair and accurate account – I am pleased to see noted the widespread hypocrisy which sadly accompanies this traditional rite of passage and belittles its sacred attributes.
I wholly agree with Fr Paddy Byrne and intend to have a rite-of- passage ceremony for my daughter that involves the church not at all. One of the reasons I had for not baptising my daughter was that I could not, can not and will not stand in a church/ synagogue/ mosque/ temple and swear to embark upon a certain way of living I have no intention of upholding.
My heart goes out to the parish priests across this fine island who will have to act as disciplinarians due to the high number of people who view this sacrament as a circus performance rather than a spiritual event. But I was wholly heartened to read how Portlaoise parish has unhitched the event from the school and placed the preparation (rightly) as the responsibility of parents. Long may it last and may other parishes follow suit. – Is mise,