Catholic Church denies sacrament of Holy Communion to Down Syndrome child

I think this is a really tough situation for the family. I am not really sure I know enough to fully understand the situation, but I would ask questions. This situation arises in the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church and the Churches in Communion with the Roman Catholic Church view the Eucharist differently than do other churches. In Eucharist, the recipient receives, by Catholic doctrine, the real body and blood of Christ. Downs Syndrome involves different levels disability; I don't know how badly this child is affected. What is the risk that this child would do something inappropriate with the host---such as spitting it out? I don't know nearly enough to answer that. Does that mean he is any less worthy of receiving Eucharist than someone else? No. ("Lord, I am not worthy of coming under thy roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed"). The question is whether he can handle the sacrament which The Roman Catholic Church takes as seriously as anything in the world. Having Downs Syndrome, it is very unlikely the boy will ever develop much understanding of the Eucharist. With his baptism, however, he became a member of The Catholic Church. Personally I would say go through a few rehearsals and if they go all right give him the Eucharist. Just my opinion.

Fair point Mandrake but, again, I'm not defending the doctrine; just explaining it.

Where was the "reasoning"when these children were being abused and the perverts responsible effectively protected by the Bishops and the Garda?

I have to agree with allan500: I'm not defending RC doctrine on this matter, but the doctrine is centered around the concept of REASON and being able to understand the sacarament. Being (apparently) lifelong Catholics, this family should have been familiar with that doctrine. To play the discrimination card here is just ridiculous. This is a doctrinal issue, and the priest was doctrinally correct. For the family to act stunned makes me wonder how much they understand RC doctrine. The church's decision should not have come as a surprise to them.

As far as going to a Bishop about this matter,have ye no grey matter at all? These dodgy clerics were part of the cover-up in this child abuse. As far as refusing Communion this bloke is on very shaky ground for doing so.If I were one of his parishioners Id say so from the floor of the Church, turn my back and walk away.

In response to comments made about the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests...yes, it did happen, and yes, it is wrong...but I don't think it's fair to point fingers at the Catholic Church as if they are the only ones, nor do I think it is fair to make it sound as if the majority of priests are abusers. We're talking about less than 1% of the priesthood, and this sort of abuse happens in all religions, and much more often by grandfathers, uncles, doctors, teachers, etc., but you won't see that make the news because Catholicism is the media's favorite whipping boy. I'm not justifying what happened, but we need to take an honest look here at reality and apparent reality.

MegK311, if you do the slightest research you will discover that the Episcopal Church is nothing more than a schismatic offshoot of the Catholic Church. Perhaps the fact that it changes its beliefs to fit every size indicates that it is a church without beliefs.

The family is acting very poorly. If they knew their faith they would know that there might be problem with a child receiving Holy Communion who appears unable to understand what is taking place. They might have reason to appeal to their bishop because whether the boy is able to understand or not was decided by one priest who may have made the wrong call. One wonders how much faith they have. They feel slighted so they begin a petition? They appear not to have rational instincts. The Church does not exist to make people happy. It is the source of salvation from Jesus Christ.

@newcanaan - really? Did you actually read the article? It is about a little Downs Syndrome boy who had conditions placed upon him by the Catholic Church as a precursor to receiving a sacrament on the Church - Communion. You ask about "muslims, jews and protestants" This child would wish to receive communion in a catholic church, not a protestant church, or a mosque, or a synagogue. so your point is somewhat lost in all of this :)

another Catholic bashing story, nothing about muslims, jews, protestants???

MegK311--You're not member of our Church. We make the rules for our church, you don't. Why would you want to receive Communion with us, if you're not one of us? I find that very rude and offensive on your part. You have some some nerve whining about a church that you're not a member of.

I have a daughter who is developmentally disabled so I do understand how these parents feel about their child being discriminated by the church. I am a member of the Episcopal Church and this child would recieve Holy Communion at our services. When I attended a funeral mass at a RC church the priest announced that only members of the RC church could recieve communion. I found that very offensive. At my church all people baptized in the Christian faith were welcome to recieve communion.

This decision is so wrong on so many levels that it is unbelievable.

@cillowen - Oh dear, has it not occurred to you that many Brit RCs are actually decendants of Irish RCs who settled in England in the 19th & 20th Century. "D'OH!!!"

This is the kind of stupid narrowmindedness that drives people away from the catholic church. This precious innocent child has a much better chance of entering Heaven, with or without Holy Communion, than this Mungovin guy.