Holy Communion Before Confirmation

HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE CONFIRMATION: ADMISSION OF BAPTIZED PERSONS

1. Since 'communion before confirmation' is a departure from our inherited norm it requires special permission. The agreement of the Area Bishop is required before a parish introduces the practice of admitting baptized persons to communion before confirmation.
2. An application to the Area Bishop for an approved Parish Policy for the 'Admission of baptized persons to Holy Communion before confirmation', see form, must include the following elements:
   1. evidence that both the incumbent and the Parochial Church Council support the application.
   2. evidence that the parish policy is clear and understood within the parish.
   3. details of the Christian nurture and education programme for the parish for both children and adults.
   4. evidence that the importance of Confirmation is emphasized within the programme of nurture.
   5. that Baptism must always precede admission to Holy Communion.
   6. that there is a proper discussion between the parish priest, the parents and other catechists about the right time for admission of a child to Holy Communion, and that they share in a continuing education of the child in the significance of Holy Communion. Persons (including children) with learning difficulties should not be barred, but rather given an opportunity to experience the sacramental signs of God's love.
   7. before a child is first brought to Holy Communion the significance of the occasion should be explained to him/her.
   8. 'First Communion' should be marked in some way appropriate to the life of the parish.
   9. a register of every person admitted to Holy Communion before Confirmation should be kept, and each person so admitted should be given a certificate by the Area Bishop.
   10. the priest must consult with the Area Bishop about how much of the liturgy communicant children should attend. The Ministry of the Word may be in separate groups (e.g. Sunday School), but the Ministry of the Sacrament should be for the whole church together.
3. The Christian nurture and education programme of the parish, which will form part of the application to the Area Bishop, must be monitored by someone in the Episcopal Area, possibly the Parish Ministry Development Adviser. Resources for such programmes are kept by the Diocesan Children's Adviser at London Diocesan House for the use of parishes.
4. It is impossible to force the policy of one parish on to another, and therefore there may be difficulties when families move from one parish to another. It should be made clear that admission to Holy Communion before confirmation is "for this parish only". However, unconfirmed communicant people who move to another parish will be commended to their new incumbent as communicant members of the church.
5. Since the bishop is the principal minister of initiation, it is important for the bishop regularly to be the minister of Holy Baptism, and particularly at services where candidates will be both baptized and confirmed.