Framework for Admission of Children to Communion

There has been an extensive process of consultation on the admission of baptised persons to Holy Communion before confirmation. This Diocesan Framework is based on the Guidelines drawn up by the Church of England's House of Bishops, which formed part of a Report presented to the General Synod on 27th November 1996. Synod took note of the Report and welcomed it, encouraging the House of Bishops to confirm the Guidelines.

The traditional pattern still remains appropriate for parishes which desire to continue current practice; that is, that confirmation precedes admission to Holy Communion, and is administered to those who have come 'to an age of discretion', interpreted in this Diocese as normally not younger than 12 years of age. These guidelines have been prepared to enable parishes to discuss the issues in relation to their own situation and provide a framework for parishes to adopt formally the practice of offering Communion to children before Confirmation.

Permission from the Bishop

Since Communion before Confirmation is a departure from the inherited norms of the Church of England, it requires special permission of the Bishop of Truro before admitting children to Holy Communion.

A Parish Framework for the Admission of Children to Holy Communion

The Bishop will wish to know that both the Parish Priest and the PCC, and that where appropriate, as for example in LEPs, ecumenical partners, support an application for permission to admit children to Holy Communion.  In order to ensure that a church community moves forward together on this, each parish will be asked to consult carefully and decide upon a framework for the admission of children to Holy Communion.
See Appendix One.

Baptism

The rite of Baptism represents the complete initiation into the Christian Church and therefore always precedes admission to Holy Communion and so before admitting a person to communion, a priest must seek evidence of Baptism.

To find out more just click on this link to Age and circumstances of Admission.