Receiving Sacraments

[littleflower+JMJ]

What is the proper response to people who do not live their faith (never attend church or living by the teachings of the church) and showing up only for the times they want sacraments like baptism, communion, confirmation and even quinceneras (even though its not a sacrament but a ceremony done by the priest)? I continually run into people who are living out of grace, never go to church and don't expect to go to church or do anything such as classes, etc. come and demand the priest to give them whatever sacrament they are in wanting. Many times these people get mad and call the priest too strict and going overboard if they are not given the sacrament or required to do the littlest bit of work on their part. When they ask for one and get told something they do not like, they just go from parish to parish until they find a priest who does give them the sacrament and then brag about how they got it and did nothing for it. After this they assume that they do not have to do or change anything and that all the priests were wrong to require or to suggest they do something like attend mass. This is very common and I wanted some insight on defending the faith and sacraments when coming across this talk about the sacraments.

[CatherineM]

It can be a fine line when dealing with people who window shop for sacraments, wanting to protect the sacraments, wanting to be a good steward, but also to not cross a line into being judgmental. Parishes handle it differently because each pastor can look at the situation differently. Until recently, our parish was the one that people went to for an easy RCIA, or infant baptism. Preparation for those were handled by our former pastoral associate who believed that the sacraments should be open to everyone because receiving a sacrament can change a person in ways that we can't see or understand. She also believed that denying someone a sacrament would drive them farther from the church. Weddings were much harder because our pastor handled those.

I'm one who believes that education is the answer. I don't believe that those who are just having their child baptized because the child's grandmother wants them to should be given the keys to the church so to speak. But, I do understand both sides of the argument. I served as an EM many years ago, and I can't imagine being told to withhold the cup from a public sinner or dissenter. My father was turned away from the communion rail when I was a child, and he was never the same about the church. I don't know if there could have been a more productive way to handle it at the time. I'm in no position to second guess a priest. We can't know what kind of discussions someone has had with our pastors, or what they have said in confession. We should take our cues from our pastors, and let them decide how to handle it. That's why they get paid the big bucks, to make the hard decisions.

On the other hand, my pastoral theology thesis was on pro-choice politicians, so this stuff drives me just as nuts as it does you.

[littleflower+JMJ]

Sorry if my post was confusing but what I am really looking for is if there is anything to support the priest's decisions of upholding the sacraments to some kind of standard? My problem lies within defending the priests since they are the ones making these decisions and are being attacked all the time about this.

[CatherineM]

These are the canons that are most often used around this topic.

[quote]Canon 840 The sacraments of the New Testament were instituted by Christ the Lord and entrusted to the Church. As actions of Christ and of the Church, they are signs and means by which faith is expressed and strengthened, worship is offered to God and our sanctification is brought about. Thus they contribute in the most effective manner to establishing, strengthening and manifesting ecclesiastical communion. Accordingly, in the celebration of the sacraments both the sacred ministers and all the other members of Christ’s faithful must show great reverence and due care.

Canon 843 §1 Sacred ministers may not deny the sacraments to those who opportunely ask for them, are properly disposed and are not prohibited by law from receiving them.

§2 According to their respective offices in the Church, both pastors of souls and all other members of Christ’s faithful have a duty to ensure that those who ask for the sacraments are prepared for their reception. This should be done through proper evangelization and catechetical instruction, in accordance with the norms laid down by the competent authority.

Canon 868 §1 For an infant to be baptized lawfully it is required:

1° that the parents, or at least one of them, or the person who lawfully holds their place, give their consent;

2° that there be a well-founded hope that the child will be brought up in the catholic religion. If such hope is truly lacking, the baptism is, in accordance with the provisions of particular law, to be deferred and the parents advised of the reason for this.

Canon 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion.

Canon 1066 Before a marriage takes place, it must be established that nothing stands in the way of its valid and lawful celebration.

Canon 1069 Before the celebration of a marriage, all the faithful are bound to reveal to the parish priest or the local Ordinary such impediments as they may know about.[/quote]

#915 is the one people quote when talking about denying politicians communion.