Admission of Children to Holy Communion before Confirmation

Under the regulations, parishes which previously received permission to admit children to receive holy communion before confirmation were expected to re-apply. While children previously admitted may continue to receive communion, no new children ought to be admitted until I give renewed permission to the parish or benefice concerned, following fresh discussion by the relevant Parochial Church Council. Forms and procedures are contained in the diocesan booklet The Admission of Children to Holy Communion before Confirmation. Copies of this are available from Tricia Elson. The material is also available on the diocesan website at http://www.norwich.anglican.org/youth/documents/Children_Communion.pdf

I am conscious that many parishes which were previously given permission have not re-applied. I doubt this is because the practice has ceased. If yours is one of those parishes or benefices, I would be very grateful if you would look into the matter. Others who may not yet have considered this possibility are encouraged to do so, whatever their eventual decision. Resources to assist discussion are available from the Youth and Children's Resource Centre at Horstead and it is useful to obtain these as well as the booklet.

The future of our Church depends on the way in which we communicate the faith to succeeding generations. I pray God's blessing on all your work and ministry in this area.

+Graham