Minimum Age Requirement for Children Receiving Holy Communion

Prologue: Bishop Fricker referred to the Notice of Motion from the February 1988 meeting of the House of Bishops and mentioned the Boston International Anglican Consultation which indicated there is an increase in the number of children receiving communion before confirmation, irrespective of age in the majority of cases. The House had asked for an opportunity to have the issue clarified and discussed. Bishop Ferris felt that, in some cases, children and parents were coming forward for communion with very little training and that removal of age limits may cause difficulties. Discussion followed.; The Primate read an excerpt from the 1973 minutes of the House of Bishops, with reference to these guidelines, drawing attention to the #5 - "No child should be admitted to communion under the age of five."

Text of motion: That any reference to a specific age limit be removed from the guidelines. CARRIED

Subjects: Lord's Supper - Anglican Church of Canada; Lord's Supper - Admission to - Anglican Church of Canada; Lord's Supper - Child participation - Anglican Church of Canada; Children - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Confirmation - Anglican Church of Canada