THE Bishop of Limerick, Brendan Leahy, has made the eminently sensible suggestion that the age of confirmation be raised to 16. Sensible and liberal, even, in that it acknowledges becoming a Catholic should be a considered choice by a sentient human.
Last week, Bishop Leahy said young people needed to realise that being Catholic is "an option", while confirmation "often appears like a pre-fabricated cultural package of Irish heritage we are born into - to be discarded nonchalantly later in life as part of our throwaway culture".
http://www.herald.ie/opinion/deirdre-oshaughnessy-we-should-let-kids-opt-to-be-a-catholic-at-16-then-theyll-know-if-its-for-them-30943108.html
Last week, Bishop Leahy said young people needed to realise that being Catholic is "an option", while confirmation "often appears like a pre-fabricated cultural package of Irish heritage we are born into - to be discarded nonchalantly later in life as part of our throwaway culture".
http://www.herald.ie/opinion/deirdre-oshaughnessy-we-should-let-kids-opt-to-be-a-catholic-at-16-then-theyll-know-if-its-for-them-30943108.html