Parents will be asked to take a pro-active role in their child's faith under radical new proposals that will put the onus on 'opting-in' to the sacraments rather than the traditional approach where virtually every child makes First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
The Church has announced a major shift that will see parents asked to choose whether they want their children to receive the sacraments or not rather than just following the lead of other children.
It will signal a radical shake-up of sacramental preparation for decades and it is likely to lead to a situation where fewer Irish children are making their First Holy Communion and Confirmation with parents asked to reflect on whether or not they want to freely choose for their children to participate in the life of the Church.
Concern
It comes amid increasing concern among priests, teachers and catechists that some parents who are not involved in the Church are simply choosing for their children to receive the sacraments because it is seen as 'the done thing'.
Findings
Announcing the findings of major new research on faith-based education, Fr Michael Drumm, chairman of the Catholic Schools Partnership, said that ''since some parents wish to have their children initiated into the Catholic Church while they themselves are not active participants in the parish community, there is a need to develop an opt-in process for sacramental preparation.''
''This should begin with baptism,'' Fr Drumm insisted, where parents presenting their child for the sacrament will have to demonstrate that they are committed to participation in the life of the Church and wish to make a concerted effort to raise their child as a Catholic.
Catholic schools will continue to play a key role in sacramental preparation in the future.
However, links with the parish will be strengthened.
''Over time, the parish identity of schools will be strengthened and the parish community will grow in awareness of its faith formation responsibilities to all of its members from early childhood through to mature adulthood,'' Fr Drumm said.
Last year, Dublin's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin announced plans to ask parents and children to formally apply for the sacraments his diocese.
''This should be accompanied by an appropriate catechesis of parents,'' he said.
However, Archbishop Martin warned that ''contacts with parents should be demanding but not unrealistic or such as to make them feel resentful''.
''Programmes should be attractive rather than simply compulsory,'' he said.