Boy denied first communion due to mental disability.

A Catholic church turned away 8-year-old Kevin Castro of Floresville, Texas, from his First Communion because he had cerebral palsy, according to the boy's family.

When the Rev. Phil Henning of Sacred Heart Catholic Church denied Kevin his first reception of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, Henning said the boy had "the mental capacity of a 6-month old" and didn't have "sufficient knowledge of Christ" to participate in the religious rite, even though Catholic doctrine doesn't specify what level of knowledge is adequate.

Full story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/boy-cerebra...d=13461019

I don't agree with how rudely the church responded, but I don't think the boy should be getting a first communion.

discuss.

wat a cock

Reading this made me realize that I don't know what communion is for/meant to be. Even though I went through it. >_>;

All I remember are the cookies and the orange juice. I'm serious btw.

Like alex said, kids probably won't remember most of their first communion regardless of intelligence level unless of course they're drafted by the douchebag who turned this kid down and turn into a jesus freak.

No real religious bashing intended here of course. But that guy is a d'ick.

Reading this made me realize that I don't know what communion is for/meant to be. Even though I went through it. >_>;

All I remember are the cookies and the orange juice. I'm serious btw.

I hardly remember mine, too. I'm atheist now so I don't really care, but it's basically the rite of passage where you accept the body and blood of christ by eating the "bread" and drinking the "wine" they give you, along with other ceremonial things. (iirc)

I don't think he should be doing it for several reasons:

1. He's not mentally "all the way there" so he probably won't remember it at all.
2. He won't be able to appreciate and take it seriously.
3. He'll have no idea what he's doing.

This is, of course, assuming he really does have only the mental capacity of a 6 month old child.

However, I could see that his baptism (if he had one) was appropriate.

Catholic church has always been there for the sole purpose of abusing the faith of others, to control masses and to pay for churchs personal luxury life.

You can disagree with me, but it wont change my opinion.

Catholicism within the stereotypical latino population has often confused me.

Isn't it said that they may only have sex with the intent of producing a child? I hardly ever see anyone sticking to "the rules" of any religion for that matter, and then they get extremely upset at the sight of bashing on their belief that they don't practice properly. I went to private catholic schools for years and ffs it's hell living like what they want you to be imo.

I'm mexican by the way.

1. He's not mentally "all the way there" so he probably won't remember it at all.
2. He won't be able to appreciate and take it seriously.
3. He'll have no idea what he's doing.

Well, aside from the mental part, it's not like other kids his age who do go will be exempt from these reasons either. I didn't take religion seriously when i was 8 and my aunt/uncle/their kids were heavily involved in the church. Sure as hell didn't have any idea what the first communion was for if/when i went to it. I didn't even know what the point was until i read your explanation for it just now. I would imagine most kids don't take religion seriously nowadays. Which is why it's been dying out lately.

Well, aside from the mental part, it's not like other kids his age who do go will be exempt from these reasons either. I didn't take religion seriously when i was 8 and my aunt/uncle/their kids were heavily involved in the church. Sure as hell didn't have any idea what the first communion was for if/when i went to it. I didn't even know what the point was until i read your explanation for it just now. I would imagine most kids don't take religion seriously nowadays. Which is why it's been dying out lately.

I went to catholic private schools for years (as stated above) and had to study religion an hour a day..... all of that made a lot of things stick to my memory, but I still hardly remember most of it. I see your point.

I think heavily religious choices such as this should be put off at least until people are in their mid-late teens where the person actually knows (somewhat) what the pineapple they're getting into and why they're doing it.

>Come in see title about mentally handicap child
>Texas
LOLOLOLOLOL

Seriously though, the guy was a real plantain for his excuse of not giving the boy communion

Catholic church has always been there for the sole purpose of abusing the faith of others, to control masses and to pay for churchs personal luxury life.

You can disagree with me, but it wont change my opinion.

You are confusing the actions of one priest with official church policy.

Catholic church has always been there for the sole purpose of abusing the faith of others, to control masses and to pay for churchs personal luxury life.

You can disagree with me, but it wont change my opinion.

I agree. I never saw it much in Southern Baptist churches. (Do not throw this off topic, I know of the church you're thinking of; and don't get it started here).

I find this ironic considering most religious individuals don't know jack about their own religion.

So, the Rev. denied him of that, because the boy doesn't know enough of God?

Well, technically, the Rev. himself knows as much about God as the little boy. Unless you REALLY think a book written by mankind really answers everything regarding God...

Catholic church has always been there for the sole purpose of abusing the faith of others, to control masses and to pay for churchs personal luxury life.

You can disagree with me, but it wont change my opinion.

In the past this was far more true than it is now. Now, religion is just a sad shadow of it's former overpoweringly prevalent dominance over society. It is true that religion was first formed as a method to keep rebellion under an iron fist, indoctrinate people from birth into believing what those in charge wanted them to believe, and maintain a steady income all the while. It tries to do so now, but with the influx of so many different forms of information sources that are readily available, it is hard to control all of that real information from reaching those that they are trying to control. Poor China is struggling valiantly, but they are slowly falling further and further away from their "glorious" people's republic and inching closer to a real society, now.

Catholic church has always been there for the sole purpose of abusing the faith of others, to control masses and to pay for churchs personal luxury life.

You can disagree with me, but it wont change my opinion.

So, the Rev. denied him of that, because the boy doesn't know enough of God?

Well, technically, the Rev. himself knows as much about God as the little boy. Unless you REALLY think a book written by mankind really answers everything regarding God...

These. Like it's been said, the Rev doesn't know anything about god more than the boy. He has no right to judge anyone and make him unable to do something because of his disability.

even though Catholic doctrine doesn't specify what level of knowledge is adequate.

Key point right here. I do not think the bible has a clear definition on how aware someone has to be either.

Key point right here. I do not think the bible has a clear definition on how aware someone has to be either.

With religion dying out in numbers you would think the church would accept anyone. Even if they're brain dead. >.>

With religion dying out in numbers you would think the church would accept anyone. Even if they're brain dead. >.>

*must resist joke*

Serious note: Can't you at least be baptised under a parent or something, why not this as well? Unless he gets cured of it he's not going to be able to receive it at any point in his life.

*must resist joke*

Serious note: Can't you at least be baptised under a parent or something, why not this as well? Unless he gets cured of it he's going to be able to receive it at any point in his life.

Depends on what they believe about baptism. If they believe that baptism is a way of dedicating your child to God, then they probably could. Although usually you get a minister to do it. If they believe baptism is a way to signify your own personal choice to follow Christ, then probably not I guess.