Pastoral Message of

Bishop Philip Tartaglia

on Sacraments for Baptised Children 

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Following much thought, prayer and a consultation with the authorities in Rome which are responsible for the way we celebrate the Sacraments (the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments), I have decided to separate First Holy Communion from Confirmation.

So, as from school session 2008-2009, Children in P4 will make their First Confession and First Holy Communion as normal. When these same children reach P7, they will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

In so doing, my intention is to simplify the Mass of First Holy Communion, to extend the process of the children’s Christian initiation and to create a greater focus on Confirmation towards the end of Primary School before the children begin at secondary school. Confirmation will ordinarily be celebrated by the bishop.

I think this will be better for the children’s religious development and allow a more measured approach to religious education and preparation for the Sacraments through the years of Primary School.

In the meantime, very little needs to change in regard to First Confession and First Holy Communion.

I am very well aware of the immense amount of hard work and preparation which went into implementing the process currently in use in our diocese. Important lessons have been learned from that experience and from that practice which we must carry into our new way of celebrating the Sacraments. I am confident that a similar level of commitment and preparation will lead to even more worthy and joyful celebrations of these important Sacraments in our parish communities.

My Office will begin working with parishes and schools to prepare the children for Confirmation for school session 2010-2011.

May God bless you.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

+Philip Tartaglia

Bishop of Paisley

June 2008

 

 

Diocesan Pastoral Congress

Bishop Philip celebrated Solemn Evening Prayer in St. Mirin's Cathedral on Thursday 8th May 2008 as  part of the Diocesan Pastoral Congress. Members of Diocesan Organisations, Parish Pastoral Councils, parish and local groups heard the Bishop reflect on the current situation of the Diocese and suggest some areas which are the focus for evangelisation.

 

The full text can be viewed in the frame below or be opened here as a pdf document.

 

 

Communications Sunday Message

Bishop Philip is the President of the National Communications Commission. He has sent a message to the parishes in Scotland for the 42nd World Communications Day