Priests urged to talk about Communion ceremonies’ reform

Individual priests should start talking about reforming communion and confirmation ceremonies because the Church hierarchy is unlikely to do it for them.

Fr Sean McDonagh,a representative of the independent group, the Association of Catholic Priests, made the comment after calls to remove the age-specific nature of the traditional rites of passage.

The suggestion to replace the current system with one where people would not take communion or confirmation until they feel ready to take up the responsibilities involved was put forward by Laois-based priest Fr Paddy Byrne.