Is it necessary for children to make their first confession at the age of six or seven before their First Holy Communion?
One little girl shares her thoughts on what sin is. Not saying your prayers and causing offence to God are top of the list, but she is also aware of things which are much more serious. What exactly is the outcome of confession?
The priest washes away your sins.
People outside Saint Teresa’s Church in Clarendon Street in Dublin remember going to confession (also called the Sacrament of Reconciliation) when they were children as taking part in something that everyone else did.
You went to confession as a matter of routine.
It was another adventure, that’s all.
On the question of age, most have positive views on confession, but believe it would be of more benefit for children to start later rather than earlier,
I'd prefer my own children to have first confession when...they’re a little older.
I don't think that until a person matures should they be able or should be allowed to go to confession.
I think it helps to keep the children straight.
The older the child gets, the more meaningful confession would be to him.
I think they're unnecessary at seven or eight, I don’t honestly see there's any point.
'Encounter’ broadcast on 7 May 1972. The reporter is Seán Egan.
The series 'Encounter' aimed to keep viewers informed of important developments in Church affairs not just in Ireland but on a world level. Introduced by Bunny Carr, this live weekly series examined and discussed the meaning and scope of practical Christianity in society. 'Encounter' was first broadcast on 27 September 1970.
