Bishopric supports priest accused of “denying” Baptism and First Communion

The Diocese of Malaga (Spain) supports a priest accused of “denying” access to the sacrament of Baptism to a baby and First Communion to a young person, protected by canon law.

Neighbors of the Malaga town of Benamargosa have started a public denunciation campaign against the parish priest of the church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, priest David Roger Roca García, whom they accuse of not administering these sacraments.

The local newspaper Malaga Today includes the complaint made by María del Carmen Jaime Gómez, who more than a year ago asked the priest to baptize her daughter, but he did not agree. According to the newspaper, the parish priest had decided not to administer the sacrament “alleging that Gómez did not regularly attend Sunday masses.”

The newspaper also claims that last June the archpriest of the area would have told this neighbor that “the bishop had given him authorization to baptize his daughter and record the event in the baptismal books.”

However, the Bishopric of Malaga has expressed through a statement that the parish priest has always kept Mons. Jesús Catalá up to date with the case and that he has made the decision not to administer the baptism at this time in accordance with the Code of Canon Law.

According to him canon 868 “to licitly baptize a child,” in addition to the consent of the parents “or at least one of the two, or those who legitimately act in their place,” the priest must have “a well-founded hope that the child will be educated in the religion.” Catholic.”

Ecclesiastical law further establishes that “if this hope is completely lacking, baptism must be deferred, according to the provisions of particular law, making the parents aware of the reason.”

In this sense, the Diocese of Malaga details in its writing that the parish priest “has never ‘denied’ the sacrament, he has only applied the Church’s regulations of ‘deferring baptism’. This is what he has made known to his parents, with whom he has a fluid and close relationship.”

Consequently, he adds, “at the moment when there is a ‘founded hope’ of being educated in the Catholic faith, the girl could be baptized.”

Another neighbor has told Malaga Today that the same priest had decided not to give his son First Communion for the moment, arguing that the boy “did not have faith.”

In this case, the diocese points out that “the parish priest confirms that the child does not have the necessary preparation or disposition and also prefers to defer communion” and explains that “to celebrate and receive a sacrament from the age of use of reason it is It is necessary to know what one receives and to have a minimum of religious training, an attitude of faith in wanting to live it and the will to do so.”

The Code of Canon Law establishes (canon 912 et seq.) the requirements to receive the Holy Eucharist. In principle, “every baptized person who is not prohibited by law can and must be admitted to Holy Communion.”

However, for it to be administered to children “it is required that they have sufficient knowledge and have received careful preparation, so that they understand the mystery of Christ to the extent of their ability, and can receive the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion.” ”.

Thus, the law of the Catholic Church continues, “parents in the first place, and those who take their place, as well as the parish priest, have the obligation to ensure that children who have reached the use of reason are properly prepared and nourished as much as possible.” before, after sacramental confession, with this divine food.”

The canonical norm specifies that “it is also the responsibility of the parish priest to ensure that children who have not yet reached the use of reason, or those whom he does not judge sufficiently willing, do not receive the Holy Eucharist.”