Morals of the Church
Library › McHugh–Callan, Moral Theology › Volume II › Part II. Special Moral Theology (Continued) › Question IV. The Sacraments › Art. 2. Baptism; Confirmation; the Eucharist; the Sacrifice of the Mass

Section — McHugh–Callan, Moral Theology

The Pastor

2698.

Duties of the Pastor in Reference to Confirmation

Duties of the Pastor in Reference to Confirmation.—(a) The pastor should instruct his people on the nature and advantages of Confirmation and should see to it that they receive the Sacrament in due time (Canon 787). He should also instruct his parishioners about the terms of Spiritus Sanctus. His power as extraordinary minister imposes an obligation per se grave to use it when the cases arise; excusing causes, however, are possible, and neglect in a single case would be only venial. At appointed times each year he should hold a continuous course of instructions over a period of several days in order to prepare the classes of children for the proper reception of Confirmation (Canon 1300).

(b) The pastor should see that the Confirmations of his parishioners are entered in a special book of record, and should also note in the baptismal register the fact of Confirmation (Canons 798, 470, n. 2).

The duty of pastors to administer the sacramentsConfirmation