Age of reason (canon law)
- Age of reason (canon law)
The age of reason, also called the age of discretion, is the age at which children become capable of moral responsibility. On completion of the seventh year a minor is presumed to have the use of reason (canon 97 §2 of the Code of Canon Law), but mental retardation or insanity could prevent some individuals from ever reaching it. Children under the age of reason and the mentally handicapped are sometimes called "innocents" because of their inability to commit sins: even if their actions are objectively sinful, they sometimes lack capacity for subjective guilt.
While in the Eastern Churches Confirmation (also known as Chrismation) and Eucharist are bestowed on the infant who has just been baptized, in Latin rite Catholicism, confirmation (except in danger of death) may be lawfully conferred only on a person who has the use of reason (canon 889 §2), and Holy Communion may be administered to children only if "they have sufficient knowledge and (are) accurately prepared, so that according to their capacity they understand what the mystery of Christ means, and are able to receive the Body of the Lord with faith and devotion. The blessed Eucharist may, however, be administered to children in danger of death if they can distinguish the Body of Christ from ordinary food and receive communion with reverence" (canon 913).
ee also
*Age of consent
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Age of Reason (disambiguation) — Age of reason may refer to the following:* 17th century philosophy, as a successor of the Renaissance and a predecessor to the Age of Enlightenment * Age of Enlightenment in its long form of 1600 1800 * The Age of Reason , a book by Thomas Paine… … Wikipedia
Canon Law — • Canon law is the body of laws and regulations made by or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Canon Law Canon Law … Catholic encyclopedia
Age of consent — For other uses, see Age of consent (disambiguation). Sex and the law Social issues Age of consent · Antisexualis … Wikipedia
Medicine and Canon Law — • In the early centuries the practice of medicine by clerics, whether secular or regular, was not treated with disapproval by the Church, nor was it at all uncommon for them to devote a considerable part of their time to the medical avocation.… … Catholic encyclopedia
Age of Enlightenment — Age of Reason redirects here. For other uses, see Age of Reason (disambiguation) … Wikipedia
Canon — • Ecclesiastical person • Musical term, the strictest of all contrapuntal forms Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Canon Canon … Catholic encyclopedia
Law of Arms — The Law of Arms or laws of heraldry, governs the bearing of arms , that is, the possession, use or display of arms, also called coats of arms, coat armour or armorial bearings. Although it is believed that the original function of coats of arms… … Wikipedia
Canon of the Old Testament — • Signifies the authoritative list or closed number of the writings composed under Divine inspiration, and destined for the well being of the Church Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Canon of the Old Testament … Catholic encyclopedia
Canon of the Mass — • Article divided into four sections: (I) Name and place of the Canon; (II) History of the Canon; (III) The text and rubrics of the Canon; (IV) Mystical interpretations Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Canon of the Mass … Catholic encyclopedia
Canon of the New Testament — • The idea of a complete and clear cut canon of the New Testament existing from the beginning, that is from Apostolic times, has no foundation in history Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Canon of the New Testament … Catholic encyclopedia
