I have recently (this year) changed from the paedocomunion position back to credo so perhaps I am still working this out but here is my current position on this.
1. First and foremost...the case of the mentally impaired as an arguement for paedcommunion holds little weight for me as it is the question of an exceptional case. We are never to make the exception the rule (i.e. in some of your credo churches you give the sacrament to those suffering with alzheimers so you might as well give it to the 2 year olds too).
2. I think we need to be careful in the case of the elderly who suffer with diseases like alzheimers not to be too quick to rush into judgement as to when they can no longer discern. My current practice...as long as an alzheimers patient is aware of the bread and wine being administered (meaning in most cases they can 'take and eat' without assistance), I trust to the Lord that they partake rightly. When it comes to the place that the tray is passed around and they stare off into space completely unaware, then I think it not right for them to partake (nor would they unless someone actually feeds it to them).
The reason I think it wrong to bar an alzheimers patient is because they tend to have 'good' days and 'bad' days. One Lord's Day they are aware, the next they are not. This is something I would rather deal with pastorally with the family involved rather than having the session make a ruling to 'bar' the individual from the supper.
Finally, any who will point out I am being inconsistent by holding to the above and also rejecting paedocommunion...if this is so, I am happy to be inconsistent in this matter.
I recently did a 2 part series called
Credocommunion Defended for any interested (it's under the 'Sacraments' link).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff_Bartel  Out of curiosity, would some of you pastors administer communion to a long-time faithful member that down the road gained alzheimers? (Also I realize that there is probably some case by case basis for this). |