Confirmation

[EverChanging]

I have been looking into traditional Christianity for some time now, mainly Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism, and to some extent, Eastern Orthodoxy, so I have a question.

I know that Roman Catholics and Anglicans generally confirm people who have been instructed in the faith, not infants, where as the Orthodox baptize and confirm infants. The Anglican Communion accepts Eastern Orthodox confirmations as valid, yet the catechism in the Book of Common Prayer requires a person to be instructed in the faith before receiving confirmation, thus excluding infant confirmation.

Does this mean that an infant confirmation performed (usually) by a priest with oil blessed by a bishop in the Eastern Orthodox communion would not be recognized as valid in the Anglican communion, and if the person should wish to be confirmed, the rite should be repeated (or performed for the first time depending on your perception)?

Also, if the parents should desire it, can a bishop confirm an infant in the Anglican Communion?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

What do you think the Anglican Confirmation does?

Baptism Is all that is necessary for a Christian. Those that are baptized can receive communion.

For many years the C of E required people to be Confirmed before they could take communion.
This itself was a "modern requirement"

The Church Synod has now ruled that parishes "may" relax this requirement, My own parish has done so, as have most others in England.

Children are still required to undergo instruction about the meaning of the communion. but they do not need too be confirmed.

Confirmation is the reaffirmation of the vows, that were taken on your behalf, when you were Christened, leading to your full voting membership of the Church.

However Confirmation is not necessary to take part in any services.

The eastern orthodox do not confirm, The child is Christmated with oil at its baptism. ( some Anglican churches do this to)

Any one Joining the Anglican faith who has been Baptized ( trinitarian) still needs to be confirmed to join the Anglican faith. though the procedure is somewhat different for an adult joining from another church. it is done following the normal confirmation candidates, and uses a slightly different form of words.

However it is not necessary for some one who has been baptized in another church (trinitarian) to Join the C of E. to be able to attend the services and take communion.

 

[EverChanging]

I understand that, but the Eastern Orthodox do confirm infants. When it became impossible for bishops to preside over baptisms, of which confirmation was a part, they gave priests the power to do so with oil blessed by the bishop, whereas in the West, the two became separate rites and were separated by a period of years in the case of people who were baptized as infants.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

I understand that, but the Eastern Orthodox do confirm infants. When it became impossible for bishops to preside over baptisms, of which confirmation was a part, they gave priests the power to do so with oil blessed by the bishop, whereas in the West, the two became separate rites and were separated by a period of years in the case of people who were baptized as infants.

The eastern Orthodox do not confirm... They are Chrismated at baptism. they have no need to later confirm what is already achieved, with the receipt of the Holy Spirit.

 

[EverChanging]

There are two traditions of confirmation, one in the East and another in the West. The one in the East involves infant confirmation:

Two traditions: East and West
1290 In the first centuries Confirmation generally comprised one single celebration with Baptism, forming with it a "double sacrament," according to the expression of St. Cyprian. Among other reasons, the multiplication of infant baptisms all through the year, the increase of rural parishes, and the growth of dioceses often prevented the bishop from being present at all baptismal celebrations. In the West the desire to reserve the completion of Baptism to the bishop caused the temporal separation of the two sacraments. The East has kept them united, so that Confirmation is conferred by the priest who baptizes. But he can do so only with the "myron" consecrated by a bishop.101
1291 A custom of the Roman Church facilitated the development of the Western practice: a double anointing with sacred chrism after Baptism. The first anointing of the neophyte on coming out of the baptismal bath was performed by the priest; it was completed by a second anointing on the forehead of the newly baptized by the bishop.102 The first anointing with sacred chrism, by the priest, has remained attached to the baptismal rite; it signifies the participation of the one baptized in the prophetic, priestly, and kingly offices of Christ. If Baptism is conferred on an adult, there is only one post-baptismal anointing, that of Confirmation. 1292 The practice of the Eastern Churches gives greater emphasis to the unity of Christian initiation. That of the Latin Church more clearly expresses the communion of the new Christian with the bishop as guarantor and servant of the unity, catholicity and apostolicity of his Church, and hence the connection with the apostolic origins of Christ's Church.

Catechism of the Catholic Church - PART 2 SECTION 2 CHAPTER 1 ARTICLE 2

Perhaps we are using different definitions of "confirmation?" The East certainly believes they are confirming infants.

 

[southdetroit]

The Orthodox tradition of Confirmation is somewhat different from the Catholic and Anglican traditions in its timing, but the basic idea is the same: a bishop seals a believer with the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Catholic and Orthodox churches don't accept the Anglican Confirmation as valid, as they believe that Anglican bishops are not part of the Apostolic succession; on the other hand, Anglicans accept that Catholic and Orthodox bishops are part of that succession and therefore that their Confirmations are valid. It's somewhat unfortunate that Orthodox children aren't given instruction before they receive the Holy Spirit, but their reasons for doing it make sense.
I don't see any possible circumstances where Anglican parents would request their baby be Confirmed.