Age of reason (canon law)
Encyclopedia
In the Roman Catholic Church
, 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, 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 sin
s: 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, and Holy Communion may be administered to children only if
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, the age of reason
Reason
Reason is a term that refers to the capacity human beings have to make sense of things, to establish and verify facts, and to change or justify practices, institutions, and beliefs. It is closely associated with such characteristically human activities as philosophy, science, language, ...
, also called the age of discretion, is the age
Ageing
Ageing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
at which children become capable of moral responsibility
Moral responsibility
Moral responsibility usually refers to the idea that a person has moral obligations in certain situations. Disobeying moral obligations, then, becomes grounds for justified punishment. Deciding what justifies punishment, if anything, is a principle concern of ethics.People who have moral...
. On completion of the seventh year a minor
Minor (law)
In law, a minor is a person under a certain age — the age of majority — which legally demarcates childhood from adulthood; the age depends upon jurisdiction and application, but is typically 18...
is presumed to have the use of reason, but mental retardation
Mental retardation
Mental retardation is a generalized disorder appearing before adulthood, characterized by significantly impaired cognitive functioning and deficits in two or more adaptive behaviors...
or insanity
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
could prevent some individuals from ever reaching it. Children under the age of reason and the mentally handicapped are sometimes called "innocents
Innocence
Innocence is a term used to indicate a lack of guilt, with respect to any kind of crime, sin, or wrongdoing. In a legal context, innocence refers to the lack of legal guilt of an individual, with respect to a crime.-Symbolism:...
" because of their inability to commit sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
s: even if their actions are objectively sinful, they sometimes lack capacity for subjective guilt
Guilt
Guilt is the state of being responsible for the commission of an offense. It is also a cognitive or an emotional experience that occurs when a person realizes or believes—accurately or not—that he or she has violated a moral standard, and bears significant responsibility for that...
.
While in the Eastern Churches Confirmation (also known as Chrismation
Chrismation
Chrismation is the name given in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches, as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East, Anglican, and in Lutheran initiation rites, to the Sacrament or Sacred Mystery more commonly known in the West as confirmation, although Italian...
) and Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
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, and Holy Communion may be administered to children only if