PR and religion

My 8 year old attends a catholic school as her father insisted. He now wants her to take
her holy communion. She doesn't want to and I am not a catholic and would prefer it if she didn't.He has told her she will absolutely have to do it.

Where do I stand if I write to the priest advising him that I do not give my permission for her to do it. Her father will obviously take out a specific issue order but will I have a leg to stand on? She doesn't believe in God and she doesn't want to spend Sat mornings praying to a god she doesn't believe in.

An athiest 8 year old! Am surprised, they grow so quickly these days.

Your right it would be a specific issues order. Although it would be a failure for you both as parents if a Judge needed to decide the issue.

Holy Communion is the second step, did you have your daughter baptised a member of the Catholic Church, and did you agree at that time to raise her as a catholic, if so then I can see why your husband feels that should be honoured, and of course, as her parents you are required by the church to be responsible for her spiritual upbringing, this may not be a cincern to you but it might be a serious issue for him.

If your daughter has not taken the communion and something (god forbid) should happen to her is your husband concerned about her spiritual ascention to heaven?

Having said that I don't see that he can "make" her. She will have to go to classes and prep etc, if she doesn't believe or want the communion she can say so with your blessing. Obviously you won't want her arguing theology with the priest (just yet!!.

Can you not tell your husband that neither you nor your daughter wish for her to take communion, but if she changes her mind you will agree to it or if she reaches 16 then obviously she can go through the "Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults".

I am not a member of any particular religion but I understand the importance of these rites and ceremonies to people who are.