Godność sakramentu bierzmowania „na drodze” do małżeństwa. Nakaz czy dojrzała decyzja wiary? Kontekst prawno-teologiczny

Abstract

The present article relates to the provisions of the Code of Canon Law (1065 § 1) which requires the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation by Catholics who want to enter into marriage. The article is based on open questions - maneat questio - about the content of this regulation It does not provide definitive answers, but serves as a starting point for the necessary scholarly debate and thus for good pastoral solutions. It reveals a close connection between canonology and practical theology. The former becomes the source of the latter’s solutions. The first part of the article presents the evolution of regulations in both universal and particular canon law as well as canonical and theological attempts to provide a rationale for said regulation. It also points out certain dangers related to the application of canon 1065 § 1 to particular cases. The second part of the article, which results from the questions raised in the first part, relates directly to the opinion of canonists and theologians who attempt to justify adopting a broad spectrum of age for Confirmation candidates.