Q: This is a Question about a young girl and first penance.
We have a grade 2 girl who chooses to not speak.She’ll speak at home – but nowhere else, the mom says. I believe the sacrament calls for the penitent to speak their sins, etc (unless one is dear, mute, or other).Rather than assuming, I thought I’d ask your insight about how to address this with the parent, child, and circumstances.
Thank you and Blessings,Hope you are warm, safe, and well.
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A: The USCCB has addressed this situation in its treatment on sacraments for persons with disabilities: https://www.usccb.org/committees/divine-worship/policies/guidelines-sacraments-persons-with-disabilities
See paragraph 29.
Blessings on you and that little girl and her family.