Quote from: TKGS

Quote from: Guest

OP here--just to give further clarification the boy has been serving for over a year and priests involved are fully aware of the circuмstances with the parents.  They never said anything about it to anyone.

My concern is that when bio-dad comes to Mass the laity will quickly become aware become scandalized and try to drive the family away or mistreat the boy.

The boy has told his parents that if he is barred from serving he will not be upset--he's more concerned with his father's conversion.

Is this really a well-founded fear on your part?  Are the people at this chapel so crass that they would "drive the family away", risking their salvation, or "mistreat the boy"?

I know well the people at two traditional chapels and this issue wouldn't even have been thought.  In fact, one of the alter boys at one chapel was adopted by his parents.  I have absolutely no idea what his biological parentage situation is nor do I (or anyone else, as far as I know) care.  He is a very good altar boy.

Frankly, I wonder why you think the people at this chapel will react the way you fear, especially since the priest apparently knows the situation and has no problem with it.

Because the poor mother was told last year by someone that the parentage issue would prevent reception of sacraments  and that perhaps she should live a life of penance hidden from the world.  I am related to all parties involved and I was just wondering how to respond to these people that take it upon themselves to condemn others.

Then talk to the priest about it.

One thing you should take into account, this is a traditional Catholic community you are talking about and traditionalists do not have many options so they are going to feel territorial or threatened by transgression.

Also, traditional communities are always going to attract the weirdos in addition to the holy.

As for this thread, the OP asked for opinions, the comments here were solicited so now one can see the degrees of response and opinions in this matter.

It would probably be better not to respond to people you consider to be condemning others, you only see these people at most once a week or month, so just sit on the other side of the aisle.