Refusing the sacraments is one of the most difficult things a Priest has to do. He finds himself in a moral dilemma. Should a Priest deprive a person a sacrament just because they do not practice the faith? .
Firstly Baptism, which is described as the beginning of a journey with Jesus, the child should not begin this journey if there is no hope of them finishing it. If however, these children as adults feel that they want to join the faith community, they can be baptised as adults. Furthermore, example is the best teacher, how would children be able to learn what is right and wrong when they have no one to show or correct them. Parents must fully understand the seriousness of this baptismal commitment otherwise they would be making a mockery of the sacraments religious importance. Moreover, if a Priest refused parents the right to have their child baptised they could turn bitter towards religion, and their relationship with God could be tarnished even further.
On the other hand, parents are not alone in the responsibility to bring up the child in the Christian community, the God parents, the school; and the community have input into the child's faith. Furthermore, as the child grows in faith and makes other sacraments like First Holy Communion the parents may too find their faith and be drawn back into the Church.
The next sacrament is Confession. Generally, when one decides to celebrate this sacrament they are older, and can be repeated throughout ones life. An example of when a Priest might refuse this sacrament is when someone has confessed but is not sincerely sorry or in repentance for their sins. Also, if it is clear that the person is unwilling to change their ways, for example people who are having affairs and are unwilling to give up their relationship with the other person, or members of paramilitary organisations a Priest can refuse absolution.
