Oblation or Obligation? A Canonical Ambiguity
John Doran
The practice of oblation, the giving children to a religious community be brought up and educated, is as old monasticism itself. Oblation was means by which parents were able dispose unwanted offspring fairly confident that they would cared for others. However, there never any clear guidelines laid down Church with respect confusion over status an oblate satisfactorily settled. Even great effort put into removing ambiguities in canon law twelfth thirteenth centuries failed clarify technicalities oblation. This because no agreement on nature oblation from start. Eastern best summed St Basil Great, his Regulae Fusius Tractatae . He took granted, noting child easily moulded life, stipulated minimum age at should received, but he did insist those under care their received before witnesses. More importantly, anxious questioned strictly when reached sixteen or seventeen whether wished professed. then had demonstrate perseverance life only professed after much pleading. final profession irrevocable. Clearly tradition favour children, not considered definitive act. Certainly we can see abbot have say came age. very spirit early monasticism. forced retain unsuitable monks monastery.
Studies in Church History