Religious Celebrations, Tradition and Children's Rights

This study examines the intersection of religious practices and children's rights in Flores, Indonesia, with a focus on the Catholic Church's administration of the sacrament of First Communion. The research investigates how the Church's escalating financial demands for receiving the sacrament, combined with the community's extravagant and costly celebratory customs, disproportionately affect impoverished families. These practices not only contravene the principle of grace within Catholic doctrine where sacraments are intended as free gifts but also divert essential resources from children's education and well-being. Rather than offering solutions to support poor families and protect children's rights, the Church appears to prioritize its own interests by expecting financial contributions from those least able to afford them. This study calls for a critical re-evaluation of religious and cultural practices in Flores to ensure that the rights and well-being of children are prioritized within the context of religious observance.