Factum Non Dictum

Or in English, talk is cheap. So I've written to the diocesan Tribunal--those folks who handle annulment cases, but can apparently answer questions about canon law for laity on other matters--and asked for clarification on Canon 793 (see posts below) in relation to a diocese or parish requiring CCD classes and particular textbooks for children not enrolled in a parochial school. The letter (e-mail really) is addressed to the Judicial Vicar of the diocese.

Dear Father -------,

On behalf of myself and other interested parents of the diocese, I would be grateful for replies to the following brief questions.

Canon 793 specifies that "Catholic parents have also the duty and the right to choose those means and institutions through which they can provide more suitably for the Catholic education of their children according to local circumstances."

1. Do Catholic parents as a general matter have the right to choose not to make use of particular educational materials and/or classes, if in the parents' best judgment such materials and classes do not provide suitably for the Catholic education of their children, and the parents provide for the Catholic education of their children in some other way?

2. May a parish or diocese require Catholic parents to enroll their children in a class which, in the parents' best judgment, does not provide suitably for the Catholic education of their children, particularly if only a single option is made available to the parents?

3. May children be refused the sacraments of Communion, Confession, and/or Confirmation if their parents do not enroll them in a class as in (2), but provide their children a suitable Catholic education in some other manner?

4. May a parish or diocese require Catholic parents to educate their children using a particular textbook chosen by the parish, one which in the parents' best judgment does not provide suitably for the Catholic education of their children?

5. May a parish or diocese require Catholic parents to educate their children by choosing from a limited list of textbooks, none of which in the parents' best judgment provides suitably for the Catholic education of their children?

6. May children be refused sacraments if their parents do not use the particular textbook, or one of the list of textbooks, required by the parish or diocese as in (4) and (5), but provide their children a suitable Catholic education in some other manner?

Please note that I am not inquiring whether a diocese or parish is required to provide additional educational options; but only whether parents are forbidden from refusing to make use of materials and classes which they deem unsuitable, if they are able to provide a suitable Catholic education through other means.

Thank you for your time and attention, Father.

Yours,
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So now I wait.