I have to say, as a teacher of a Confirmation prep class, I can truly see the wisdom of what Bishop Aquila is saying. By their high school years, I see too many kids getting into the negative attitudes that permeate the modern high school, and they are so busy with sports programs, homework, etc, that the classes seem to them, and their parents, to be an imposition on their lives.
Years ago, I had a big discussion, in a Parish Council meeting, with the nun who was the DRE, about the age for reception of First Penance. She had constructed program to have First Communion in the second grade, and First Penance in the fourth. I said that Canon Law directs First Penance BEFORE First Communion, and she trotted out the old "parents decide when their child is ready" argument. I told her that Canon Law does say that the parents decide when the child is ready for Communion, but that the Sacrament of Penance must come BEFORE Communion. She ignored that regularly, because she had so many helicopter parents worried that their kids were 'nervous' about the idea of Penance, and wanted to delay it, because they didn't their kids could 'understand' the Sacrament of Penance. That argument has always amused me because I guess they think their kid can understand the concept of Transubstantiation, but can't understand "I'm sorry, please forgive me". Silly. I, and another woman who taught Rel. Ed. programs mentioned the fact that when the kids are in the second grade, they still have that bit of innocence about them that helps them accept the religious teaching, but that by fourth grade, you can see the attitudes start developing that make them more resistant.
Preparing kids for Confirmation in Second grade, then Penance and Communion in the Third grade, might give the kids that good foundation on which to build their lives, and the Rel. Ed. program can spend the subsequent years fleshing out the teachings of the Church as their understanding increases.
Knowing kids like I do, I’d say 12 is the oldest I’d wait if I had the choice.
I’ve taught 3 confirmation classes and most were only there for their parents. I have been a sponsor for a few confirmandi and most of the kids are more concerned about their clothes than the actual confirmation.
They are so excited about their faith when they are young, I remember, I was a kid once and I remember my confirmation in the Methodist church at 12, I was still passionate about God but soon the world intruded and though I never lost my faith, I got far from God many times.
I have also seen 2 kids that I would have loved to kick out of my class because of their behavior and anti-Catholic beliefs but I just kept teaching and I swear after confirmation they both literally changed almost overnight.