How would you address the problem of apathetic parents expecting the Church to educate their children and adminster Sacraments with no committment to follow through with Mass attendence?
He SPECIFICALLY told others to allow the children to come to him and not interfere.
Do you think the pastor did this in order to drive children away?
SD
First of all, as I pointed out, certainly he has no way of knowing if that is true of all the parents. Having said that,,,I'll answer with some questions to illustrate a point,,,Do you think the Pastor's approach is the only one? Can you think of any other approaches? Do you think all priests with this problem agree with his actions?
In the past, Priests have talked to parents directly, it is only one suggestion that they do so again. Or send them a personal letter. Or even a form letter would be better IMO. Or address it in Mass. Or in the bulletin. Or perhaps a warning that something like this could be a possible solution. Just a few suggestions. I bet you could think of more.
Do you think the pastor did this in order to drive children away?
I think that the "law of unintended concequences" applies. The result is predictable and actually part of his plan to "punish/persuade" the parents to be better Catholics.