Chaput on Communion, and nasty e-mail

I'm waiting for the Catholic church to understand that it is the Body and Blood of Jesus on the altar. The priest presides, but it is still the Body and Blood of Jesus. Should we not do what Jesus did--when he enlarged the "tent" and included women and gentiles among his followers (Paul even went further). Therefore to insist on a particular "legal" understanding of what the Body and Blood of Christ is seems to fall into the trap that the Pharisees fell into about being so legalistic about the faith that they missed the point of it all. I'm not upset that when someone of a different faith shows up for communion--how to handle it. Perhaps it is the Holy Spirit reminding us of what Jesus tried to do to get the Jewish community to learn the rules, but not let the rules get in the way of true faithfulness.

Bishop Chaput is a putz. I'm a local Catholic i.e. I only believe in my local church, not the Cardinal or the Pope. I go to communion and support the woman's right to choose. I also believe all who follow the golden rule will go to heaven.

I left the Catholic church for over forty years after being molested by a priest.

The Church has a RIGHT to its beliefs. The folks who complain have a mindset where they expect the church to change its beliefs to their preferences.

I am very concerned with the recent arguments being offered that the only true catholic is a conservative one. I've only noticed it in the past year but it is really becoming quite pronounced. If the church wishes to draw a line in the sand then it better be prepared to close a lot more churches.

I thank God for Archbishop Chaput!

Patricia, it's not about "conservative" or "liberal," it's about what the Church teaches.

@Habakkuk: You propose to teach the Catholic Church about the Sacrament of the Altar? That's mind boggling! It is you, incidentally, in somehow finding a legalistic argument here, that thinks like a Pharisee. Jesus didn't have a "tent" at all; he offered Himself, and invited us to renounce our selves to become united with Him. The Catholic Church's view of the Body and Blood of Christ is ontological, not "legal." In the Body of Christ (the Eucharist), the Body of Christ (the Church) becomes ever more deeply and fully what She truly is. Those who reject Communion with the Body of Christ (the Church) while presuming Communion with Christ in the Body of Christ are at best deeply confused, and at worst blaspheming.

@Patricia: I fear your concern may ultimately prove rather self-serving, as it seems a rather slippery enterprise to try to define what a conservative Catholic may be - never mind what you think any alternatives may be. It seems to me instead that the arguments one hears these days are basically that the only "true" Catholic is simply a true one. I suspect nobody really cares whether or not you're "conservative" - whatever that might mean - but perhaps it is apropos to ask any self-defining Catholic whether or not she accepts the Catholic faith, no? Somehow, it seems that should matter. Jesus had more than a little to say, after all, about fickle "followers" who wouldn't follow, as well as about the necessity for His shepherds to properly guide the flock. But do I detect a post-Obama rationalization looking for a way to deflect an issue of faithfulness to the core moral doctrines of the Church into harmless political language that can be safely set at the doorstep of personal opinion? That would be a shame.

As a non-Catholic I occasionally find myself at Mass. I believe that the RC Mass is a valid eucharist and in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist - but it is 'the Supper of the Lord' not of the church and it is He who invites folk who need him to partake.

I admit that sometimes, particularly if I'm with Catholics who share the Bishop's opinion, then out of respect for their conscience (NOT out of respect for illegitimate rules!) I go forward for a blessing instead. Most Catholics, in my experience, do Not agree with the Bishop - and most priests would not seek to stop grieving relatives from taking communion just because they are non-Catholic(RC).

Hugh, I'm with you. Hang in there.

I think the issue here is, although Chaput may be wrong about a lot of things, the idea that Quinn went to Communion to "see what it was like" is almost a parody of the clueless disrespect that conservatives accuse liberals of...it's so selfish and immature.

I would rather see someone who took Communion and, as a Catholic, spit it into the face of the priest to protest---say their utter failure to protect children. To take Communion because TIm would have liked it is just bizarre.

Yes, Jesus did invite women and Gentiles to be his followers, and even to share is some of their banquets. But he only invited the 12 apostles to the one Eucharist he celebrated, the Last Supper. The problem with having a non-Catholic (like Sally Quinn) receive Communion is a conflict of language, verbal and bodily. When one receives communion, one's going forward toward the altar, and even more so, saying the word "Amen" after the priest or other minister says "the Body of Christ," says "yes, I believe, I agree, this is the Body of Christ.," sharing the same faith Tim Russert had. Does Ms. Quinn so believe? If so, she should be taking instructions to enter the Church. Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ is a profound commitment, not the same as "I wanted to do this for Tim," like rooting for the Buffalo Bills or buying a copy of 'Big Russ and me.'

A true Catholic is a conservative one, in the sense that a Catholic's (or any Christian, for that matter) main duty is to cherish, protect, preserve, conserve, the teachings of Jesus Christ handed down to the apostles and their successors the bishops. On the other hand, a true Catholic is also a liberal, in the sense that Jesus was a liberal, a liberator, a free-er, primarily of the greatest evils, sin and death, but also helping to liberate people from poverty, war, a sick environment, physical and mental illnesses, etc.

Hugh...

Find another church...there are so many to choose from but don't try to
change the Catholic Church...
Cafeteria Catholics are not Catholic at all...you are Christian...but not Catholic
Your comments are hilarious...there are 30,000 Christian Churches who
had the courage to split when they didn't agree with the magisterium
have some courage and leave...

FUZZY THINKING PEOPLE. The Church has not clearly taught its beliefs for a very long time, way to mushy, especially here in Massachusetts (or any liberal area, for that matter). The Church is a teacher and leader, and they have defaulted on both camps. The value of life is (or was) extremely important in the church. Now we have parish priests enthralled by the most anti-life president this country has ever produced.

While assisting families at Funeral Masses and it comes time for communion my procedure is to go over to the people and say to them "those of you receiving communion may go up now, if your not receiving today you may be seated." It is not my intent to embarass families, people or priests.

Chaput is a strange fellow, and apparently little in the way of pastoral work. I remember very clearly being in a catholic wedding party. The bride was catholic, the groom not. Members of the party alike mixed. The offciating priest, a fine chap, offered and encouraged the non members to recieve. They declined out of shyness.
Note I said non members, not non believers. For they all believed and were members of their own churches.

You know, when our children are little, we teach them not to spit at people; that that shows profound disrespect and hostility; and if we're smart, we teach them that spitting, at anyone or anything, says more about the person doing the spitting than it will ever say about the object of their vitriol. The idea of someone going to Communion and then spitting it at the priest as some kind of "protest" is exactly the kind of spoiled-brat temper tantrum that mature people would never dream of engaging in...not to mention that it's plain and simple sacrilege, and NOT on the part of the priest giving you that Body and Blood. No matter how "hypocritical" you choose to think the Church is, there is NO excuse for that kind of spoiled-brat sacrilege--and people who try to tell you that NOW, rather than you finding it out the hard way in eternity, are doing you a favor. Listen to them.

J,

Sadly what you say is true. The good news is there are still some parishes where the Truth of Jesus and His Church are spoken in it's entirety. I strongly urge you to attend Mass at St. Brendan in Bellingham, MA. Father Mullen and this wondeful parish will not dissapoint if clearly taught beliefs and truth are what you seek.

Peace and Blessings

wainwright peregrine,

The Church needs more Bishop Chaputs and less of Pastors offering non Catholics Communion. As the wonderful Bishop said he doesn't withhold Communion but he makes it clear non catholics should not receive.

When you say members of their own Chueches? Do you mean non Catholic Churches that don't believe that communion is actually the Body and Blood of Christ which is what most Protestant faiths teach?

Peace and Blessings

Roman Catholics who are in full communion with the Church of Rome, recognize the Bread and Wine, once consecrated by the priest, to be the Body and Blood of Jesus. Not a symbol of His Body and Blood.

We as practical, practicing catholics, celebrate the Last Supper every time we celebrate the Eucharist.

Jesus instituted The Eucharist, and founded the one true holy Roman Catholic Church. "This is my Body. This is my Blood."

As Holy Week approaches, let us pray for the unity Jesus prayed for in The Garden of Gethsemene. "May we be one as Jesus and His Father are One.

The Gates of Hell will not prevail against it. Take courage. Persevere.
Leave moral judgement to the members of the clergy who represent Jesus.

Remain steadfast to the teachings of Holy Mother Church. God Bless all

John, Chapter 6:

53 So Jesus told them, “Truly, I tell all of you with certainty, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life in yourselves. 54Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him to life on the last day, 55because my flesh is real[o] food, and my blood is real[p] drink. 56The person who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will also live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not the kind that your ancestors ate. They died, but the one who eats this bread will live forever.”

What is lost on the Protestant/evangelical community (starting with Martin Luther, is that Jesus himself states that his flesh was literally food "indeed", not symbolic. How do we know that? Because in this scripture, some of his disciples questioned him as to how one can "eat" his body and "drink" his blood.

They could not handle this teaching: (See John 6:66! - how incredible that is this verse, they rejected the Lord). They left him - he did not correct them and call them back, and say "Hey guys, you misunderstand..." He let them go.

The Real Presence has always been taught by the Church since Jesus. The Orthodox Christina Churches also recognize the real Presence in their valid consecration rite.

The Church also teaches (as does Paul in 1Corinthians) that one should not receive "unworthily", which also has been taught to mean that receiving means that one accepts the Church, believes in the Real Presence, and is not in moral sin. That is the issue. People like the phony abortion politicians (Pelosi, Kerry, Kennedy, et c) are so arrogant and thumb their noses at the Church and her admonitions on receiving.

Of course the Church is a "big tent". It is the Universal Church. All are welcomed no matter regarding one's race, gender, sexual orientation, or anything else. Her mission is solely to help people to teach, admonish, nurture, and provide the sacraments, all to helping people get to Heaven. It is not a democracy like many on this Board seem to want and/or believe, and certainly is not a place to inject one own philosophy as to what they think is should be. We pray for unity in the Church as to Her historical teaching and authority regarding faith and morals, in order to help nurture the faith among all the sinners in the Church, including parishioners, priests, bishops, and yes, the Pope (who goes to confession daily!)

"The gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church"

William and KJR,

Thank you for being wonderful examples of Catholics.

Archbishop Chaput's comments are entirely reasonable statements of what the Church teaches. The Eucharist belongs to those who share the Church's beliefs understanding of what Jesus taught about his Body and Blood.

Hugh-From your stated beliefs it appears you still haven't returned to the Catholic Church. It must make you feel great to be able to blame an erring priest from 40 years ago for your own errors. Good Luck!

The monarchist character of the Church leads to this juvenile misconception of the role of the government in a democratic republic.

There are all sorts of things I don't approve of that I don't believe the government should kick in doors and jail people for. There are things that are wrong that are not the government's business, because the rightful sphere of the government is much smaller than the rightful sphere of the Church.

I don't think they understand that in the clerical bureaucracy. I don't think they understand the concept of a limited government, because they come from a tradition in which the role of the government was seen as enforcing the will of God.

That's not what our government is supposed to do.

Someone wrote:
"Hugh...
Find another church...there are so many to choose from but don't try to
change the Catholic Church..."

I am profoundly grateful for those who changed the Church, and led it out of error. Would you have said the same to those who denounced the Inquisition? To Galileo?

You know, up until the 1800s, the Church didn't consider abortion prior to "quickening" - an arbitrary time period was chosen - to be a sin. Would you have denounced those who created the Church's modern position on this issue, changing it from the past?

proud2bcatholic
Catchy moniker there.
"When you say members of their own Chueches? Do you mean non Catholic Churches that don't believe that communion is actually the Body and Blood of Christ which is what most Protestant faiths teach?"
You are in error. Protestants do not believe "that communion is actually the Body and Blood of Christ " Luther denied this, every other protestant sect, and I include the radicals, followed him. It is consubstantion. Which is why they are protestant.

Recommend you rethink your moniker. Not many catholics would be proud of your post.

Actually, the beauty of the whole thing is that, fundamentally, the only approval anyone needs to receive communion is his or her own approval. Individuals most certainly do not need O'Malley's, Chaput's, the Pope's, or even KJR's approval. Imagine that - people who don't share the right wing political views of "the devout" receiving communion. And, for those who maintain that it's not a democracy - in the early days, bishops were elected by their communities. The church became a monarchy because authoritarians usurped powers to which they had no rights, a usurpation that continues to this very day. Do any of "the devout" really believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a monarchist by temperament?

ontheleft - I am humbled that you have elevated me and the substance of my posts to that of the Holy Father, but I, nor do you, have any teaching authority regarding faith and morals as do they. As between the two of us, I am the only one who recognizes this.

Mr, Mrs, and/or Ms. Peregrine,

Thanking you for giving my opportunity to clarify the obvious confusion of that awful sentence. I am clear on the fact most Protestant Churches teach that Communion is only a symbol and not the body, blood, sould, and divinity of Jesus Christ. The question I attempted to pose to you was why would Protestants or another non believers of transubstantiation want to receive at a Catholic Mass.

Ands please don't call me Monika!

I love you! may God bless you and yours.

Posted by Donna Casciano March 30, 09 07:45 AM

Donna, are you out of your mind? Did you bother to read his post before you started frothing at the mouth? I'll agree that Hugh certainly is a Christian, which is a hell of a lot more than can be said for you. What the hell makes you think that you have the right to tell anyone to leave? What kind of hubris gives you that impression? I'll say to you what I said above - no one needs your approval to be whatever they choose to be. If you don't like that - tough. You own the problem.

OntheLeft,

I agree with you to some degree but those whom receive the body and blood of Christ unworthily and/or in a state of mortal sin are committing an additional grave sin against God and will be held accountable. Many even weekly Mass going Catholics don't understand transubtantiation and many others are hardly living lives worthy to receive this holiest of Sacraments. In most cases (miracles of course do occur) only those whom believe and receive the Sacrament worthily receive the amazing transfoming power of this closest possible encounter with God while still of this world.

Peace and Blessings my friend.

KJR,

LOL, congats on your promotion.

Donna - great post. As you can see by ontheleft's hysterical reaction, there are many who self-appoint as the authority. He lacks no form of pride, and deems his word as more authoritative than 2000 years of Church history.

Your point is well taken... if you don't accept Church teaching, why not leave? It is not a democracy, and your inciteful post recognizes what Satan always tries to do: Undermine Church authority as it relates to faith and morals.

ontheleft thinks the Church should be run by its members, and based on relativistic and popular principles, but only if the doctrine is approved by him, of course, because, he thinks he knows more about the Catholic Church than the Margisterium. We need to double down our prayer for him

"Do any of "the devout" really believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a monarchist by temperament?"

LOL - You are joking, right? No, I'm sure He was just like you, pal.

"My kingdom is not of this world..." Your what? Oh, ummm... Oh, never mind.

"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand."

LOL

wow its really not that hard. The Eucharist is a gift not an entitlement. There are only two churches (Catholics and Orthodox) that believe the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus. It should be fairly obvious that if you don't believe that then you shouldn't receive. If you actually believe it then should be a member of one of those churches. How can someone say I believe that the Body and Blood of Jesus is present in the Catholic church but I am going to continue to be a Methodist and be in good conscience? In addition, if you believe that the Holy Spirit through the Church makes Christ present in the world through the Eucharist, how can you not believe that Holy Spirit makes Christ present through the Churches teachings!!

tz -

"How can someone say I believe that the Body and Blood of Jesus is present in the Catholic church but I am going to continue to be a Methodist and be in good conscience? In addition, if you believe that the Holy Spirit through the Church makes Christ present in the world through the Eucharist, how can you not believe that Holy Spirit makes Christ present through the Churches teachings!!"

That was my EXACT thought today. How can one believe it and stay away??

I have appreciated all comments regarding the receiving of Communion.
Please consider this, take the truth of transubstatiation (Christ's presence) and go one step further. Transubstatiate EVERYONE and EVERYTHING.
When you see Christ 's face in every face and in every thing (situation, emotion, etc) you have entered the kingdom where it is possible to catch a glimpse of God's love which is limitless, timeless, boundless, universal. Why leave that place to argue and judge and perpetuate division? There is only the One.

'OnTheLeft' asked "Do any of "the devout" really believe that Jesus of Nazareth was a monarchist by temperament?"

Actually, in the last lines of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus asserts his kingship over everything on heaven and earth. See here:

"And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world."

So, Jesus, having completed his mission on Earth, is granted by God the Father "all power in heaven and earth". He has brought into being the Kingdom of God, which he talks about so many times during his teachings, and He is King, the true king, and he brought a new law, and a new covenant between man and God, having fulfilled the old law.

I would like to add a couple of thoughts. First, according Margisterium and teachings of Holy Mother Church, the Catholic Church, transubtantiation ( the bead and wine being offered by the priest at Mass, turning into the Boday and Blood of Jesus Christ) can only take place through a validily ordained priest that has APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION. That is why only the Catholic and Orthodox Churchs have the real presence of Jesus in Holy Communion. Second, yes both Jesus and St.Paul (as stated in earlier posts) gives us instruction about rcv'ing Holy Communion, and we will live with our decision whether to rcv or not rcv Holy Communion for eternity.

Funny how he talks about Catholic-haters in his article and then you guys are good enough to give us a nice demonstration!
Killing babies is not following the Golden Rule, Mr. Hugh. And if you are a "local Catholic" then you are either going to a church that is not in communion with Rome and thus are no kind of Roman Catholic at all. Furthermore if you're going to a church that's in communion with Rome and taking this silly nonsense about being a "local Catholic" with you, you yourself are not in communion at that church and are, again, not in Communion with Rome and thus not a Roman Catholic! If you believe in Christian brotherhood you're catholic, not Roman Catholic.

And why do Evangelicals feel compelled to go on any article discussing Catholicism and try to educate us about the "real truth" about Jesus Christ so we'll leave the "Whore of Babylon Catholic Church"? As if they and their "Bible church" have done a better job than the world's top scholars over the past two thousand years. As if what their pastor told them over a couple Sundays is of more value than tens of thousands of man-years of diligent study!
Do what you tell everyone else to do Evangelicals...LIVE YOUR OWN FAITH!
(Lest you end up more like the secularists you and so many "Catholics" now look to for your marching orders.)

Bishop Chaput, I think you are right in your words about people receiving Holy Communion. I have family members going to Communion who are living in sin.
It hurts tremendously. My husband use to say that he was the only sinner in church because he was the only one who didn't go to Communion, but he had always believed in going to Confession before going to Communion and he would not or could not go, so he respected what he was taught and would not approach our Lord in the Euchrist. God did allow him to receive Extreme Unction before he died for which I am very grateful. .

Jesus said that giving scandal was an evil that deserved drowning in the sea.
The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ given for us on the Cross and raised from the dead. This is the living Heart of Christ! Pedophiles destroy a child's soul and abortion supporters destroy a child's body. So no Communion to open, unrepentant sinners such as active pedophiles OR baby killers.
No bishop, deacon, priest or server has the right to give God's Heart to someone who openly breaks it and leads people into the sin that tears His Heart in two.

The Catholic Church is not a Democracy. You don't vote your beliefs......or mold it to YOUR beliefs. Study Church history and the Catechism and attempt to mold yourself into a disciple.
"I believe x"...".I think y".........based on what?....YOUR feelings?...instant gratification?
Jesus tells us that satan and hell are real. Etenal life with God is the goal. Every hair on your head is counted. Feelings and desires are secondary......no one says that it's going to be easy....quite the contrary, if you believe Jesus.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
"I am the way and the truth and the life." John 14:6
"I am the bread of life." John 6:48
"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you." John 6:53
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day." John 6:54
"For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink." John 6:55

I am afraid that Mgr Chaput didn't clearly explain that being sorry and repent of one's sin isn't enough to take communion. One MUST go to confess his/her sins to a priest (so far as there is one available easily).
This the bishops have to much insist on since they cannot ignore the length of the lines to confession are very short when compared to those to communion.
I have the impression that they are afraid to say aloud before communion: "I remember the attendants that the Holy Communion is reserved to baptized and catechized catholic faithfuls who regularly confess their sins to a priest. I remember too that if one is conscious to be in a state of mortal sin must necessarily abstain from communion";
The priest who knowingly gives communion to unworthy, ignorant non catholic people, or to people whom he is aware they act against the Church's teachings , may be taken accountable of the wasting of Body & Blood of Jesus and of the souls of these persons.

If I am too harsh or if I am wrong, please kindly correct me.
Jacques

As Our Blessed Mother said before Jesus' first miracle, "do whatever He tells you."
Those that follow Jesus must also do whatever He tells us; not whatever we feel like. Obedience is at the root of it all! Adam and Eve disobeyed. Mary obeyed!
"Forgive them, Father, they know not what they do".
God bless you all and bring you into His care.

I'm creating a new religion based on blogs and robots....and sometimes elves.

Hey OnTheLeft, maybe I can help a little bit.

I wished that Archbishop Chaput's explanation for non-Catholics not receiving the Holy Eucharist was a little bit more expansive. Although he is right in his answer, I would have liked him to explain it a little more.

The Holy Eucharist is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and anyone who wishes to receive Him should be free from the stain of both mortal and venial sin. If you are not, then you commit a great sacrilege against the Lord because something sinful is touching something very holy. Therefore, only people who have been validly Baptized (to remove sin, both original and temporal sin) and, if need be, received the sacrament of Confession (to remove the stain of mortal sin) may receive The Eucharist.

This is why the Church says only Catholics who are not knowingly in the state of mortal sin should receive communion. Who can really say that they are worthy to receive the Eucharist? In fact, we even pray before receiving the Lord, "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed." Even the great saints would say they where not worthy to receive such a gift as the Eucharist. Remember, we all need great humility when presenting ourselves before the Lord.

Anyway, I hope this helps.

It is my opinion that there will always be people who are dissatisfied with what they are told in reference to the Catholic church.I am a practicing Catholic and love my church.Our pride is insulted when others tell us what to do,but remember , it was pride that caused us to be cast out of Eden.Where will it take us now?

God bless Archbishop Chaput , and all others like him, who have the grace and courage to "be not afraid" of speaking the truth of God's church! On this, the fourth anniversary of the death of John Paul II, may his intercession for those shepards who are actually faithful and good be strong before the throne of God! For those who have been given authority, but do not give God his proper place in their lives and "ministries" ... may God be merciful! We love you JPII, please pray for us!
"Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy on us and on the entire world."

I love the way our parish invites everyone in the church to the alter. Just before communion our priest simply asks that those not recieving communion come to the alter with their arms crosses over their chest so that they can recieve a blessing from the priest or EME. Beautiful!

#8 ralston,

You are disgusting.

Truly vile.

#7,

The Eucharist is not, "the supper of the Lord."

It is the Body and Blood of Jesus, present in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Keep your erroneous Protestant interpretations for your own church.

MAKE YOUR OWN RULES CATHOLICS ARE A REAL LOST CAUSE. ADOLF HITLER WAS A MAKE YOUR OWN RULES ROTTEN FALLEN AWAY CATHOLIC. MOST PEOPLE KNOW HOW HE ENDED UP. HELL IS STILL A REAL PLACE. SOULS ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN THEY GET THERE. OH TO GET TO HELL YOU MAKE YOUR OWN RULES. YOU CAN BE YOUR OWN POPE OR BISHOP THERE. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS FOUNDED BY JESUS CHRIST TRUE GOD TRUE MAN. LOOK IT UP IN ANY WORLD ALMANAC JUST FACTS THERE. PLEASE GOD WAKE THE WORLD UP ANY WAY YOU HAVE TO DO IT.

For a priest knowingly to offer the Eucharist to a non-believer or someone in open rebellion against Christ's teachings as explained by the Magisterium is the equivalent of a lawyer recommending that his client commit perjury in court.

Yes, this is legalese, but Christ came to fulfill the law, now to destroy it.

For those whom do not know the Catholic faith or the Catholic Church. Please stop assuming things. I suggest if you truly from your heart want to know Christ and his Church, the best person to guide you is the Pope. I am sure you will be satisfied with the answers you receive from him.

Another thing to bear in mind is the Catholic Church, should not be put down just for the sake of a few bad priest. Are you aware that these priest need prayers as there is no Resurrection for them as they knowingly committed this sin. And if they do not confess this sin and die with it they go to Hell.

When you disrespect the Eucharist, you are disrespecting Christ and his precious blood. Every Mass offered is Calvery once again. Each time Mass is offered wether by a good priest or a bad one Jesus dies on the cross.

I request all those who say these terrible things, Please, please stop immediately. When you look at Christ on the Cross, stop and think how much God loved each and every one of us that he let his only begotten son suffer for our sins so that we all human being are washed in his blood to return to Our Heavely Father.

May God forgive you for not knowing what you are doing and saying in your Ignorance.

Okay, so Bishop Chaput says that non-Catholics and pro-abortion politicians and the like should not receive communion. But then if they present themselves, he will give it to them anyway so as not to embarass anyone. (Am I interpreting his position right?) So what is the problem? If you want it, go. If I tell my kids not to jump on the bed, and then don't do anything to stop them, my words mean nothing. Actions speak louder than words. And when the Pope gives communion to Pelosi et al, it basically screams. That is why the Church is in trouble.

Thank you for your leadership Archbishop Charles. My understanding is that the Church has always taught the true, absolute Presence and Substance of Jesus Body and Blood in Holy Communion. Anyone who comes to Communion NOT believing this may be treating Our Lord with disrespect and dishonour. Receiving Communion is not about us but all about Jesus. Even Paul said that anyone coming to receive His Body and Blood without due honour would be bringing destruction on themselves. Isn't it our duty to deny Communion to those who do not believe as we do.

The evil one presents himself in many forms of humanity. Let us pray for true conversion of the hardness of hearts among us and for strong leadership in the church to overcome the many wimps who hold authoritative postion and for the "so called Catholic" politicians.
Thank you, Bishop Chaput, Archbishop Burke, and others.
Mother Mary, please help us.

"Should we not do what Jesus did--when he enlarged the "tent" and included women and gentiles among his followers (Paul even went further). Therefore to insist on a particular 'legal' understanding of what the Body and Blood of Christ is seems to fall into the trap that the Pharisees fell into about being so legalistic about the faith that they missed the point of it all."

Women had always been part of Jesus, the Christ's, disciples and followers. As for gentiles, they weren't accepted until St. Peter, the rock on which the Lord built His Church, argued their case, after being inspired by the Holy Spirit, at one of earliest recorded Councils of the Church in Jerusalem.

The "legal" understanding of "what Body and Blood of Christ is" is the understanding we have received from Jesus, the Christ, Himself. This "understanding" caused one of the earliest schisms between Jesus, the Christ, and His followers, and it occurred just after the miracle of the "Loafs and Fishes". Many of His disciples could not handle His teaching that: ""He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." (See John 6.) Those disciples left Him in droves, and even His Apostles were uncomfortable with this teaching. It led, one, Judas, to finally betray Him.

After Jesus, the Christ's, death and resurrection, His disciples received the Holy Spirit, which made His teaching in John 6 and at the Last Supper clear to them.

From earliest writings of the Church it was clear that the "legal" understanding of the Communion was special and those who were not "fully accepted" into the Church were asked to leave the room where the Bread was broken and received.

In the Didache, dated as written in the late 1st or early 2nd Century, states:
Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord's Day. But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: "In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations."

The whole concept of the word, Communion, is that recipient is in "Communion" with the Church.

I can' t really fathom the argument here. If you don't believe what the Church teaches � that the consecrated bread and wine are the body and blood of Christ � why would you want to participate in a ceremony that is ridiculous at best and a sacrilege at worst? If you do believe what the Church teaches � that its priests have the power and authority to transform bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ � why aren't you a Catholic? To deny and participate and to believe and not join are equally illogical.

In response to #23 Joe from Lowell

CCC 2271 "Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable."
"You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish." Didache

I think you need to invest in a Catechism and get your facts straight.
Faithful Catholics let the Church change them- they do not try to change the Church. Let's leave that up to the Holy Spirit.

I chose to leave the Church recently over the current American Inquisition. You are all a bunch of NUTS.

It would be good if those who are not accepting of all the truth of the Catholic Catechism would just move on. Our Catholic Church would be smaller in numbers but stronger in faith and would grow and become One.