Posted on 08/12/2004 10:41:10 AM PDT by sidewalk
BRIELLE, N.J. -- An 8-year-old girl who suffers from a rare digestive disorder and cannot consume wheat has had her first Holy Communion declared invalid because the wafer contained none, violating Catholic doctrine. Now, Haley Waldman's mother is pushing the Diocese of Trenton and the Vatican to make an exception, saying the girl's condition _ celiac sprue disease _ should not exclude her from participating in the sacrament, in which Roman Catholics eat consecrated wheat-based wafers to commemorate the last supper of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
I feel for this family but I don't understand why the child doesn't just take a sip of wine. It's like this huge victim thing.
Orthodox Catholic ping! What does one do in this case? Is her digestive problem so bad that she couldn't receive a small particle of Holy Communion, since that is still the Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ?
Stupid church dogma rules that have nothing to do with our Savior.
Stupid you say? What did Christ Himself use?
i know several kids with this type of disorder and it is literally fatal for them to consume wheat products. Both boys are permitted to have a sip of wine, though that is not distributed to the communicants at large in our church.
rather you should ask "Is the church dogma so ridiculous that they really have to ask such a question? i.e. where in the bible is 'wheat' the only way to receive communion?"
I don't get it. Thru TransSubstantiation, the priest changes the wafer & wine into the actual body & blood of Christ, according to Church teachings.
The actual body and blood of Christ didn't contain wheat then. Why should it now?
Considering the special circumstances here, I'm stunned that they'd rather invalidate the actions of a small child rather than do what God would want them to.
As if God cares about wheatless wafers. Sheesh!
ping
Thankfully Jesus Christ will not shoo her away. If she has accepted Him as her Savior there is nothing this man made church can do to stop that relationship from flourishing.
It's very possible. Peanuts or smelling peanuts can shut down the lungs of a kid. It is startling what kids are allergic too and can't eat.
Geez, considering that they have for all intents and purposes invalidated the mass with VII, they sure have picked an odd point to make a theological stand.
Man-made you say? If your Protestant or any of the derived churches, your church didn't start until the 15th century. The Catholic church was founded by Christ.
"Is her digestive problem so bad that she couldn't receive a small particle of Holy Communion, "
Yes, according to the article.
This is also not the first time this has occurred, according to the article.
Agreed!
Men don't decide if I'm forgiven for my sins or not and Jesus has never absolved me by having me kiss some beads or say some 'hail Marys' either.
Sorry Catholics, my relationship is between me and my Lord, not thru some hiearchy of robed 'holy' men.
Of course. The Church could also make an exception, since the matter for the Eucharist is Church law.
Ah, a modern day 'pharasee' question ...
so, anyone who can't eat wheat products or consume wine cannot have communion with our Lord?
You sound just like the pharasses trying to trap Jesus to enforce the letter of the law rather than the intent of the law ...
What is the intent of 'communion', i.e. breaking break with our Saviour? To remember Him. For anyone to insist that one can only do that with a wheat product is rediculously missing Christs message. Is this church also insisting that only wine is drunk for communion? I would have to imagine.
It's no big deal. The only way it would be a big deal would be if his parents made him feel like a freak instead of a faithful Catholic doing what he has to do.
Yet they allow pro-abortion politicans and RC unfaithful to receive and not this little girl with a medical condition? This just blows my mind.
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