Glance As Some Catholic Proposals

VATICAN CITY - Bishops from around the world approved 50 recommendations for the pope to consider in a future document. Here is a look at some of the proposals: ___

"The nature of matrimony demands that man is bound definitively to a sole woman and vice versa. In this context, the polygamists who open themselves to the Christian faith should be helped to integrate their human project in the newness and radicalness of Christ's message." The proposal asks for Christ to reach them and "call them to the renunciations and breaks necessary for Communion" and says the church should "accompany them in the meantime with pastoral care full of kindness and firmness."

The synod encourages "greater inculturation" in Masses, but bishops should favor a "just balance between the existing criteria and directives and the new adaptations."

The synod recognizes that radio, television and the Internet can help those who cannot participate in Mass because they are too old or sick: "Media can also reach those baptized but estranged, and even nonbelievers." But the synod recommends that such televised celebrations be held in "worthy and appropriate places, which have been properly set up. It should be remembered that in normal circumstances physical presence is necessary and it is not enough to follow the rite through the media."

"In our pluralistic and multicultural society it is good that the significance of Holy Communion be explained also to those not baptized. ... who are present at Mass for example for a baptism, confirmation, First Communion or funeral. ... It should also be explained to them in a delicate but clear way that the fact they may not receive Communion is not a lack of respect in their regard."

The synod suggests that Latin be used during international gatherings "to better express the unity and universality of the Church."

Mentally disabled people have a right to Communion, even if their ability to understand it cannot be proven.

"These faithful must be welcomed as members of the same body of Christ, no matter what their race, status or condition might be, especially in the Eucharistic celebrations. The charity of Christ urges the other local Churches ...to generously help the dioceses that take in a large number of immigrants."

Looks good! I wasn't aware they had discussed polygamy, but I'm glad they did - IIRC, one of the African bishops suggested that it be permitted. This would be insane and would contravene the entire Christian understanding of marriage and personhood, in addition to rendering meaningless most of the traditional imagery of the Bride and the Bridegroom (referring to the Church and her Spouse).

"On inculturation, or using local customs in Mass:

The synod encourages "greater inculturation" in Masses, but bishops should favor a "just balance between the existing criteria and directives and the new adaptations."

As an outsider, I can't say as I think this is a good idea at all. In this day and age, the danger of syncretism is high, something the Latin Church in Central and South America is riddled with. It might have been a good idea once upon a time, but now such talk is more political, and politically correct than theological and spiritual.

"On Eucharist and the mentally disabled:

Mentally disabled people have a right to Communion, even if their ability to understand it cannot be proven."

As many of you know, our youngest son, now 22, was born with Down Syndrome. He goes to communion every Sunday. We have friends, formerly Latin Catholics, who had a child with Down Syndrome at about the same time. This Latin diocese refused to create a "CCD" program for the child and refused to arrange for a First Communion because, "He doesn't understand and doesn't need it anyway." This, by the way, from the then bishop himself. They left the Latin Church with a loathing that is truly incredible. Its about time something was done about this!

My son is in a special ed CDC class with a down syndrome classmate and at some point they will receive communion when the teacher thinks they gave reached understanding. It seems your friend's problem was not a doctrinal one, but one of being part of the wrong parish.

"It seems your friend's problem was not a doctrinal one, but one of being part of the wrong parish."

Wrong diocese too; but to be fair, this was 15 years ago or so. By the way, you mention that the priest will decide when these kids can receive communion by determining if they "understand". What if they never do? And does the Latin Church likewise deny the sacraments to confused old people?

"Therefore with fullest assurance let us partake as of the Body and Blood of Christ: for in the figure of Bread is given to thee His Body, and in the figure of Wine His Blood; that thou by partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, mightest be made of the same body and the same blood with Him. For thus we come to bear Christ in us, because His Body and Blood are diffused through our members; thus it is that, according to the blessed Peter, we become partaker of the divine nature. [2 Peter 1:4] " +Cyril of Jerusalem

The spiritual arrogance of any priest or bishop presuming to deny the Body and Blood to individuals because they, apparently unlike such a priest or bishop who fully "understands" the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist, "do not understand" is not just astonishing, it is an abomination! Tell me, what do these Latin priests have to say to their Eastern Rite brothers who give communion to babies at their baptism?

No, it is the Sunday school teacher who will decide when the children can be presented to the priests as prepared to take the sacrament. I support her. I believe any child can reach a state of grace through loving education and preparation. This teacher is good and has trained other handicapped, downs and autistic children.

And yes, the Catholic church denies communion to some people. Like me, a Protestant not converted.

The literature I received from the Parish indicates the church has the ability to use discretion in who partakes in the Catholic eucharist under some circumstances, which I am sure it would and does in the case of mentally disabled and ailing Catholics. As it did with Terri Schiavo.

"No, it is the Sunday school teacher who will decide when the children can be presented to the priests as prepared to take the sacrament."

My God, that's even worse! As for denying the Eucharist to persons who have not been received into the Church, that's the way it has always been in The Church, with reason. I am assuming, however, that the children with mental retardation who are denied communion simply because, I guess, some lay Sunday School teacher doesn't think they are "ready", are baptized members of The Church and far more likely to be in a "state of grace" than their non-retarded fellows.

Infants do not take communion, neither do any children in the parish who have not received the appropriate instruction about what they are receiving. I support the teacher's optimism about achieving a spiritual awareness of the meaning of the eucharist in my son and her track record of providing appropriate religious education to handicapped kids, including teaching an autistic child under the table for two years before the child was able to be part of the communion service. If I did not, I could take my kids to the Methodist church and let them line up for bread and grape juice with absolutely no awareness of why.

Good luck to you in your own beliefs and church of choice.

"Infants do not take communion, neither do any children in the parish who have not received the appropriate instruction about what they are receiving."

They do in the Eastern Rite Churches in communion with Rome, of course there it isn't lay catechism teachers who decide who does and does not get to receive the sacraments. Frankly, I think what this teacher is doing, apparently with the approval at least of the parish priest and perhaps even of the diocese is at a minimum unfortunate and at a maximum, downright heretical as a denial of the grace of the sacrament. What does intellectual, physical understanding have to do with theosis by the grace of God imparted through the Mystery of the Eucharist, or any other sacrament for that matter?

As for a piece of bread and grape juice at the Methodist Church, well, that simply isn't the Eucharist and so far as I can see, doesn't pretend to be.

"Infants do not take communion..."

Canon 710 - With respect to the participation of infants in the Divine Eucharist after baptism and chrismation with holy myron, the prescriptions of the liturgical books of each Church sui iuris are to be observed with suitable due precautions.

From the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, promulgated by the authority of Pope John Paul II, 1990.

Since 1910 it has been the practice of the Latin Church to give Communion to children from the age of seven (see decree Quam singulari, Aug 8, 1910). The ancient custom of giving Communion to infants had largely ceased in the West by the 12th century, but it is still maintained in Eastern Churches. The Council of Trent decreed that it is not necessary to give the Eucharist to children before they have reached the age of discretion, but it did not condemn the practice (see Session XXI, Decr de comm., canon 4).
From The Code of Canon Law: A text and commentary, Canon Law Society of America, 1985.

No charge for the clue.

If you think this was a kindly way to educate someone (who is not yet Catholic) about the Catholic faith, then I too, have a clue for you....

As I said, the practices of my future parish as they have been given to me say that children must be baptized and should be educated in the sacraments and aware of the meaning before they participate.

But thank you for being so kind and helpful.

Sorry for burning your tender buds with my inflammatory nukulur rhetoric. I'm from Texas.

In my opinion, anyone so ignorant as to deny Holy Communion to someone with Down Syndrome should be run out of Church on a rail [see, O Brother Where Art Thou?]. Anyone so ignorant as to agree that such denial is a good idea should be submitted to immediate, radical and severe clue insertion.

"Infants do not take communion, neither do any children in the parish who have not received the appropriate instruction about what they are receiving."

In the western (Roman) Catholic church this is true. It is not true in the bulk of the eastern Catholic churches. In my church, infants are Baptised, Chrismated (confirmed) and given first Eucharist at the same time.

The points of emphasis of the eastern Catholic churches are different than that of the western Catholic church. This is clearly one of those areas where the eastern and western perspectives differ. The eastern point of view sees the Mysteries (Sacraments) more from a gift perspective than as a right that is to be earned.

In my personal opinion, the eastern Catholic churches are correct on this. But then again, you'd probably guess that given that I'm going to an eastern Catholic church :-)

As for a Sunday school teacher being qualiifed to be the arbiter of who should and should not receive first Eucharist. I guess I'll have to add this to the list of innovations that I disagree with my Roman Catholic bretheren about.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.