Massgoer in Eucharist Incident Restrained [Demands Communion in Hand]

Irish Times ^ | 9/16/10 | Tom Shiel

[marshmallow]

A MASSGOER who objected to receiving the Eucharist on his tongue at a Latin Mass in Co Mayo had to be restrained when his protests led to a scuffle in the church. The incident at Knock Shrine was described by the Latin Mass Society of Ireland as "sad" and "disturbing".

It occurred when a man approached the altar of the parish church and insisted he get communion in his hand rather than on the tongue.

Fr Wulfran Lebocq, who was assisting on the altar, quietly told the communicant to take communion on his tongue. This is in accordance with the traditional Latin rite.

According to onlookers, the communicant told the priest: "You're in Ireland now".

Before being restrained, the communicant grabbed a host from the ciborium, and in the process the host fell on the floor.

According to Peadar Laighléis, president of the Latin Mass Society of Ireland, the man had to be escorted into the sacristy to "restrain him from causing another scene in the church".

The man protested that he was being held against his will. He was informed he was free to leave but not to return to the church.

A spokesman for the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary, said the archdiocese had been informed of the incident which occurred during the annual pilgrimage of the Latin Mass Society of Ireland to Knock on September 4th.

Describing the incident as "somewhat unfortunate", the spokesman added it had occurred "spontaneously".

[ClearCase_guy]

A lot of people are hung up on the “My will be done” concept. Maybe it’s not all about what you want.

[CharlesWayneCT]

I’m not a Catholic, and we normally pass the eucharist down our aisles and rip off the bread ourselves.

But if someone told me to take bread on my tongue, I’d do it. I can’t imagine starting a fight over it.

[miss marmelstein]

I’m a lapsed Catholic who can’t stand the modern rituals of the church - like handing the host to a communicant like it was a necko wafer.

But my question is: do you still have to be in the state of grace to receive communion? ‘Cause this guy seems like he needs to do a little confessin’.

[Oratam]

the communicant grabbed a host from the ciborium, and in the process the host fell on the floor.

Critics of reception in the hand warned that it would have an effect on the reverence of the faithful for the sacred species. Of course, they were right.

[ArrogantBustard]

But my question is: do you still have to be in the state of grace to receive communion?

If one isn't, and one does, one commits a sin of sacrilege. Certain politicians come to mind.

[katana]

This apparently was a Mass conducted by a group dedicated to the Latin form, which I understand was de rigeur until the 1960's. I'm not a Catholic but I have always found that service to be profoundly spiritual (we can argue about physical trans-substantiation some other time) and were I a member of the RCC it would be the one I'd prefer to worship at.

If this guy wanted the Host to be handed to him I'm sure he could have found a church which does that, conducts the Mass in English or Gaelic (it is Ireland), with guitars and a jazz band, and a special offering plate for donations to PETA. Disrupting a solemn traditional service like this, of any faith or denomination, should have resulted in a severe a** kicking (away from church grounds, of course).

[katana]

Should have added: delivered by a Ward Bond in The Quiet Man type priest (although Father Jack or even Mrs. Doyle from Father Ted would do).

[wideawake]

At one Latin Mass I used to attend, there were often a number of walk-ins who did not realize it was a Latin Mass.

At communion time, the ones who did not kneel or put out their hands were not reprimanded and the priest did not order them to receive on the tongue - he simply replaced the Host in the ciborium, blessed them instead of communicating them, and then communicated the next person.

A grown man who sees what Mass he's at and challenges the priest by ignoring the rubrics knows what he's doing. He's trying to start trouble like this clown.

[vladimir998]

“According to onlookers, the communicant told the priest: “You’re in Ireland now”.”

And you, sir, are in the Latin Mass now.

[MayfairFly]

>>At one Latin Mass I used to attend, there were often a number of walk-ins who did not realize it was a Latin Mass.>>

Unless you’re deaf, I don’t see how one wouldn’t know it was a Latin Mass by the time communion rolls around. This man was most likely trying to cause a ruckus because of opposition to the Church or the Latin Mass. Of course, there’s the very slight possibility that he’s without an agenda and simply mentally disturbed.

[wideawake]

Unless you’re deaf, I don’t see how one wouldn’t know it was a Latin Mass by the time communion rolls around

I'm talking about people (mostly tourists) who were looking to attend Mass, saw a Mass time posted and showed up. They hear the opening hymn sung in English, they participate, and then the Latin Rite begins and they stay, because they want to fulfill their obligation and do not want to leave to search out another Mass.

[constitutiongirl]

Starting trouble...that’s exactly what he was doing. No sense of humility or respect. I attended a Latin Mass for years and we usually only saw confused persons at Christmas and Easter. They certainly didn’t pull the focus away from the Lord and toward themselves, thanks be to God.