Thanks for posting this. I was curious about these points myself, although I am not a Catholic. Yet, anyhow.
“Our primary job is to teach and try to convince people. The tradition in our country has not been in the direction of refusing Communion, and I think it’s served us well.”
—Cardinal Wuerl, of Washington
Oh yes, it’s just working out smashingly, Cardinal. Look at all the public Catholics that have been convinced.
Another opportunity seized to let everyone know the Eucharists isn’t really a big deal when you get right down to it. One can’t teach without discipline, any sane first grade teacher could tell the Cardinal that.
As far as this canon expert guy goes, well is there anything one can say to the priest before Mass that is enough to deny the Host? Satanism? Cannibalism? Seems to me that if one takes the time to admit to an ongoing mortal sin right before Mass, then I reckon one has to live with the priests judgement. Anything else doesn’t make sense. The Washington Diocese looks like a bunch of fools.
Freegards