Houses of Worship Are Reaching Out To a Flock of Pets. (Episcopal Church Gives Communion to Animals)

Wall Street Journal ^ | 3/10/04 | Elizabeth Bernstein

[marshmallow]

For the first time in 10 years, Mary Wilkinson went to church one Sunday in January. She sat in a back pew at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, Conn., flipping through a prayer book and listening intently to the priest's sermon.

[tomahawk]

Next, they will be "marrying" animals to people.

This culture is degraded.

[nina0113]

I heard something about this on the news, but not which denom. Might have known it'd be the Episcopalians.

[applemac_g4]

Oddly enough, I'm not particularly disturbed by this.

The doxology does say "praise him all *creatures* (not people) here below."

The irony in this is that a gay episcopalian priest/bishop who has a reserved spot in hell might end up giving communion to a dog who has one in heaven.

[codyjacksmom]

bump

[Andy'smom]

I'd rather see animal blessings than "gay weddings".
Come to think of it, I'd rather see pet weddings than
gay weddings!

[doc30]

This is getting ridiculus. The church I attend has a pet blessing once per year and that is pretty cool. I can also understand someone who needs to be comforted when they lose a pet and their pastor, if willing, should help in consolation. But Holy Communion is NOT something for animals for self evident reasons and this gimmick is likely being used to try and boost membership in mainline protestant churches that have been declining in members for the past 30-40 years.

[ladtx]

Isn't this making a mockery of the sacrament?

[AD from SpringBay]

From a Christian perspective - this is a complete bastardization of the entire concept of the communion "supper" of Jesus Christ. I would not want to be responsible for teaching, partaking of, nor tolerating such a twisted event in any way shape or form.

[codyjacksmom]

"I'd rather see pet weddings than
gay weddings!"

That would be so cute. My dogs love each other and it would be fun to watch them get "married".

[King Black Robe]

Good freaking grief.

[cupcakes]

What a laughing stock the Episcopal church has become. It can't be long before they merge with the UU.

[sd-joe]

The Episcopal Church is going to the dogs.

[CasearianDaoist]

I agree. My church has a blessing on St Francis' Day on the steps of the church. thank you very much, and I take my dog to receive a blessing. But take her into church for communion? Ridiculous! Some people are very confused about the nature of worship and the nature of animals.

[stuartcr]

I'm not familiar with Holy Communion...why is it self-evident that it is not for animals? Isn't it ok for them to be blessed?

[FormerLib]

Next, they will be "marrying" animals to people.

My thoughts exactly.

Now some Kerry-supporter will be by to tell us that this means we're all bigots or some such rot.

[JosephW]

Yes it is. Giving a blessing to pets is OK. Giving the blood of salvation for the remission of sins is not right. Christ took on humanity to redeem humanity.

[verity]

They are a weird bunch!

[hellinahandcart]

I heard something about this on the news, but not which denom.

Hands up, everyone who read this as "demon" initially.

[KOZ.]

what happens when they cheat on each other? doggy divorce? animal annulments? what if they stop loving each other? seperation?

i'd be outta that church faster then a greyhound.

:)