Thou shalt not flub thy photo op, Sen. Kerry (Caught taking "communion" in Protestant Church)

Boston Herald ^ | Wednesday, April 7, 2004 | David R. Guarino

[presidio9]

Photo ops are the saving grace of many political campaigns, but Bay State Sen. John F. Kerry [related, bio] gaffed one recent opportunity - flouting Catholic doctrine by taking communion at a non-Catholic church.

The Democratic presidential candidate invited the press to services at the AME Charles Street Church in Roxbury Sunday. But the photos showed Kerry taking communion.

That, Catholics say, is a catechism no-no.

``Catholics should not receive communion in a Protestant church,'' said Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. ``It's standard church teaching.''

Deal Hudson, publisher of the conservative Crisis Magazine, said, ``Kerry's attempts to woo the Catholic voter with such photo ops will ultimately turn off Catholics who value sincerity and honesty above superficial and vacuous symbolism.''

Kerry spokesman Michael Meehan said Kerry was merely participating in an ``ecumenical'' Christian service. ``He came at the invitation of the pastor, who invited all Christians to celebrate,'' Meehan said. ``Sen. Kerry is a Christian. He celebrated.''

Stephen Pope, a Boston College theology professor, said, ``As a matter of church law, Kerry broke the law of the church,'' but added that Kerry was in a ``no-win situation'' since taking or refusing communion would have offended someone.

[Rutles4Ever]

The reason the Catholic Church -- and the Orthodox Church -- prohibit receiving communion in another Christian Church is that no other Christian denomination believes their communion is anything more than a symbol

Better put this way: No other denominational clergy can change bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. It's not because they don't believe (heck, the majority of Catholics don't belive in the real presence), it's because He is simply not present in the bread and wine they celebrate with.

[vpintheak]

I don't want to cause a big problem here as I am a conservative Lutheran. As much of a problem I have with Kerry, and I have a lot of problems with him, I think that taking communion in another church causes no problems whatsoever. If we look at what communion is for, why would anyone have a problem with it? I believe is it silly church doctrine that would restrict people to only taking communion at certain places. That being said, I believe Kerry is pandering to the religious for votes and nothing more.

[canyon]

I have always taken this scripture to mean "Make sure your heart is right" not "Make sure the 'bread' and 'wine' are right."

[presidio9]

I don't think the original poster was trying to offend you. Catholics believe that a miracle occurs during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and that the bread and wine is literally transformed into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The only persons capable of performing the miracle of Consecration are ordained priests. As far as I know, Presbyterians do not accept this, so for a Catholic to receive communion in a Presbyterian church is a grave sin.

[Rutles4Ever]

She's correct. It's the equivalent of having sex with the woman who divorced you...

Sigh... Okay, let the flaming begin...

[Aquinasfan]

Stephen Pope, a Boston College theology professor, said, ``As a matter of church law, Kerry broke the law of the church,'' but added that Kerry was in a ``no-win situation'' since taking or refusing communion would have offended someone.

BC. No surprise.

[Rutles4Ever]

Sorry, I mis-formatted that:

The italcs are my comment to the woman who said her mother chastised her Catholic husband for taking communion in a Presbyterian Church

[Rutles4Ever]

What's surprising is that he actually says Kerry broke a law of the Church.

[presidio9]

Professor Pope would have had more to add, but he was late for the school-sponsored production of "The Vagina Monologues."

[TrueBeliever9]

"Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men." Mark 7:8 Jesus said all Ten Commandments [The Word] was one commandment "Love thy neigbhbor as thyself." I wonder what He thinks of all these traditions of men about who can take communion, with whom they can take communion and where they can take communion. The first people to take communion were Jewish and they did not take it in cathedrals - they took it daily, with each other, in their homes! Communion is about an intimate relationship with the LORD Of Lords, KING of Kings, Ruler of the Universe in Great Majesty! And, to many He will say "depart from Me, I never KNEW you." He is returning for a Holy Spirit filled Bride who has become The Word in the flesh as He is The Word in the flesh - He will not be unequally yoked! So whomever is taking communion is not in that state - it is a waste of their time!

[meatloaf]

I was wondering about Kerry wearing a rosary as a necklace. Even as a non-catholic that sounded strange to me. Thanks for following that up.

[Aquinasfan]

Is this seen as less severe in the Roman Catholic Church?

With his actions, he's either saying that he doesn't understand the significance of Communion, or he's saying that he accepts this church's teaching regarding communion. In the latter case, he would be a formal heretic and he would be committing a mortal sin. In the former case, he's a material heretic, but he could be excused for his ignorance. That seems implausible in this case.

[LuigiBasco]

How come numb nuts is always going to black churches?
He wouldn't be courting the black vote would he.
Naw, just a coincidence!

[patent]

>>>>I think that taking communion in another church causes no problems whatsoever. If we look at what communion is for, why would anyone have a problem with it?

Well, you have a very different definition of what communion is for than Catholics do. That is the first problem. Second problem is that you are not in communion with Catholics. It may seem silly to you, and it appears that at least some AME folks don't care either, but to a real Catholic it's a rather serious matter.

patent

[twigs]

I think you're right that the poster did not mean to offend. But it is an offense nevertheless. I try to let these statements go in these forums, especially as I'm married to a Catholic who I respect (and love) very much. I understand the difference between the way Catholics and Protestants see communion, but I try carefully not to criticize the Catholic view even though I do not agree with it. Just because someone does not understand or agree with the other view, they should be careful lest they name it a "human" as opppsed to a scriptural or spiritual view. Presbyterians are particularly concerned about merely taking actions in the flesh as opposed to obedience to Christ. I felt compelled to correct the error. I certainly do not mean to either flame or to start such a conflagration!

[kevao]

``Catholics should not receive communion in a Protestant church,'' said Sister Mary Ann Walsh

Actually, Kerry didn't take communion in the church, before he took it.

[aloysius89]

Church Doctrine is Church Doctrine. The point is that Kerry wants somehow to identify himself as a Catholic while maintaining NONE of the precepts to which the Catholic Church holds. If it walks like a giraffe, and talks like a donkey and quacks like a weasel there is a problem with calling it a duck.

[lugsoul]

As a Protestant who is married to a Catholic, I must say that I find the RCC's restrictions with regard to Communion to be nothing short of bizarre. For the life of me, I can't decipher how the taking of communion (whether by a Catholic in a Protestant church, or a Protestant in a Catholic Church) can be a "serious sin." I defy any Catholic to show me a teaching of Jesus that shows the participation in a sacrament to be a "sin" because of the time and place of the ceremony.

[RonDog]

Boston Herald ^ | Wednesday, April 7, 2004

Nice to see the mainstream media finally reporting on this. :o)

See also the ORIGINAL thread, from SUNDAY, April 4:

Reuters PHOTO: "ROMAN CATHOLIC" John Kerry takes communion at AME Church
[Is this kosher?]
REUTERS photo (via the Drudge thread) ^ | April 4, 2004 | RonDog
Posted on 04/04/2004 9:26:17 PM PDT by RonDog

Perhaps someone on the RELIGION forum can help us.

On tonight's Drudge thread there is some question as to the propriety of a ROMAN CATHOLIC taking communion in a NON-Catholic church.

See, for instance, my post 321:

To: tgslTakoma

The AP and Reuters stories said that he did take communion. Kerry attended Palm Sunday services, but not at a Catholic Church; he went to the Charles Street AME Church in Boston to take Communion.

(It's been a very long time since my Catholic school religion classes, but I seem to remember that it's a big no-no for a Catholic to take Communion in other than a Catholic church. Maybe that rule has changed...)

From Yahoo! NEWS photos:

Sun Apr 4, 3:16 PM ET

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator John Kerry
(news - web sites) (D-Ma) and his wife Teresa Heinz Kerry (2nd from L)
kneel in prayer with Boston Mayor Tom Menino (3rd from L)
and his wife Angela as they wait to be served communion
during church services at the Charles Street AME Church
in the Dorchester section of Boston April 4, 2004.
REUTERS/Jim Bourg US ELECTION

CLICK HERE for the rest of that thread

The AP and Reuters stories said that he did take communion. Kerry attended Palm Sunday services, but not at a Catholic Church; he went to the Charles Street AME Church in Boston to take Communion.

(It's been a very long time since my Catholic school religion classes, but I seem to remember that it's a big no-no for a Catholic to take Communion in other than a Catholic church. Maybe that rule has changed...)

From Yahoo! NEWS photos:

[Jim Noble]

As a Protestant who is married to a Catholic, I must say that I find the RCC's restrictions with regard to Communion to be nothing short of bizarre

It's not bizarre.

It's offensive.