[Sgt_Schultze]

The doctrine of transubstantiation exists in the Catholic Church. For sure the faithful hold that the eucharist becomes the flesh of Jesus and wine becomes his blood. Martin Luther rejected that notion, suggesting that the wine and the eucharist merely represent the body and blood of Jesus.

As Kerry took communion in a place other than a Catholic Church, the representation of the eucharist wasn't the same by the offerer. Does one's faith alone cause transubstantiation, or is it effected by the priest? If it is the latter, then a case could be made that Kerry really never received Catholic communion, and his soul is in no danger.

[Arthur McGowan]

The Eucharist is effected by the words of the priest. It is an objective reality, independent of the state of mind of anyone present.

[kittymyrib]

You are wrong on Martin Luther's and the Bible's teaching of the Sacrament of the Altar. Luther and Lutherans believe that the bread and wine are the body and blood of Jesus because He said so: "Take eat. This IS My body...Take drink. This IS My blood given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins." This is the doctrine of the Real Presence and differentiates Lutherans from the Protestants who consider the bread and wine (usually grapejuice) as symbolic of His body and blood. The minister does not change bread and wine into the body and blood (transubstantiation), but Jesus declaring that it IS makes it so. And because it IS His body and blood, we must be penitent partakers because receiving it unworthily can damn instead of forgive.

[A.A. Cunningham]

For sure the faithful hold that the eucharist becomes the flesh of Jesus and wine becomes his blood.

Incorrect. Catholic doctrine teaches that the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ is fully present in both species of the Eucharist.