Posted on 02/24/2005 7:06:21 PM PST by wagglebee
An episode of the NBC sitcom "Committed,” featuring two characters who flush a Communion wafer down a toilet, has created a firestorm of protest among Catholics.
During the February 22 broadcast, two non-Catholics are mistakenly given Holy Communion at a Catholic funeral Mass. As recounted by the Catholic League:
"Nate, who is Jewish, and Bowie, a Protestant, don’t know what to do with the Eucharist, so they make several failed attempts to get rid of it. For example, they try slipping it into the pocket of a priest, dropping it on a tray of cheese and crackers, etc.
"At one point, the priest, who is portrayed as not knowing the difference between the Host and a cracker, goes to grab the 'cracker' from a tray of appetizers; he initially balks when he discovers that it is the last one. Then he changes his mind, saying, "Oh, what the hell.”
"By far the most offensive scene occurs when Nate and Bowie accidentally flush what they think is the Host down the toilet."
Catholic League President William Donahue is demanding that NBC apologize.
"To say that Catholics are angry about this show would be an understatement - the outrage is visceral and intense," he said Thursday.
"NBC has made a direct frontal assault on Roman Catholicism, choosing to mock, trivialize and ridicule the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ," Donahue added. "More than an apology is needed. This episode should be retired for good, and that is what we will demand.”
It was special bread made just for the Passover. It is possible the owner of the Upper Room where they dined had it prepared for Jesus, as the owner was instructed by the disciples when they came to make sure the banquet was ready.
It is the same bread formula that they use to make the Hosts out of. The same procedures, to make sure it is unleavened bread.
"I don't need some Catholic priest to tell God my sins for me."
No, you don't. No one does. That is no more the Sacrement of Penance than your insulting and failed description of the Consecration. You clearly believe LIES about what the Catholic Church HAS ALWAYS TAUGHT for now more than 2,000 years, all of it in accord with both revealed Truth and the actual Words of Our Lord.
My apologies.
As to whether you've provided enough demonstration, I'll follow up tomorrow. I appreciate the link.
I know you've been around here for a while and you have my great respect as one who obviously loves The Great Gatsby almost as much as I do.
Anyway, thanks for following up. I've donated to the Catholic League before, so they might even read my letter. Be well.
"They are made by Monks and Sisters in Convents. They are not commercially available to anyone. "
This isn't true anymore. Anyone can buy them a 1000 at a time. I occasionally get a Catholic church supply catalog and you can buy anything if you have a credit card. They also have some made out of rice instead of wheat for those with wheat gluten allergies (although some bishops frown on using rice wafers).
I was giving you my best guess of how these wafers turn into to Body of Christ according to Catholic belief.
If I am wrong then by all means correct me.
In the Eastern Rite, they use leavened bread, btw.
There will be no more guessing and a lot less anger.
I understand the sentiment, but as far as I'm concerned, let THEM dust off their feet and leave. We're the majority.
FRegards
and yes, you can confess to God any thing, any time you want, but that don't buy you Communion in the Catholic Church.
See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05573a.htm for a very through, very well annotated discussion of the history of both Catholic belief and those who disent from that belief. May the Holy Ghost - the Paraclete - give you the Wisdom and Grace to read and understand the Words of Our Lord and the Charity and Humility to embrace that same Truth.
I watch EWTN and have seen Donohue on this program I have never heard him promote the gay agenda. I might have missed something but never ever have I see this or heard this
This isn't Phil Donohue ya know
explain your statement maybe I am missing something
I'm not sure why you posted this to me, I'm a firm believer in the Real Presence.
So Catholics belief the wafer is PHYSICALLY transformed by the priest at this moment into the ACTUAL Body of Christ?
BTW - It is not Catholic belief that those who do not receive communion are automatically consigned to hell. It is not our place as human beings to judge the souls of others.
I'm talking about those they DENY communion.
Isn't that a judgment on their standing before God?
Because you defiled something that is sacred. It's bad enough that you did it through ignorance. But, to now regard it as funny. That adds insult to injury.
If there is anything you hold sacred, imagine an ignoramus doing the same to it and then laughing about it.
Proper spelling, grammar and punctuation are signs of intelligence, and thereby they garner respect. Everyone makes a mistake now and then. It is a matter of degree.
Thus is one measure of the respect you will garner here.
Oh, I understood that. ;O)
No kidding. You are so smart.
If a Catholic commits a Mortal Sin, as soon as he can, he should directly ask God for His forgiveness. The traditional formula is the Act of Contrition:
O my God,
I am heartily sorry for
having offended Thee,
and I detest all my sins,
because I dread the loss of heaven,
and the pains of hell;
but most of all because
they offend Thee, my God,
Who are all good and
deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve,
with the help of Thy grace,
to confess my sins,
to do penance,
and to amend my life.
Amen.
God forgives us when we ask Him to and when we are both truly contrite and intend ammendment. The Church denies us the Sacrament of Communnion until Confession to help guard us against eternal death.
"I realize that some on this thread have been quite unfair to you and have put you a bit on edge, but please show some respect. It is our belief, whether you agree with it or not."
Respect goes two ways. My Catholic friends tell me that all non-Catholics are doomed.
My church has communion too, but we don't believe the cracker or grape juice actually change. We think they are symbolic. The show in question showed two non-Catholic men trying to honor and respect Catholics, even though they didn't believe that it was anything but a cracker. I think the writers are getting a bad rap from some people who didn't watch the show.
I can't recommend watching "Committed" regularly. It's not always funny. There are, however, some very funny bits. The rude, dying clown in the closet (Tom Poston) is worth the price of admission.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.