[Kolokotronis]

" Since the entire Episcopal diocese had fallen into heresy, it fell under the "other grave circumstance"."

Interesting. Is that what is used for giving communion to, say, Greek Orthodox? I mentioned a few days back that in this particular Roman diocese the "missalettes" used to have a little write up about who could present themselves for communion; the invitation included Orthodox. That little write up is now gone since the new bishop arrived. Apparently the new bishop took seriously Rome's admonition to the local ordinaries that they consult with their Orthodox brothers before allowing intercommunion save in case of imminent or impending death. I know the Orthodox Metropolitan had been very exercised about those missalettes. At any rate, they are gone now.

[AnAmericanMother]

Our missalettes still contain the invitation, but add a caution that the visitor should check with his own bishop or metropolitan before receiving and should "be in accord with the rubrics" of his own faith.

[AnAmericanMother]

I don't think that would be used for Greek Orthodox - they're not in heresy -- we and they are merely in schism. The Episcopalians on the other hand have gone stark raving mad. I cannot in good conscience receive communion from anybody who's walking with Foggy Frank Griswold and his band of heretics.

[redgolum]

This whole article confused me. For one thing Kolokotronis, it does reak of sycrinism. The LWF in general and the European synods in particular are known for that.

As a Lutheran, I would not even think of going to communion at an Orthodox or Roman Catholic church. To do so promotes false unity and can only confuse the members of each group. The only possible reason to think of that is a end of life position where there is not time to find my own pastor, and even then it is not something I would personally feel comfortable with.

I to have seen the little disclaimer in the front of the missalettes. I have often wondered at it. My Catholic mother in law once told me that "the Eastern Orthodox are exactly the same except for the Papacy" and I had to laugh! One of the great things about FR is that I got to talk with Eastern Christians and truly get a general idea of the differences and similarities.

At best, the Lutheran bishops were expressing a desire to unify in the face of the threat of secularism. For that I can't blame them. But to hold open communion diminishes the Sacrament.