Posted on 04/17/2003 1:05:24 PM PDT by Willie Green
For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.
ANY hope that Tony Blair had of enjoying a happy, Catholic Easter with his family will be crushed today by the Pope.
John Paul II is issuing a new encyclical that The Times has learnt will explicitly forbid Protestants like the Prime Minister taking Communion with Catholics such as Cherie Blair and their children.
The 83-year-old Pope has chosen Holy Week to stamp on what he sees as dangerously liberal interpretations of the Roman Catholic doctrine that only those in full communion with Rome can take part in the Eucharist.
Mr Blair, who remains a committed, if ecumenical, member of the Church of England, regularly attends Catholic Mass with his family. He also used to take Communion with them at the St Joan of Arc church in Islington.
But in 1996, he received a letter from Cardinal Basil Hume asking him to desist. In his reply, Mr Blair did not conceal his dismay at such theological conservatism. Saying that he merely wished to worship with his family but had not realised his behaviour was causing offence, he promised he would not do so again. The letter added: I wonder what Jesus would have made of it?
Since then Mr Blair, who admits he is strongly drawn to Catholicism, has more than once explored the limits of this doctrine. Britain has never had a Catholic prime minister and in 1998 he had to deny reports he had converted after being spotted going to Westminster Cathedral for Mass unaccompanied by his family. Suggestions that he had received the Eucharist on this occasion were never confirmed.
There have also been rumours that when Mr Blair is on holiday abroad he has taken Communion with his family.
The Pope´s fourteenth encyclical slams the door on the many Catholics and Protestants who currently take Communion together and represents a setback for Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is a firm advocate of ecumenism. When Mr Blair visited the Pope at the Vatican last month, he may have got a hint of what was to come. While his family went to take Communion with the Pope, the Prime Minister only received a blessing. The Pope also made it clear that he disagreed with Mr Blair about war in Iraq.
Yes... the Church has laws that are expected to be obeyed, and yes... it can be an affront to others who are not of the same opinion, or belief. But what good would Cannon Law be were it not to be followed strictly?
Those who oppose such rules should repect the Catholics who do.
In the end God will decide what's just.
As a practicing Catholic I choose to follow the teachings of the church.
I could not simply walk into a Jewish Synagogue and expected to be treated as a Jew, even though we are all of the belief in one God. You respect the differences that are out there, and choose your own faith, and practices.
Very cogent observation. Many of our founding fathers had at least a Protestant and specifically Calvinist education--and John Calvin in particular helped define (from the Bible) the basis of representative leadership (rule by elders or deacons) found in most Protestant churches (theologically Calvinist or not) today.
That we providentially also have a representative secular government--from a constitution formed by Calvinistical Protestant educated (that doesn't make them Calvinist or even necessarily Christian) founders I think is no accident.
(but hey, Calvinists like me never think anything is by accident...)
During the Boxer Rebellion in China, over 1300 Catholics were given a chance by the Chinese to step on the crucifix and live, or to walk around it and die.
These Catholics chose to walk around the crucifix, and were shot to death.
Most people who truly live their faith are not willing to compromise on this faith.
Have a blessed Holy Thursday!
On the other hand at my Presbyterian Church our minister always makes it clear that all Christians are welcome at the Lords Table.
An interesting difference, and one that has made me keep my seat, even when a pall bearer, rather than receive a blessing where I am not really welcome.
The Lord's Supper has a different meaning to you than it does to Catholics and others who believe Christ to be physically present. It's fair that we don't impose our belief upon your church just as it's fair that you don't impose your belief upon ours.
As a member of a Protestant congregation which believes in the true presence, I generally attend Catholic Mass when I can't find a church of my own denomination within range; I prefer to observe a service where Christ is believed to be present than to participate in a service where He is believed not to be present.
We aren't. We do however believe in a faith that is precious to us, and follow the Laws that are governed by our church.
I assume you follow the laws that are handed down by your church?
I would never dream of being so presumptious as to think that your rules, or Laws were any less important to you as the doctrine that I believe in.
God Bless, and have a Holy Thursday!
As far as some Catholic theologians are concerned, Protostants are equally as much heretics as Muslims.
Whenever two or more gather in His name He is present, that is the Biblical standard, regardless of whether anyone is taking the Lord's table or not.
My wife (raised Methodist) and I "church shopped" for some time and finally found a home in a Disciples of Christ congregation. It's a very personal decision and one conclusion I got from the process was that finding the right congregation and minister is the hard part.
The fact that Blair takes his faith seriously conflicts with my image of a leader of the Labour Party, but I'm glad he does. It may be the main thing that has created what seems to be a sincere personal bond between him and Bush.
Interesting discussions...
Sorry, two matters seem to be mixed up. First who is a 'real' Christian and secondly, what is the 'real presence'. Catholics rites consider all who are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Christians.
In the coming Saturday night Easter vigil Protestants coming into the Church are considered Christians and not considered Catechumens (Unbaptized). Those that were Protestants receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and the Eucharist but not Baptism because they are Christians.
In our Communion, you are asked to say Amen if believe you are receiving the actual body of Christ. If you can't truly say Amen, just don't go to receive. You are a Christian if you believe in Christ, you are a Catholic if you believe in the real presence. Go to the Easter vigil and see for yourself.
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