[SoothingDave]

Just like the Times to figure this as some type of shot at Blair.

SD

[sarasota]

Underwhelming.

[JohnGalt]

Clinton did the same thing in an African Catholic church a few years ago.

[bedolido]

is this the same Pope that didn't want the Iraqi people freed? And didn't want the torture and murder to stop?

WHO THE F%$K CARES WHAT HE SAYS!!! HE'S LOST CREDIBILITY!!!

[Puddleglum]

Gasp! This has only been church law for hundreds of years. Not exactly "news."

[AnAmericanMother]

This has always been the case, unless special permission is obtained in an emergency situation.

I'm Anglican (Episcopalian), and have always known that I couldn't receive with my Catholic friends. The only exceptions have been when as a child I was on holiday with my family in remote areas of Latin American or the Caribbean and Christmas or Easter rolled around. Since those are Holy Days of Obligation, Episcopalians as well as Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on those days. If there was no Episcopal or Anglican church on the island or up in the hills of Mexico, my father would call on the local priest and lay our situation before him. (He doesn't speak Spanish but he speaks fluent Italian and we wandered all through Latin America on that basis with no problem.) The Catholic church has always allowed those who acknowledge the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament to receive in emergency situations, and since we do and it was an emergency, I can't remember a time when we were refused.

But you can't just show up at the rail when there's an Anglican church right down the road . . . :-D

I wonder if this message changes that old practice. I'll have to read it carefully when I have more time.

[Black Bart]

This hardline position is most unfortunate. Apparently the Roman Church still harbors some hard feelings about the Reformation. Y'know letting us read the Bible for ourselves, worship in our native tongue, etc. Bygones will not be bygones in Rome.

[TSgt]

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

I don't see where Jesus said anything about being, "in full communion with Rome."

[ffusco]

To deny anyone Communion, if they choose to accept it, is FUNDAMENTALLY UN-CHRISTIAN.

[k2blader]

ANY hope that Tony Blair had of enjoying a happy, Catholic Easter with his family will be crushed today by the Pope.

What a ridiculous hook.

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?”

This Blair chap is pretty sharp.

[F16Fighter]

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.

Wait a minute: Blair is suddenly forbidden to receive Communion, yet known pedophilic priests and CC hierarchal enablers are? Hmmm - Anything at all to do with Blair and the war??

When convenient, it seems some "liberal" interpretations are more taboo then others.

[Consort]

In a related story, Catholic Church asks Tom Daschle to stop calling himself a Catholic.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Hmmm, I can't seem to find the part in the Bible where Jesus instructs 'only those “in full communion with Rome” can take part in the Eucharist.'

[latina4dubya]

i come from a Catholic family; however, 20 years ago i became a Protestant... there have been times when i've been present at Catholic communions, (weddings, baptisms, confirmations, etc.,) where the priest invites only the Catholics to participate in the communion ceremony... but i've chosen to take communion anyway... i think the rule is ridiculous... heck, i know i have a relationship with Christ--and i know of several Catholics in my family who do not, yet they are invited to take communion...

[ambrose]

I wish the Pope felt as strongly about pedophile priests as he does about Protestant Christians.

[Bigg Red]

Saying that he merely wished to worship with his family but had not realised his behaviour was causing offence...

If Cherie is Catholic why in the sam hill would she not tell him that his receiving Communion is against the rules?

[Argus]

Looks like we've got our own Holy War right here on this thread.

Tony Blair should know better than to try and take Communion at a Catholic altar when he is not Catholic. Anyone who is even slightly aware of our doctrine knows that this is sacrilege. Good Catholics won't even take Communion if they are not in state of grace - non-Catholics are completely out of the question. What sets Catholics apart from Protestant denominations is our belief that the Host, by transubstantiation, is the actual Body of Christ. It's true that high-church Anglicans also believe in transubstantiation, but not being in communion with Rome disqualifies them ipso facto from participating. This schism was the Anglican's choice nearly five hundred years ago, not Rome's. If they want back in, they know what it will take.

[ellery]

Can't we all just get along?

[AxelPaulsenJr]

This is why I am Methodist. We believe that the sacraments of the Son of God belong to all not just Catholics.

[Bill Davis FR]

it surprises me that he was taking communion until 1996...in the US you can not take communion unless you are a member of a catholic church...