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Previous Posts
Archbishop Chaput weighs in against "Obama Catholics"--and for...?
Denver's Archbishop Charles Chaput combines an intellectual's depth with the doughty persona of a politicker, which is what he used to be--he worked for the RFK campaign and later, even as a priest, was a campaign volunteer for Jimmy Carter. Some say he's still a political operative, though for the
posted 11:18:53am May. 20, 2008 |
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The Hagee-Donohue ticket: "Liberals' worst nightmare"
The elaborate courtship of Texas televangelist John Hagee--who is covering McCain's evangelical flank--and the Catholic League's Bill Donohue, who accused Hagee of anti-Catholicism for his "Great Whore" sermonizing and other standard anti-papist barbs, always seemed to hold about as much suspense as
posted 10:54:05am May. 19, 2008 |
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An olive branch to divorced-and-remarried Catholics?
An item in the current edition of The Tablet of London hints at a possible opening for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive communion--even though many do, obviously, their ban from the altar under church law remains one of the sorest pastoral points in the US church. It is also a sore point
posted 6:00:00am May. 17, 2008 |
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The key to Benedict...
It is summed up in a response recounted by Father Jim Martin, a Jesuit and author who posts (and edits) at America magazine's blog. Father Martin has a post on "Three Unreported Papal Stories" from last month's visit. The third is the payoff:
Third: Another priest friend serving as a secretary to on
posted 5:12:35pm May. 16, 2008 |
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Guerilla tactics and the "Communion Wars"...Doug Kmiec is denied communion for backing Obama
It seems that the former Reagan adviser and Catholic conservative legal scholar from Pepperdine, Doug Kmiec--heretofore a man with impeccable judicial and pro-life credentials--has been barred from communion for his support for Barack Obama. In a posting yesterday, Kmiec did not give details, but wr
posted 12:37:21pm May. 16, 2008 |
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posted May 9, 2008 at 2:47 pm
I believe it appropriate for Bishop Murry to issue such a pastoral letter in what may appear to some as an administrative action. Throughout the Church’s history there has been much confusion between the celebration of Eucharist and the reception of Holy Communion. The shortage of priests has brought this theological confusion to the surface for closer inspection. In this society it is all too easy to fall into a consumerist spirituality as opposed to a truly Catholic liturgical spirituality. As Ed Foley, Capuchin has pointed out, “When we allow thetabernacle to displace the table as the sending point of communion, weweaken the linkage between communion and the sacrifice of Christ which is so central to the celebration of the Eucharist. By consequence, we can oftenturn communion into a private act of reception, rather than a public act of missioning to become the body of Christ in the world.”
I believe that Bishop Murry is correctly employing his role as chief liturgist in his diocese by using this administrative action of curtailing the proliferation of Communion services as a catechetical moment. I also think it appropriate that this pastoral letter be distributed during the Novena of Pentecost insofar as it seems likely that thos participating in these weekday communion services have forgotten the role of the Holy Spirit’s role in the celebration of Eucharist.
I only wish that Bishop Murry had spent time catechizing on the forgotten liturgy of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, which could nourish and sustain those throughout the week until they are able to fully celebrate the Paschal Mystery in their Sunday celebration of Eucharist. It is my understanding that the Diocese of Rockville shortage of priests has not affected parishes to the extent that they would need to resort to Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest.
No priests – no eucharist. No eucharist – no Church? The answer is yes, but why are people settling for communion services when so much is at stake?!
posted May 9, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I appologize the many typos in my previous post. In particular misidentifying Bishop Murphy.