From the Rad-Tradish to the "Spirit of Vatican II-esque" at the Synod

Catholic News Agency offers this close-up.

Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga M.I.C., from Karaganda, Kazakhstan wants to restore universal kneeling for, and reception on the tongue of, the Eurcharist. Archbishop John Atcherley Dew of Wellington, New Zealand wants to offer the Eucharist to divorced Catholics and non-Catholic spouses of Catholics. My, when the Sheperds clash, they clash! Take a closer look:

As bishops today, met for the Forth General Congregation of the 11th Synod of Bishops, the issue of the sacredness of the Eucharist and how the faithful can better recognize it, took center stage for a time. Among the proposals were universal reception in the mouth and a greater focus on confession to help prepare faithful to receive.

Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga M.I.C., from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, who was persecuted for his faith during the years of soviet communism, recalled the days when the Eucharist was forced to be celebrated in secret by the faithful. He called to mind its sacredness and discussed ways to highlight this fact.

He said that, "Among the liturgical innovations produced in the Western world, two in particular tend to cloud the visible aspect of the Eucharist, especially as regards its centrality and sacredness: the removal of the tabernacle from the center and the distribution of communion in the hand."

"Communion in the hand", he said, "is spreading and even prevailing as being easier, as a kind of fashion. ... Therefore, I humbly propose the following practical propositions: that the Holy See issue a universal regulation establishing the official way of receiving communion as being in the mouth and kneeling; with communion in the hand to be reserved for the clergy alone."

(snip)

Archbishop John Atcherley Dew of Wellington, New Zealand announced a formal request to offer communion to divorced Catholics who have not been reconciled with the Church, and also to non-Catholic spouses--something the Church's teaching magisterium has long forbid.

"Our Church", he said, "would be enriched if we were able to invite dedicated Catholics, currently excluded from the Eucharist, to return to the Lord's table. There are those whose first marriages ended in sadness; they have never abandoned the Church, but are currently excluded from the Eucharist."

The Archbishop also mentioned Catholics who are married to "people baptized in other Christian faiths."

"We acknowledge them to be baptized in Christ in the sacrament of marriage," he said, "but not in the reception of the Eucharist. This Synod must be pastoral in approach; we must look for ways to include those who are hungering for the Bread of Life. The scandal of those hungering for Eucharistic food needs to be addressed, just as the scandal of physical hunger needs to be addressed."

Uh, isn't the Eurcharist a sign of unity? How does a non-Catholic express unity with a Catholic? Wouldn' t receiving the Eucharist violate their own conscience? As for divorced Catholics receiving the Eucharist, it's a non-starter. Those that experienced divorce suffer a tremendous wound. However, divorced Catholics per se are not excluded from communion; Catholic divorcees that remarry are! This introduces an entirely different complication to the matter. Like it or not, Jesus Christ forbade divorce. Therefore, the Catholic Church has no authority to declare legitimate in Christ's name what he himself prohibited. Since reception of the Eucharist implies a union with him, those that have broken his commandment clearly are not in union with him. Hence, their reception of Eucharist is the consumption of judgement upon themselves, to paraphrase the Apostle. Those that remarry after a divorce technically violate the sixth commandment. How can they stand with other Catholics and claim unity with them in Christ when they witness a violation of God's law? As much pain and isolation as they experienced as a result of a failed marriage, do they not violate themselves all the more by enacting an act that violates their integrity. I sympathize with those that suffer the pain of divorce. I do not wish to excacerbate their suffering further by accepting their disintegration when the receive Christ unworthily. They don't deserve that.

As for the practice of receiving on the tongue and kneeling, I believe this presents an enormous pastoral challenge. More to the point, does the gesture of kneeling and receiving the Eucharist on the tongue convince 60% of American Catholics--and who knows how many worldwide--that don't believe the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Christ? The lack of conviction in this doctrine is the seed for the lack of awe many Catholics demonstrate when they receive. A change in posture alone will not sufficiently relieve this deficit of understanding. What a change such as the one Archbishop Lenga proposes may accomplish is to integrate a person's body with their mind. In other words, a Catholic that does believe in the Real Presence manifests that belief all the more through kneeling for the Eucharist and receiving Christ on the tongue. This act of submission to Love integrates what we say we believe with how we act in that moment. Imagine how such a reception might facilitate incarnating Christ in the world through charitable living beyond the Church's parking lot!

The more the Synod Fathers discuss the various aspects and issues that surround the Eucharist, the greater the force of their teaching will be, should Pope Benedict XVI implement that on which they agree. The Eucharist is the sum and summit of our Faith. Christ's Presence in the sacrifice of the Mass deserves careful reflection by those whom he has entrusted to teach and affirm the Faith. May God continue to pour his Spirit over the Synod Fathers and our Pope, that they may discern his will for our Church in regards to the Eucharist. May their consideration inspire a renewal of devotion to Christ in the Eucharist that transforms us all!