Yes, the truth of what has happened is sad.
Just as those in the Curia want to bully anyone who rejects error and irreverence, so has this forum seen the same recently. One of the ones who has taken it upon himself to “set the record straight”, has even went as far as starting a thread a few days ago, complete with his own “rules” which prohibit anyone posting anything other than what he wants to hear. Sad as well.
God Bless Bishop Ranjith. He preaches rock solid catholicism. He deserves our prayers, as does Pope Benedict XVI. Our Holy Father will have to deal with this howl of the wolves when he returns to The Vatican.
How is it that we automatically assume that receiving Communion in the hand leads to irreverence? There may be some correlation, but it doesn’t logically follow that it should be held solely responsible.
Correlation does not imply causation. Indeed, many things have changed since Vatican II. Society as a whole is less respectful. There is less respect of the young for the old, less respect for government and government officials, less respect for the law, and, as a matter of fact, less respect for the dignity inherent in the office of bishop…just as examples. I would like to add that this lack of respect hardly confines itself to the liberal end of the opinion scale!
Educational standards have fallen, and with them the standards in catechesis. Again, this cannot be traced directly back to the mode by which Communion is received.
Now, if our cardinals were to decide for whatever reason that a return to a more formal way of receiving Communion is in order, I would live with that. If they were to decide that extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist needed to be done away with, I would live with that, even if the parishes had to move all their 10:30 Masses to 11 o’clock to accomodate the change. If they changed the standards of church architecture, I would live with that. Whereever these things are currently defined and not observed, I do not think they need to refrain from issuing admonishments and enforcing compliance. Likewise, if it is their decision to approach problems in observance in other ways, for pastoral reasons, I will defer to them on that.
It is fully within their authority to decide these things. I’d like to add that the bishops tend to raise these questions with each other in a far more respectful manner than what I’ve seen the laity do, even when the bishops are being very forceful in making their points. In this, they have my admiration.
I really find it hard to stand by and hear our bishops referred to as “wolves” or the Curia referred to as “bullies”, particularly from people (which may not include present company) who repeatedly call for similar tactics to be used to enforce the disciplines
they like. I hear such talk from both liberals and conservatives, and I’d like to go on record as saying that it seems out of place and unnecessary to communication of disagreement.
Can we please agree that whatever mode is allowed, we are bound to show respect to those in rightful authority within the Church, no matter what we think of them or what they teach? If you can’t be patient, kind, and respectful, you have blown the second great commandment already. That is a failure of a fundamental kind.
I’m not just saying, “Hey, play nice.” Jesus said that the world would know us as his disciples by how we loved each other. If you read the Gospel of John, you appreciate how fundamental mutual love and respect among the brethren is to our fidelity to the Gospel. We are
commanded to do it, that is the truth, and no excuses.
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