Best way to handle this? Eucharist situation

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llenadegracia

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I’ll try to keep this short…

I’m in college and involved with our Newman group. A Protestant (non-denominational) acquaintance/friend from my hometown is extremely involved. Great! Awesome! We have a handful of non-Catholics involved. No problem there, cool opportunity to witness the Catholic faith.

Our on-campus priest essentially encourages/permits anyone to receive the Eucharist which is a completely different issue…

Anyway, this friend of mine likes to talk about how he thinks the Catholic Church’s teachings on who should receive the Eucharist are stupid and how he receives anyway.

(Again, the priest says it’s ok… He IS, after all, listening to the priests instructions…)

Bottom line: This friend is just bluntly rude to other members of the Newman group. :confused:

It would be one thing if he simply said, “Well, Father says it is ok so I’m going to follow that…” (still not ok, but at least a bit more logical and kind)

But instead he makes it into this big ordeal every time he goes to Mass…which is at least two times a week! He mentions it frequently and makes it known that he rejects that the Eucharist truly is the Presence of Christ. I find this behavior and comments disrespectful. He is attending a Catholic church…I don’t know…I don’t want to get up on a high horse here…but I feel like when you are a guest in a denomination/church other than your own, you should be respectful of the people whose “home” denomination that is and not tell them how wrong they are for being Catholic in the setting of a Catholic chapel right before/after Mass. It’s just really silly. Not sure if I really worded that well but I just am not jiving with this behavior and commentary.

It has just become such a negative environment. I feel so discouraged. A few friends and I are working on handling the priest giving the ok to nearly everyone on the Eucharist issue…but we’re just at a loss of ideas on how to handle this particular rude and disrespectful friend. Some of my friends, myself included, no longer attend Mass at the chapel and attend elsewhere.

Suggestions?
 
If the priest is teaching that anyone can receive the Eucharist, a letter to the bishop is in order. If the priest issue can get fixed, then perhaps the friend can, too.

Until then…prayer and ignoring his attempts to start an ordeal or argument? If he’s going to do it anyway and you’ve talked to him again and again about it, there’s nothing you can do to stop him from receiving short of tackling him or getting a new priest who knows the situation and refuses him the Eucharist.
 
Wo. I can’t believe the priest is doing that, I would think that’s the biggest issue. And your acquaintance is acting pretty arrogant. I would be clear in your views (and of course catholic teaching) and talk to the priest, and your friend, and be kind and clear. Maybe just ask why the priest feels it’s ok to give holy communion to non-catholics? I would continue going to mass and holy communion at a different chapel/priest, but your friend needs to be told in no uncertain terms he is being disrespectful.
 
approach the Priest…I wonder about his formation in the Seminary…do it lovingly ofcourse…state what you are witnessing and get his take on it…then if what you here is nonsense…go to the Bishop…if no reply…no interest…everyone just says pray about it…go to the nuncio…if no response there…find a REAL Priest…in another Parish…talk to him…and look for another place to attend Mass…sad…what’s going on College Campuses with respect to our Catholic Faith…
 
Holy cow!

The priest does not have that authority. I know things are different at the Newman Center, but gosh! That’s too far! The front cover of our misselettes posts the Church’s guidelines for reception of Holy communion. It says all are welcome to Mass, but ONLY those in full communion with the Catholic Church who are in good standing can receive.

In Christian charity, you should talk with the priest first. If he won’t hear you, bring 1 or 2 others with you for a second talk, and then if he still refuses to comply, a letter to your Bishop is definitely the next step. (He’s not a member of a religious community, is he? If so, the letter should be copied to his Superior too).

As for the other student, maybe, in speaking his language (so to speak), quote Scripture. 1 Cor 11: 27-29 to be exact. It says, “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.”

I can only guess that he is immature and not aware that he if behaving as he is. Pray for him and rest assured of my prayers for you.
 
llenadegracia said:
I’ll try to keep this short…

I’m in college and involved with our Newman group. A Protestant (non-denominational) acquaintance/friend from my hometown is extremely involved. Great! Awesome! We have a handful of non-Catholics involved. No problem there, cool opportunity to witness the Catholic faith.

Our on-campus priest essentially encourages/permits anyone to receive the Eucharist which is a completely different issue…

Anyway, this friend of mine likes to talk about how he thinks the Catholic Church’s teachings on who should receive the Eucharist are stupid and how he receives anyway.

(Again, the priest says it’s ok… He IS, after all, listening to the priests instructions…)

Bottom line: This friend is just bluntly rude to other members of the Newman group. :confused:

It would be one thing if he simply said, “Well, Father says it is ok so I’m going to follow that…” (still not ok, but at least a bit more logical and kind)

But instead he makes it into this big ordeal every time he goes to Mass…which is at least two times a week! He mentions it frequently and makes it known that he rejects that the Eucharist truly is the Presence of Christ. I find this behavior and comments disrespectful. He is attending a Catholic church…I don’t know…I don’t want to get up on a high horse here…but I feel like when you are a guest in a denomination/church other than your own, you should be respectful of the people whose “home” denomination that is and not tell them how wrong they are for being Catholic in the setting of a Catholic chapel right before/after Mass. It’s just really silly. Not sure if I really worded that well but I just am not jiving with this behavior and commentary.

It has just become such a negative environment. I feel so discouraged. A few friends and I are working on handling the priest giving the ok to nearly everyone on the Eucharist issue…but we’re just at a loss of ideas on how to handle this particular rude and disrespectful friend. Some of my friends, myself included, no longer attend Mass at the chapel and attend elsewhere.

Suggestions?
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It sounds like he has no respect for you, your faith or Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t even hang out with him or bring him there anymore. You can try showing him from the Bible Jesus’s real presence in the Eucharist. If you decide to, please feel free to use this article I wrote:
catholicwvengeance.wordpress.com/2011/09/30/why-catholics-dont-allow-protestants-to-receive-communion/
I warn you, alot of times it doesn’t work. Some people are so set in their ways, they can’t see the light.
 
Speak charitably to the Priest first. Then if the situation is not addressed than you can send a letter to the Bishop. If you haven’t spoken to the Priest in question they won’t address your letter. You have to go through the chain of command.
 
awsiukiewicz said:
approach the Priest…I wonder about his formation in the Seminary…do it lovingly ofcourse…state what you are witnessing and get his take on it…then if what you here is nonsense…go to the Bishop…if no reply…no interest…everyone just says pray about it…go to the nuncio…if no response there…find a REAL Priest…in another Parish…talk to him…and look for another place to attend Mass…sad…what’s going on College Campuses with respect to our Catholic Faith…
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What people have already said. There’s (IMO) a bigger problem than your friend. The priest most certainly should not be encouraging anyone and everyone to receive.

Also, it’s not all colleges… Mine’s letting us use a room in the union to hold Mass while our Newman Center’s being renovated.
 
Church teaching is Church teaching. I would definitely seek the bishop and contact him.
 
Newman Centers defiantly have difficult missions as parishes for sure. However, this Priest should not be openly suggesting anyone can receive the Eucharist and should explain why only the initiated as well as those in good standing can recieve the Sacrement. Now, if he unknowingly gives the Sacrement to individuals that’s a much different story. I think the best course of action is to first discuss the matter with the Priest in question. In my experience Newman Centers rarely have one Priest on staff so it might be best to also discuss the matter with other Pastoral staff before elevating the concern to the Bishop.

As for your friend I would just politely tell him you think it’s disrespectful to accept communion and explain why especially when he doesn’t believe in transubstantion.
 
Razanir said:
What people have already said. There’s (IMO) a bigger problem than your friend. The priest most certainly should not be encouraging anyone and everyone to receive.

Also, it’s not all colleges… Mine’s letting us use a room in the union to hold Mass while our Newman Center’s being renovated.
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My college did the same and allowed us space while our Newman Center was under construction. Before our chapel expanded, they also allowed us to use a big room in the union during parent’s weekend and events where there would be more than normal attendance. But I suppose that is all the doing of our colleges, not campus ministry.

Anyway -

A few of us are in the process of contacting our Bishop. We have already spoken to the priest. Not willing to change positions. That’s great info to know though, maltmom, that the Bishop won’t respond unless you go up the chain of command. Glad we have our bases covered.

And to respond to some other comments made: Yes, the priest is a member of a religious community. So I should copy a letter to them as well? As for quoting Scripture to this acquaintance, he interprets that passage from 1 Cor to mean something completely different so that’s pretty much a no-go there.

Thank goodness this semester is almost over and we will all be going home for the summer. Some good relaxation is needed.

So a letter to the Bishop is definitely in order? We’re already getting started on that and fully intend on following through. We just don’t want to skip any steps in the process, so to speak.
 
stlcatholic86 said:
Newman Centers defiantly have difficult missions as parishes for sure. However, this Priest should not be openly suggesting anyone can receive the Eucharist and should explain why only the initiated as well as those in good standing can recieve the Sacrement. Now, if he unknowingly gives the Sacrement to individuals that’s a much different story. I think the best course of action is to first discuss the matter with the Priest in question. In my experience Newman Centers rarely have one Priest on staff so it might be best to also discuss the matter with other Pastoral staff before elevating the concern to the Bishop.

As for your friend I would just politely tell him you think it’s disrespectful to accept communion and explain why especially when he doesn’t believe in transubstantion.
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The priest (only one on campus) is definitely aware that he (and others) is not Catholic. This friend also knows what the Catholic Church teaches, that the priest is disobeying, and that numerous people feel disrespected because of his actions. But again…I can understand why he is listening to the priest and disregarding his peers. Still doesn’t make it ok, but at least he isn’t disregarding both the priest and peers…

Basically, everyone is aware of what is going on: Priest knows he isn’t Catholic and friend knows it isn’t ok.
 
I agree the guy who is protestant and rejecting the eucharist is the body of Christ is being very arrogant. He obviously does not care to change. I would simply say that I do not want to discuss these matters with him and avoid him as much as possible
 
llenadegracia said:
The priest (only one on campus) is definitely aware that he (and others) is not Catholic. This friend also knows what the Catholic Church teaches, that the priest is disobeying, and that numerous people feel disrespected because of his actions. But again…I can understand why he is listening to the priest and disregarding his peers. Still doesn’t make it ok, but at least he isn’t disregarding both the priest and peers…

Basically, everyone is aware of what is going on: Priest knows he isn’t Catholic and friend knows it isn’t ok.
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That’s a tough situation I would still probably get a group together and discuss it with the priest he needs to set the example for the parish. If not you might call or write the Bishop or as a previous poster mentioned might contact the religious order if the priest is a member of one. You might even consider going to a nearby parish and discussing the matter with the priest there and get guidance from him.
 
ishnianqueen said:
If the priest is teaching that anyone can receive the Eucharist, a letter to the bishop is in order. If the priest issue can get fixed, then perhaps the friend can, too.

Until then…prayer and ignoring his attempts to start an ordeal or argument? If he’s going to do it anyway and you’ve talked to him again and again about it, there’s nothing you can do to stop him from receiving short of tackling him or getting a new priest who knows the situation and refuses him the Eucharist.
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I like option 1.

But yeah, contacting the bishop is probably the way to go.
 
I suggest you write a letter to the bishop asap.
If you know a few other students who are equally upset about the interfaith communion situation, maybe several of you can sign the letter (type names & addresses on the letter). Send a copy of it to the priest’s superior.
Thank you for standing firm with the defiant student. Thank you most especially for loving our Lord.
 
llenadegracia said:
A few of us are in the process of contacting our Bishop. We have already spoken to the priest. Not willing to change positions. That’s great info to know though, maltmom, that the Bishop won’t respond unless you go up the chain of command. Glad we have our bases covered.

And to respond to some other comments made: Yes, the priest is a member of a religious community. So I should copy a letter to them as well? As for quoting Scripture to this acquaintance, he interprets that passage from 1 Cor to mean something completely different so that’s pretty much a no-go there.

So a letter to the Bishop is definitely in order? We’re already getting started on that and fully intend on following through. We just don’t want to skip any steps in the process, so to speak.
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Yes, seems you are on the right track. The order is:
  1. First talk charitably with the priest. Tell him you do not understand why he is admitting non-believers to Holy Communion. You do not need to tell him his job about it being against Canon Law - he knows that. But you can say that it pains you, is causing scandal among the faithful, and causing people to leave the Newman Center. You can ask if he will consider the matter and stop the practice. If he continues, then step #2
  2. Get 2 friends to go with you for another conversation with the priest. Take some notes as to resolution, if any. If none, then step #3
  3. Use your smart phone to record parts of Mass. There’s nothing better than actually being able to show someone at the Bishop’s office what’s happening. It’s 100 times more effective than “he said - she said” stuff. Be sure to note the date of the Mass and that it was AFTER two conversation with the priest.
  4. Write a letter to your Bishop. Then, go back thru the letter and remove all adjectives. 🙂 Just give the facts without embellishment. He will need to know dates and events. It will be essential that you sign the letter and include contact info (with summer coming up, you may want to include both school and home contact info). If someone else is co-authoring it, they should sign and give contact info too. Anonymous letters go into the trash.
  5. Because he belongs to a religious order, the Bishop can only remove him from the Newman Center (that is, assuming the college is not operated by that religious order?). But the priest owes his allegiance not to the Bishop, but to his religious Superiors. It should be easy enough to look up on the internet who the Superior is (title could be Superior, Abbot, Father General, Prior, etc.). Send a signed copy of your letter to the Bishop also to the Superior. It is up to the Superior of the order to determine what corrective action - if any - he wants to take with this priest and you will likely not ever hear about it other than if he is removed from the Newman Center.
  6. Pray for all involved. Pray for that priest, Priests really do have a tough job. Pray for that other student. It’s not all his fault that he’s being led astray. Pray for your classmates who are scandalized and/or confused. And most of all, pray for yourself that you may continue being a beacon of Truth.
 
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