Confused and uncertain about some actions I thought was proper: Over Liturgy Abuse in the Military

[StephenB]

Write the bishop who oversees the military and tell him what happened (name names) and ask for a clarification in the matter. If you like, you can always CC the priest in question. Of course, be very nice and use phrases like “I was under the assumption that… Am I misunderstanding…”, etc.

This is a bit late and probably no longer relevant…

The acting bishop for the military is an administrator until the formal seating of the new ordinary (in January I believe.) The website for the military services has clear explanation about the distribution of communion by the laity, but presumes most priest know the rules.

I spent a few months in the military (about 250) and some of those (about 216) were spent working the military chaplaincy retiring as a SENIOR NCO. I’ll be the first to admit that a LOT of the catholic NCOs do not have a solid handle on church teaching, good intentions maybe, but not a solid handle. (The NCO who took a canon law course is no more qualified to provide a teaching about the matter than I am to defend Enron because I took a business law course.) I digress.

I worked with a Catholic chaplain who in the school environment celebrated daily mass, and allowed for episcopal and lutheran chaplains to receive communion at the mass because there was not a ready opportunity for them to receive under their own tradition - he cited a rather obscure “citation” that under unusual circumstances this was allowed. He was reported - the ordinariate responded “cease and desist or resign commission.” This clearly states that a priest should not knowingly and intentionally distribute communion to a non-catholic.

In the case in Iraq, it would be VERY easy for the priest to have slipped up (Many are offering multiple services every day to provide Sunday Mass) - and as several have pointed out, he did no wrong. He may have created more of a wrong if in fact he had created a scene by refusing communion on hte spot.

I think ( for whoever cares) the advice submitted by BlestOne is the most prudent. We bring to the attention of the priest, allow the priest to provide the gentle reminder to the congregation about the rules for reception, and if so inclined, offer the blessing. (I know that is a huge liturgical abuse as well… )

(BTW - Serious question: has Didache risen to the level of teaching authority/magesterium in the church?)

Peace -

{\o/}
/_\

 

[borlen]

Manny, I think you should go to the Catholic Chaplain and talk to him directly about it. Talking about it here won’t correct the problem. You would do him great service if you tell him what had just happened and maybe next time, he would be more vigilant of Non-Catholics trying to receive Communion. God bless you.

 

[Alphonsus_John]

With all due respect, I think you’re blowing this out of proportion.

You don’t know what that chaplain had to go through that day.From giving last rights to some mortally wounded trooper to counseling people with all of the evil that happens on deployment (cheating spouses, financial problems, kids @ home getting sick, etc.), to dealing with callous commanding officers who have zero sympathy for their people’s home problems. He could have overlooked this or just thought publicly denying her communion was more of an evil.

If it happens again, speak to the chaplain privately. If not, don’t worry about it.