How could there be anything wrong with this ecumenical prayer service?

[Yulejule]

In an Ecumenical Prayer Service at a retreat where Protestant Pastors and those in ministry from Catholicism and Protestantism were being taught/encouraged how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, a prayer service was held daily where Scripture was read (gospel as well as psalm), a reflection given and then bread broken and blessed and grape juice blessed - then given to all recipients in memory of Jesus at the last supper. There was no formal rite being claimed, no claim to this being Eucharist, but just praying together (each with his own prayer and belief system intact). This did not strike me then or now as being wrong for a Catholic to participate in. It certainly seemed to me that we were praying in concert with one another, not addressing our differences but recognizing our oneness in seeking Christ, each to his own personal belief system.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear Y,

As you write it, the event sounds benign and positive at first. But true ecumenism doesn’t bury our differences. The use of bread and grape juice could be confusing for some. Jesus used wine; not grape juice. I cannot see it serving a useful purpose. Who blessed the elements?

Being a Catholic is not just our own personal belief system. It is our adherence to an objective truth. There is a difference. Catholic laity, involved in ministry should be attending Catholic retreats only. There is enough confusion around these days as it is—without the subtle suggestion that under our differences lies the true Church (without a visible structure) that our differences keep us from embracing. Catholics are already embracing the true Church.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.