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Duty to the Church, Duty to people; The responsibilities of a priest
Topic Started: Friday, 29. October 2010, 08:31 (564 Views)
Derekap
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Has anyone considered that if the priest had refused her Holy Communion there may have been an unpleasant uproar by the woman and/or her husband which would have upset the calm of Holy Mass and alienated not her only but also her husband?
Derekap
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Anne-Marie

Derekap
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 16:25
Has anyone considered that if the priest had refused her Holy Communion there may have been an unpleasant uproar by the woman and/or her husband which would have upset the calm of Holy Mass and alienated not her only but also her husband?
And a good part of the congregation to boot!
Bit like pushing the self-destruct button... which just might not be the smartest way to save souls - big time!!!
Anne-Marie
FIAT VOLUNTAS DEI
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Eileenanne

Mairtin
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 14:50
Eileenanne
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 10:39
My point Alpac, is that the priest must show GENUINE compassion and love, which would seek to bring the woman into the Church. Only false or superficial compassion and love would allow her to continue in error.
I'm struggling to see the logic of your argument. What do yo regard as false or superficial about the priest's compassion? What makes you think he is not seeking to bring the woman into the Church?
Mairtin,

Since none of us knows exactly what is going on between the priest and the couple concerned the whole thread is speculation. I have no problem with speculating, but neither does that preclude saying what I think OUGHT to happen - which is exactly what I have been doing.

It would be superficial compassion if the priest were to be shying away from inviting the woman to become Catholic for fear of upsetting her in the short term. I have stressed in my previous posts the need for great sensitivity in handling this situation so that it is used as an opportunity to welcome the lady into the Church properly rather than provoke a confrontation that could put her off for ever. That's why I believe the husband's role might be crucial.

Anne Marie and Derekap,

I can imagine very few scenarios where ANY priest - even the most insensitive - would PUBLICLY refuse Communion to ANYONE. Even notorious public sinners, such as politicians who openly approve abortion are supposed to get a warning.

Eileenanne
Edited by Eileenanne, Sunday, 31. October 2010, 17:11.
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Rose of York
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What if this was not about a woman who has just been through a traumatic bereavement? Should parish priests adjust Church law to suit individuals and the parishioners who might object if he is obedient to the bishops?

Do we want to end up with a situation in which Holy Communion can be regularly received in our churches by all non Catholic Christians who believe in transubstantiation, ornon Catholic Christians whether or not they believe in transubstantiation, or just throw it open to everybody in the congregation, irrespective of Christian belief, some of whom will think everybody else is going up for a little round wafer and it is obviously what they should do?

I would not want to be in this particular priest's position, nor do I want to witness anarchy and mob rule in the Church. Obedience is not always pharisaical.
Keep the Faith!

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Eileenanne

Rose of York
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 17:11

I would not want to be in this particular priest's position, nor do I want to witness anarchy and mob rule in the Church. Obedience is not always pharisaical.
I agree.
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Mairtin
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Derekap
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 16:25
Has anyone considered that if the priest had refused her Holy Communion there may have been an unpleasant uproar by the woman and/or her husband which would have upset the calm of Holy Mass and alienated not her only but also her husband?
I know this couple well enough to be certain that they wouldn't cause any kind of public unpleasantness, they would simply stop attending our church and that would almost certainly be the end of her becoming a Catholic.
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Mairtin
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Eileenanne
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 17:09
Since none of us knows exactly what is going on between the priest and the couple concerned the whole thread is speculation.
Yes, but that doesn't stop us exploring the issues involved.
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Mairtin
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Rose of York
Sunday, 31. October 2010, 17:11
Do we want to end up with a situation in which Holy Communion can be regularly received in our churches by all non Catholic Christians who believe in transubstantiation, ornon Catholic Christians whether or not they believe in transubstantiation, or just throw it open to everybody in the congregation, irrespective of Christian belief, some of whom will think everybody else is going up for a little round wafer and it is obviously what they should do?
My own opinion is that the answer should lie somewhere between what we have now and what you have described above.

If someone wants to receive Holy Communion and will do so in a respectful and reverend manner, if they perhaps are not totally convinced about the Real Presence but regard receiving Holy Communion as a moment of supreme intimacy between themselves and Jesus, then I see lots of potential benefit in that struggle to find anything profane or sinful in it.
Edited by Mairtin, Sunday, 31. October 2010, 19:54.
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