Mirror of Justice

A blog dedicated to the development of Catholic legal theory.
Affiliated with the Program on Church, State & Society at Notre Dame Law School.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Catholic Liberals, the Bishops, and the Eucharist

By Steve Shiffrin

I thank Father Araujo for finding a link to the document I cited. The list of items he refers to is followed by a section on selective adherence to Church authority. There the Bishops say: “To give selective assent to the teachings of the Church not only deprives us of her life- giving message, but also seriously endangers our communion with her.

"If a Catholic in his or her personal or professional life were knowingly and obstinately to reject the defined doctrines of the Church, or knowingly and obstinately to repudiate her definitive teaching on moral issues, however, he or she would seriously diminish his or her communion with the Church. Reception of Holy Communion in such a situation would not accord with the nature of the Eucharistic celebration, so that he or she should refrain. “

 As to the requirement to believe what the Bishops say because they say so, I refer to this statement: “Bishops who teach in communion with the Roman Pontiff are to be revered by all as witnesses of divine and Catholic truth; the faithful, for their part, are obliged to submit to their bishops’ decision, made in the name of Christ, in matters of faith and morals, and to adhere to it with a ready and respectful allegiance of mind.” I would be interested to know whether those Catholics who reject the Church’s teaching on homosexuality and/or birth control should be receiving the Eucharist under this teaching. Are they not involved in selective adherence to Church doctrine?

cross-posted with elaboration at religiousleftlaw.com

https://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2010/08/i-thank-father-araujo-for-finding-a-link-to-the--document-i-cited-the-list-of-items-he-refers-to-i.html

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Here in the Diocese of Arlington, I have heard more than one priest preach from the pulpit that those using artificial contraception should not present themselves for Communion. Certainly, those engaged in homosexual activity are engaging in sexual activity outside the bonds of a valid sacramental marriage so they, like heterosexuals who have sex outside of marriage, have severely compromised their union with the Church and should not present themselves for Communion. Receiving the Body of Christ is a privilege, not a right. It must not be done casually. There are conditions necessary to worthily receive the Eucharist--including a one hour fast. The bishops have provided broad guidelines, but individuals should address their specific concerns to their confessor or spiritual director. Certainly, Christ dined with sinners, but he called them to repentance and conversion. He did not call them to embrace their sins.