|
This is an absolute statement.
You can take it to the bank. If you accept this statement (and
I think you should for the simple reason that it is true), you
should no longer be confused.
In regard to the anger, please
ask yourself whether you are angry at the priests for giving
these persons Communion or at the persons themselves for coming
up for Communion.
If you feel angry at the priests,
is it because you think the priests know the laws of the Church
in regard to eligibility for Holy Communion but blatantly ignore
them? If this is the case, then your anger is justified. Let
your just anger lead you to appropriate action. But don’t
presume that any priest “blatantly ignores them”. With
great courtesy and respect, approach the priest and tell him
what you feel and what you think. He may have some good reason
for doing what he is doing. Knowing the law is a science; applying
the law is an art. Listen to what he has to say to you in reply.
If you come away from the conversation still convinced that the
priest is blatantly ignoring the law, then bring the matter up
to some other priests for their advice and / or intervention
and, perhaps, ultimately to the Bishop.
But, if you don’t get
any satisfaction in this life, you may take some consolation
from these words spoken by St. John Chrysostom: The road to hell
is paved with the bones of priests and lined with the skulls
of bishops. ( John Chrysostom is not the patron saint of the
Sunshine and Roses Club.)
If, on the other hand, you feel angry at the persons who, although
ineligible, come forward to receive Communion, keep in mind that
these persons are either unaware of the laws of the Church or
else, being aware, blatantly ignore them.
If they are unaware, then
you should go to your parish priest and humbly beseech him to
put something into the bulletin about the laws that govern eligibility
for receiving Holy Communion or else say something about it from
the pulpit — or both. You might also want to consider speaking
directly and politely and intelligently to the persons themselves
— but only if you can do so without fisticuffs and without
violating the basic norms of charity!
If these persons are aware
of the laws of the Church but choose to ignore them, is the priest
obliged to refuse them Holy Communion? The answer is this: If
there is public scandal, then the priest is obliged to refuse.
If there is not public scandal, then the priest may — with
fear and trembling — give the ineligible persons Holy Communion.
Why? Because God has apparently turned these persons over to
the wickedness of their own conceits and is allowing them to
pile up the evidence that will condemn them. Strangely enough,
God does deal in such a way with those who sin against the Holy
Ghost. The fainthearted might think otherwise, but the truth
is that “our God is a consuming fire”. Notice we are
not talking here about how God deals with “simple sinners”,
i.e. persons who are weak or dumb or a sandwich short of a picnic.
We are talking here about persons who, with all cylinders firing,
consciously and deliberately defy the Church of God and use the
reception of Holy Communion as a means whereby they can profane
the Body and Blood of the Lord. So, if you think about it, what
is the point in being angry with people like that? Your anger
is nothing in comparison to what they will ultimately have to
face.
If, after reading this, you are still confused and / or angry,
please let me know.
In Christ Jesus –
EBC
P.S. Please, please, please
(with whipped cream and sugar on it) get in touch with your parish
priest (or some priest or deacon) about the annulments. There
is no such thing as “can’t afford” in regard to
annulments. The truth is that you can’t afford not to pursue
the annulments. Trust me! Get in touch with your parish priest.
Do it now. I really mean it. Like really mean it! |
%20Jan%202007/abu076.gif){kind=small}
Saturday, 28 February