November 13, 2015 The Worthy Reception of the Eucharist Neglected at the Synod Fr. Regis Scanlon, O.F.M. Cap The 2015 October Synod on the Family has ended. So, what came out of it? A final document was handed to Pope Francis that was a fine academic treatise on the family. But media reports say that Cardinals, archbishops and theologians are still wrestling over whether the Synod opened a way for “some” divorced and irregularly married couples to be able to receive communion. But this question pales in significance compared to another fact, namely, that the Synod omitted any discussion of Canons 915 and 916 of the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983 by John Paul II. It’s important to say, first of all, that the Code of Canon Law isn’t some stuffy collection of “do’s and don’ts.” Since Christ established the Church, she has been collecting rules and directions of right conduct under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For centuries these directives have been collected and codified in an orderly way, using the principles of both civil and ecclesiastical law to express divine truths. Therefore, the Code of Canon Law is no less than the “road map” established by the Holy Spirit to guide the Church! How would Canons 915 and 916 have been relevant to the work of the Synod? It’s no secret today that everywhere people are coming to communion indiscriminately—including manifest sinners—which is a sacrilege. Canons 915 and 916 point out the duty of the pastors to prevent these abuses of the Eucharist. This widespread ignorance, or indifference, to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is one of the greatest scandals of our age. But, this “abuse scandal” is one that few Catholics notice and most pastors seem either unconcerned or wish would go away. How did it begin? Why does it persist? I believe we can trace this fundamental offense to God—the practice of indiscriminate communions, and receiving the Eucharist indifferently—to one source: Many, if not most, bishops are not enforcing Canons 915 and 916 of the Code of Canon Law. If they did, the conversation at the Synod would have been very different. For example, bishops who argued for opening communion to some couples in irregular marriages would have been required to hold their ideas up to the light of Canons 915 and 916. In other words, their standards would have to include discussions of the sacredness of the Eucharist and the necessity to make good confessions and avoid “grave sin.” But these fundamental ideas were not the focus of the Synod’s discussion. Rather the concern seem to be—how do people feel and what do people want? I believe this omission reveals, not only a Church struggling to be honest, but also a Church where many appear to be languishing in doubt about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and doubts about the possibility of eternal punishment. The Church Struggles to be HonestFirst of all, what does Canons 915 and 916 of the Code of Canon Law say? Canon 915 states that those “who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion.” Canon 916 states that “a person who is conscious of grave sin is not to celebrate Mass or receive the Body of the Lord without prior sacramental confession.” However, it is obvious that Canon 916 also requires an action on the part of the pastor, for it is his responsibility to inform parishioners about Canon 916 and specifically when they can or cannot come up to receive communion. For example, parishioners need to be told frequently through homilies, etc., that they cannot come to communion if they are living in fornication, adultery, or using contraceptives without changing their lifestyle and receiving sacramental absolution. As for Canon 915, its importance was made especially clear for the Church when John Paul II affirmed it in his 2003 encyclical letter, “The Eucharist and the Church.” And, on June 24, 2000 the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts spelled out the way Canon 915 is to be applied when it insisted that in those cases in which dialogue and explanations do not help “the minister of communion must refuse to distribute it to those who are publicly unworthy.” Finally, the Vatican issued its document Redemptionis Sacramentum on March 25, 2004, which pointed out those who are responsible for stopping people from coming to communion “indiscriminately” and abusing the Eucharist. The Vatican stated: “It pertains to the Pastors prudently and firmly to correct such an abuse (# 81- 83). So Canons 915 and 916 were designed to stop not only the many divorced and irregularly “remarried” already receiving communion, but also other people engaged in morally irregular lifestyles, such as politicians who support abortion and same-sex “marriage,” and who, as we all know, continue to receive communion with seemingly clear consciences. However, neither Canon 915 nor Canon 916 has been used effectively. It’s common knowledge that politicians and other public figures, who are known for their anti-life policy positions, receive communion without any challenge. Many people, well known and not, receive communion indiscriminately at weddings, funerals, and holidays—whenever circumstances “force” them into a Catholic church. We also know Canon 915 is not having its effect because a number of cardinals and bishops have stated time and time again that they have no intention of barring anyone from communion, even pro-abortion politicians. Given their mindset, it’s highly unlikely these same leaders would be regularly reminding their congregations about Canon 916 and cautioning them that they cannot receive the Eucharist if, for example, they are using contraception or living in an adulterous relationship. more..... http://www.crisismagazine.com/2015/the-worthy-reception-of-the-eucharist-neglected-at-the-synod
I always find Holy Communion the saddest part of the Mass. All I can think of is the all of the sacrilege and desecration of Our Lord's body that is going on. The confession lines before Mass are only a few people and yet everyone receives. Are we really that much more holy than our ancestors? I understand the idea of not denying Holy Communion because you can't see the condition of a person's soul, but it is also the priests duty to protect the Sacred Species. There should be much more education of the laity about reception of Holy Communion. On a personal note I was away from the Church for many years, living the way the world expects us to, shacking up with a series of different girlfriends among other sins. Occasionally for different reasons I would wind up back at church with my family for holidays, etc. When it came time to receive Holy Communion I never went up. On some level I still believed and knew it would be wrong to go. I think this small show of respect to God was one of the things that caused Him to give me my faith back in a miraculous way. God can take the tiniest good and magnify it, in my case I am sure His Mother interceded for me and pleaded my case that this small act showed I was redeemable. Thank you Mary.
1Co 11:27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 1Co 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 1Co 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 1Co 11:30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 1Co 11:31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 1Co 11:32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
May Jesus and Mary continue to draw you into the fathomless depths of His Love! Safe on the Father's Lap!
So how do we deal with this, today's breaking news ?!? (And please, PLEASE don't try to blame this on media spin, folks.) View attachment 3715
Putting up a cartoon in response to this is pointless. The equivalent of junior school name calling. It gets us nowhere. My own immediate response is to wonder if it is true or not and to investigate. Then to take it from there.
I have been watching Michael Voris by accident tonight and his converage of the Synod, he asked some very good and deep questions. When we loose the ability to ask questions and respond by posting cartoons we might as well give up. Michael Voris was asking some of the same questions I do.
Sorry you feel its name calling. Was not my intent. Basically (for all not familiar with this game) one person is spun round and round to be slightly disoriented. They are blind folded beforehand. Then given a pin with a ribbon and pointed to the wall with the donkey picture. Whoever gets closest to the donkeys rear...wins! Its kinda how I see all these press reports and posts on Papa Francis...sooner or later the pins ribbon will meet the tail....Im not name calling just giving a graphic illustration to what im seeing, its been going on for many months now. It seems its better to call the Pope out now instead of waiting for Papas' wisdom to shine one us?
I pray that it is not true. Otherwise, we trust the Holy Spirit to guide the Church despite a Pope that privately isn't entirely in line with the truth. It has happened before. The problem NOW is that such statements are broadcast all over the world and cause mass confusion. Come to think of it, it causes mass confusion whether it is true or not.
We have to find out if it is true or not. Not always an easy path. My concern is that time after time we have had reports of bizarrare and truly troubling off the cuff comments and remarks like this. I am sadly having to face up to real probabilty that the Pope who is neither stupid or incompetant is doing these things with care and consideration and changing things on the hoof. It is the only logical conclusion. We are getting False Doctrine placed in front of us a sound bite. I hope this is not true. I hope. But my hope grows weaker. We can't go on burying our heads in the sand and pretending they are not happening. It is. My one question to people who write these things of time and time and time again is at what point do come to when you say, 'No I am not having anymore of this kind of thing! It is wrong!'
..and when we do get glosses and 'explanations ' from the Vatican Press Office I have to say I am finding them less and less convincing. In fact I simply do not trust the Vatican Press Office. I do not trust them one bit.
If you don't trust the Vatican Press office, why do you doubt Papa Francis, its been reported he doesn't put the tweets out himself....be patient my friend
Fool me once fool you, fool me twice fool me. There is a long, long history of these kinds of very harmful off the cuff remarks. I can't believe this is some kind of coincidence or accident. It can only point in one direction; that these kind of things are quite deliberate and with an agenda. Jesus never taught us to be patient with evil .
O Padraig- help me to understand your comment. When you say it points in one direction are you saying it's Pope Francis?
I am very, very concerned along with many, many Bishops, Cardinals, priests and many, many millions of ordinary Catholics...
I just deleted my initial reply. I need to really pray and reflect upon what you have just posted. Peace.
