Posted on 08/31/2006 8:24:33 AM PDT by NYer
Thus says from my Li’l Bro Thom, no Bush-lover, he, who very much appreciated seeing this:
Non-Catholics and Catholics who have not yet gone through the process of formally receiving the sacrament of reconciliation and their first communion, but who wish to “participate” in that part of the Mass are invited to process to the minister dispensing the Holy Eucharist with their hands crossed upon their chest (not a humiliation, but a practical measure, so that there may be no confusion on the priest’s part that they are NOT receiving the Eucharist), whereupon the priest will simply touch his hand to their head and ask God’s blessing upon them. Here we see President and Mrs. Bush doing it the way we ask it to be done, and believe me we surely appreciate and honor their respectfulness.
That “arrogant” president, Bush, did Catholics the world over honor when he respected our ways.
And here we see how a Non-catholic disrespectfully communes at Mass:
Bill Clinton, obviously. A Southern Baptist with a penchant for carrying around big bibles took communion during a Roman Catholic Mass in Africa in 1998. When New York’s Cardinal John O’ Connor, doing his job, called Clinton on it, he was told that his (Cardinal John O’ Connor’s) understanding was deficient. “They do things differently in Africa,” was the answer from the Clinton administration. When pressed on the fact that even the African Bishops Conference complained about it, things devolved into “well, we understood it this way…”
The transcript: Clinton Press Sec’y Mike McCurry and the press (all boldface emphasis added - admin)
Q: …as you know, Cardinal O’Connor had some very strong things to say yesterday about the President’s taking of communion. In that light, I wanted to ask you three things. One, the Cardinal suggested that no one should take communion who’s not in a state of grace. Did the President feel he was in a state of grace, one? Two, does he regret taking communion? And three, the White House suggested it had contact with officials at the church who thought it appropriate but the pastor has said he was not one of them. Can you give us some names of who said it was okay?
MCCURRY: …our team on the ground indicated that the conference of bishops in South Africa had a more ecumenical view of the holy eucharist and had advised members of the traveling party it was appropriate for baptized Christians to share in communion. And the President acted on that guidance…And that includes the priest, and I thought also the bishop who officiated as well, is my understanding, but we can double check that.
[…]
Q: It’s a question about what the Cardinal is saying.
MCCURRY: Cardinal O’Connor may not be familiar with the doctrinal attitude towards the holy eucharist that the conference of bishops in South Africa brings to that question.
Q: The South African bishops have apparently now criticized the minister for having offered communion to the President or permitted him to take it. Does the White House have any reaction?
MCCURRY: I’m not aware of that. That’s contrary to the guidance that the President and his traveling delegation were given at the time of the service.
Q: Well, apparently they say he was supposed to have asked the local bishop for permission before permitting the President to take communion.
MCCURRY: Our understanding was that the invitation was extended on behalf of the Conference of South African Bishops.
Q: Mike, can you be specific about who extended it?
MCCURRY: I can find out if our advance people have got any idea who they spoke with.
Q: As I understand it, only Catholics are supposed to receive Catholic communion. Did that come up in the President’s mind?
MCCURRY: That is the attitude and posture of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops, but our understanding is that the Conference of Bishops in South Africa have a different view of holy communion.
All so very vague, all so very arrogant…”someone told us…this was indicated…I’ll have to see if we know any names…” and “I’m not aware of that,” which seems to mean “that can’t be true…” It was all so very typical of that president and his administration which never admitted a mistake, not even one time. And boy, the press sure hates the Bush administration for not “admitting to mistakes…”. But different presidents, different letters after the name…they get treated differently, after all.
But you know, I don’t think I ever heard the besotted press call Clinton arrogant. “Not even one time.”
I’m frankly surprised to see that the issue came up at all, but then John O’ Connor was mighty, mighty - an enormous and heroic presence - and no one to be simply dismissed. Sadly, his successor - who hides out in his seat and keeps his mouth shut - seems to be a self-protective, aching void of a man. And we in NY feel the void keenly. I miss Cardinal O’ Connor.
For doing his job, Cardinal O’ Connor was also, apparently, targeted by the Clinton White House for surveillance.
This huge Clinton surveillance scheme was VAAPCON, the Violence Against Abortion Providers Task Force. According to the U.S. Justice Department, VAAPCON “was charged with determining whether there was a nationwide conspiracy to commit acts of violence against reproductive health care providers.” The more than 900 targets of all this surveillance included the Christian Coalition…the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and even then-Roman Catholic Cardinal of New York John O’Connor.
[…]
So if you were close to the late Cardinal O’Connor, or called him to discuss personal or family problems – even personal sins – to him, you may have been wiretapped and recorded by the Clinton’s VAAPCON surveillance. In that sense, the Clinton administration may have literally bugged the confessional.
That’s stretching it a bit, but the fact remains that America’s formost prelate seemed to pay a price for asking the president to just, you know…act respectable.
John Cardinal Connor, Priest, Patriot, Veteran and Holy Man - pray for us.
They lied to me. I figured a non-priest couldn't give me any more of a blessing than saying "gesundheit" when I sneezed, but they told me that they could.
This is harsh, but they are apostate and if they haven't confessed they should not receive communion. They can have their nibbles in their own churches. The Episcopal church did not used to be an open table...
Ah, so it's one of that very small number of instances where we Antiochians follow the Slavic rather than the Greek usage. (I used to know two others, but I've forgotten what they are.)
Not necessarily. There is an amusing story from Old Russia about its application to priests:
In a seminary class led by the local archbishop, the canons surrounding the celebration of the Eucharist were being taught. When the requirement to abstain from marital relations from Vespers the night before was brought up, one young seminarian was quite upset.
"But. . .but. . .Fr. Sergei, back in my village. . .he celebrates liturgy every morning. . . you mean he never. . . "
The archbishop (himself a celibate, like all Orthodox bishops) looked over his glasses at the young man, and asked, "And for what purpose did the Good Lord make the afternoon?"
I really liked receiving a blessing...and I used the option when a few weeks ago I couldn't make it to Confession and knew that I shouldn't receive the Eucharist. I am going to consult the Catechism to see what it says. I assumed that if we were doing this it was OK.
He shamed them into standing up. It takes something to shame those two.I remember thinking the only way they got into the cathedral was because the cardinal was dead
Do you remember after flight 800 went down, Clinton said he was going to come to NYC and comfort the families. As I recall the cardinal told him if he did, he would not be seen with him. I also remember he would not allow Gerald Ferrio (sp) to speak in the cathedral.
They dont make they like that anymore.
I always thought Rudy was what made NY so appealing to me; that he made NY great -- even though he cross dressed on Saturday Nite Live, even though he was liberal to the rest of us, Rudy said, "Not in my city!" to the sickening sacrilege that was on its way to one of the museums late in the 1990's...and Rudy was the right man to be in charge of NY on 9/11...he is a human being first, a politician second, and I value that...
But, on reflection, perhaps what made NY great to me is Cardinal O'Connor; and perhaps he is what made Rudy great, too.
Oh, yes they do! JPII's kids...just watch 'em.
"Ah, so it's one of that very small number of instances where we Antiochians follow the Slavic rather than the Greek usage. (I used to know two others, but I've forgotten what they are.)"
Must be an American/Slav thing. We have a number of young, old country Lebanese who don't cross their arms (nor do our resident Ethiopians or the lone Egyptian), but now that you mention it, we have a young American Antiochian woman who attends the Liturgy at our parish during the college year and she does cross her arms...but we all still have to know to give the priest our name if he doesn't know it, rather like the lodge password! :)
"In the Eastern Catholic Churches, the children accompany their parents up for communion. The priest blesses each child by touching the communion cup to their head. It is a beautiful and reverent practice that recognizes them as members of the congregation. I have never seen an adult go up though, for a blessing."
That's nearly the way an Orthodox priest would bless someone who wasn't Orthodox or for some reason (cohabiting for example)would be barred from Communion. In Orthodoxy, "First Communion", along with Chrismation, is given at Baptism. I have seen Orthodox priests simply bless adults on a number of occassions, the majority of which I suspect because of some irregularity of life or life style of which the priest is aware.
"The archbishop (himself a celibate, like all Orthodox bishops) looked over his glasses at the young man, and asked, "And for what purpose did the Good Lord make the afternoon?""
That's absolutely wonderful!!!!!!!!!
It was really very very funny, but at one point GW got serious and called all to remember the late Cardinal O Connor and his respect for life.
The audience were on their feet cheering.
It was a wonderful moment.
I was speaking with someone who is something of an insider regarding the dinner and if I recall correctly they decided not to invite the candidates in 04 because Kerry would have to be permitted to speak.
This is the 'slippery slope' of instituting EMHCs. Some approach this ministry with the proper dignity and respect it deserves; others view it as volunteer work and others as a power trip. This ministry has led to so many abuses that belittle the Sacrament. There really is no need for this ministry. I once watched two priests distribute communion - and only on the tongue! - to a church packed with 400+ congregants. It took no more than 15 minutes. What's the big rush, anyway?
This ministry also feeds into the agendas of certain bishops who downplay the role of the priest. They justify this by claiming that few young men are interested in ordination (this, after they turn away the more orthodox youth).
So now that Salvation has provided you with the information regarding EMHCs, it's incumbent on you to share it with those in your parish. Good luck ;-)
I wonder why the African priest gave Clinton Holy Communion, knowing Clinton was not a Catholic.
You're right! They weren't all Roman Catholic. For the first 1000 years following the death and resurrection of our Lord, ALL christians were Catholic, from both Roman and Eastern Rites.
One of our Melkite parishioners always approaches communion with her arms crossed.
Oh, you know us wacky Southern Baptists. After carrying around our "big bibles", our arms are too tired to cross them. The Methodists (Bush) obviously don't have this problem.
And, equally, for the first 1000 years all Christians were Orthodox (except the ones I wouldn't call Orthodox, and you wouldn't call Catholic either--Arians, pneumatomachians, monophysites, Nestorians, Montanists, Paulicans, . . .).
Sure they do! Some, like Fr. Altier, are silenced by their bishops. Others are bishops! Do a google search on Bishop Frederick Henry. Gotta love him!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.