Memo from Los Angeles Archdiocese re: Communion/purification (Mahony Alert!)

Closed Cafeteria ^ | October 27, 2006 | Gerald Augustinus

[NYer]

I received the following memo via email. The person doesn't have an access to a scanner until Monday, so here is the text in regular form as the person copied it. I cannot vouch for the authenticity but have no reason to believe that it is fabricated. Certainly, one can interpret it favorably ... a big archdiocese needs time, they don't want to rush things and so forth. But. This is Cardinal Kool Aide/Wicker Basket.

Update: according to a reader "No one has mentioned that the indult had expired in March of 2005. The memo seems misleading to suggest the 2002 indult has been in effect after March of 2005."

Update 2: I have a copy of the actual Diocese of Orange memo on this subject, stating the same. See below or follow the link

Curt Jester argues that the indult was only sought because American dioceses "overdid" the EMHC situation in the first place.

To: Pastors, Administrators, Deacons, Parish Staffs, and Principals
From: Msgr. Royal M. Vadakin, Moderator of the Curia/Vicar General
Date: October 27, 2006
Subject: Holy Communion: An Update

Cardinal Roger Mahony and the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles would like all in the Archdiocese to be made aware of what follows in this update.

You may wish to share this with your parishioners and those who find this policy update clarifying and of assistance in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Cardinal Mahony and the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles have received a letter written on Oct. 23 by Bishop William S. Skylstad, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, notifying bishops of a change in the indult -- or church permission -- in effect since 2002 which allows extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to help cleanse cups and plates when there are not enough priests or deacons to do so.

According to his letter, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, asked Pope Benedict XVI about the matter during a June 9 audience, “and received a response in the negative.”

Receiving Holy Communion under both kinds remains a “more complete” sign of the sacrament’s meaning and continues to be the norm in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Until Cardinal Mahony and the auxiliary bishops have the opportunity to discuss the new recommendations, both locally and at the general meeting of the USCCB in November, no changes will be made regarding the present policy for the distribution of Holy Communion and/or the purification of the sacred vessels.

[rogator]

"How old IS Mahoney, anyway?"

Not old enough. He has several years to go unless he gets indicted or something.

[ichabod1]

In the Episcopal church they used to say something I loved: "The Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee. Preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life." Wow, I just broke out in gooseflesh thinking about it. They don't say it any more. They don't believe it either, I don't think.

[Dominick]

You can't run from or two the same Church. If one does not suit you, then that is your business. People at a parish are a problem, if the people at a Parish are rude like theat then leave.

I am more worried about heritical teaching in these Churches and where EE"M"Cs get a superiority complex with the Eucharist.

If you are making some point that either Church is invalid or departing from Catholicism it then becomes something to address.

[ichabod1]

No, it was only a figure of speech. I'm leaving because I can't suffer the homosexuality, the casual heresy, the EMOEs, the communion in the hand. The white wine. The lousy music (some of it is good but some is horrible). And so on.

I'm running toward two churches, one Anglican Use, the other very traditional. I love them both.

I'm a new Catholic. I can't stand up and denounce what I see at St. Annes. Not yet, anyway.

[ichabod1]

Oh, I get your point -- One Holy Catholic Church. Absolutely. Very much so. All three are Roman Catholic. I wouldn't consider anything else.

[murphE]

... which allows extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to help cleanse cups and plates when there are not enough priests or deacons to do so.

Again with the cups and plates. Cardinal "in full communion with Rome" Mahony.

[rogator]

"In the Episcopal church they used to say something I loved: "The Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for thee. Preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life."

In the TLM they say (in Latin)

May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul unto eternal life.

I would guess this is where the Episcopal folks got it.

[livius]

You know they won't because that would restrict the 'freedom' of using EMHCs.

I think a lot of this pseudo-problem comes down to that. These gals (I know, there are guys, too) are vitally important to the modernist campaign to devalue the priesthood and take away its distinctiveness. But I think it goes beyond that, to turn into what is essentially an attack on the Sacrament itself. Denigrating the reality of the consecrated species by refusing to provide any special treatment is essentially just another way of trying to bring Catholic teaching in line with the Protestant "symbolic memorial meal" concept.

[Dominick]

From THE EUCHARIST: SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF THE LIFE AND MISSION OF THE CHURCH INSTRUMENTUM LABORIS Source (July 2005):

40. Some Lineamenta responses, however, mention that, at times, a certain way of acting indicates that transubstantiation and the Real Presence are understood in a symbolic sense only. Many responses noted that some celebrants at the liturgy seem more like showmen, who must draw people’s attention to themselves, instead of servants of Christ, called to conduct the faithful to union with him. Obviously, such a way of acting has negative repercussions on the people who run the risk of being confused in both their faith in and understanding of the Real Presence of Christ in the Sacrament.

True and proper liturgical signs and gestures, aimed at expressing faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, have been used in Church tradition, for example, the attentive purification of sacred vessels after communion, the steps to be taken when the Eucharistic species might accidentally fall to the floor, genuflections before the tabernacle, the use of the communion plate, the regular replacement of consecrated hosts reserved in the tabernacle, the keeping of the tabernacle key in a secure place and the celebrant’s composure and concentration in keeping with the transcendent and divine character of the Sacrament. Omitting or neglecting any of these sacred gestures, which are significantly important externally, would clearly not contribute to preserving a sound faith in Christ’s Real Presence in the Sacrament. The responses therefore suggest that the gestures and signs expressing faith in the Real Presence be included in a proper mystagogy and liturgical catechesis.

The cleaning of cups and plates not withstanding, the real presence is demonstrated by purification in front of the assembled faithful. Everyone sees that only the Priest or Deacons can be entrusted with this task, and not lay "ministers". I think it addresses two issues, Priests and lay people being unequal in trust, and the real presence.

[livius]

You're very fortunate to have such choices in your area! I had a horrible experience at the NO mass today that made me resolve never to go to another one, but I have few choices. There's an Old Mass about an hour away from me at 8:00 am - in an old downtown church with no community, with the Mass said (or whispered) by an ancient priest at top speed, the very sort of thing that brought on calls for reform. I may have to go to it, but it's not an ideal solution.

[livius]

Satan sure looks after his own. Mahony seems to feel utterly confident that he can flout anything that comes from Rome, without consequence, and so far he seems to have gotten away with it.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Seriously, I don't know how that man keeps his job.

It is called "satan" ...

Seriously. My trad priest thinks he is "gone", as in full scale voluntary possession.

[vox_freedom]

Again with the cups and plates. Cardinal "in full communion with Rome" Mahony.

It's now a "meal" dontchaknow. That "sacrifice" and cross was all so pre-Vat2 and we've all moved beyond that gory "body and blood" stuff.
Besides, it turned-off the protestants...//sarc off

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Mahony has powerful friends in high and low places.

[livius]

Yes. I also see him as sort of the evil spider at the center of the web. So many of the bad guys in the church have been and are connected to him.

[rogator]

"I also see him as sort of the evil spider at the center of the web. "

I see him as Bernardin's ideological successor. He seemed to assume command of the Modernist movement in the U.S. subsequent to Bernardine's departure.

[Maeve]

That is a good point, my dear Salvation. We must pray very fervently for his re-conversion and leave our prayers in God's hands. (Personally I believe he is possessed by the enemy and failing exorcism is lost.) Our prayers for him should also include prayers that any evil he seeks to do be thwarted and all such schemes confounded by the power of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

[murphE]

Mahony has powerful friends in high and low places.

"Well, I wouldn't call the Cardinal a friend, he's more like a business associate of ours."

[Jaded]

I told our brand new Benedictine Priest that I would give up being an EOM for Latin. He smiled

[Notwithstanding]

"We are more Catholic than the Pope - no need to change a thing."