Posted on 10/31/2010 2:24:53 PM PDT by markomalley
St. Paul, Minn. — Church officials denied communion Sunday to a small group of Catholics who wore rainbow sashes to mass at the St. Paul Cathedral.
The sashes were meant to send a statement of support for same-sex marriage. The protest has been an annual event for a decade. Each year organizers ask the archbishop in a letter for permission to participate in the eucharist while wearing a rainbow sash.
A St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese spokesman said it would be sacrilege to give the eucharist to people who are using communion to make a political statement.
"There's no question that they're free to receive communion without the sash. But they're wearing the sash to advance their own protest," said archdiocese spokesman Dennis McGrath. "And communion time must never be used for a political or protest statement. It's that simple."
Brendt Vanderlinden was among those who wore a rainbow sash. He said church officials politicized the eucharist with a recent mailing of anti-same-sex marriage DVDs to thousands of church members.
"We're saying that by sending out the DVD and taking a strong stand on something that is really a civil political issue," Vanderlinden said. "You know, whether the state is going to legalize gay marriage is a civil political issue. The church doesn't have to take any stand on that."
Vanderlinden said he and his wife wore sashes to show support for their son, who is gay.
Another example of enabling parents.
By the way, John Ankerberg just did an excellant program about homosexuality, debunking the myths promoted by the gay agenda. If it is on in your area look it up, the program will help clear some of the cobwebs of gay deception.
Exactly. Sounds like beating around the bush so as to avoid sounding like a homophobe [sic].
A couple you missed while picking and choosing.
"Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them." Matthew 7:20
"And we charge you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother walking disorderly, and not according to the tradition which they have received of us." 2 Thessalonians 3:6
What about the heretic receiving the communion, sash or not?
The big thing about being someone who did wrong is that one does not have to advocate against the Lord’s word regarding something that is not correct. People can have something in their mind, which just cannot be judged. People cannot generally read minds. Evil can exist for some time amongst the good, such as wolves amongst the flock, or tares amongst wheat. But evil breaking away from good is often a process rather than an immediate event. Sashes are probably not the only offense, if one was willing to openly shout in front of the congregation, as much as wearing a particular labelled sash, either way is showing a committment which can simply not be in harmony with what the Lord teaches as correct. Heretics can repent, however, and to some extent, there is a matter between the Lord and man.
Correction: Only the Lord can know the thoughts and intentions of one’s heart.
If this same person were to present himself/herself for Holy Communion without a sash, there would be no "manifest" (outward) way to tell whether this person had repented from his dissent, or not.
We don't question each person before Communion. But before Communion the whole Congregation should be told that anyone who is in serious sin, or who dissents from the moral law, ought not to receive, but ought to remain in the pew and ask God for the grace of repentance followed by a good Confession of sin, as required by Jesus Christ.
Well said, Mrs. Don-o.
“If this same person were to present himself/herself for Holy Communion without a sash, there would be no “manifest” (outward) way to tell whether this person had repented from his dissent, or not.”
What if the person was a well known public Catholic who vocally supports/votes for “gay marriage”? Like Cuomo Jr. for instance.
Freegards
Yes, well-known, public support for violation of moral law is exactly the kind of "manifest" offense which must bar a person from Holy Communion.
Like Cuomo Jr. for instance.
“
Go Archbishop Nienstedt!!!
“
There are some churches/congregations that realize they’ve got
to stand for something.
Otherwise decay like a fair number of the liberal Protestant churches.
I have to agree with fwdude and with one other person here. Part of it is political and part of it is “sinful”.
These people should not be taking off the sash in order to receive Holy Communion. Even if they are wearing the sash to support their “gay son”. They know how the Church feels about homosexuality. They can love their son and support him, but still tell him that being a homosexual is a sin and that the Church does not tolerate this. Forcing the Church to change because their son is gay is not the way to go. Either they tell their son to cut the crap or they leave the Church. Just don’t ask the Church to change because they are gay. They know the Church’s rules and have all the years they have been going there. Hey this is a free country. Sorry Chode if I sound cold but listen, if these people want to go to hell over the homosexual agenda, then who are we to stop them?
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