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The bishops, who announced to journalists following their return from their ad limina visit to Rome that they have secured Curial backing for their plans, have also secured the necessary permission for the Protestant partner in a mixed marriage to receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church.

I don't know if this is true or not, but didn't Tony Blair take Communion, however long ago that was? And wasn't the Holy Eucharist distributed to him in the Vatican? Don't know that for sure, but that's what's been reported here on FR, and I've seen people defend, but not refute it. And, in light of that, and if this story is true, it should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone.

The RCC closest to me, and which by all rights I should attend, based on the rules, has allowed a female pastoral associate to deliver the homily. I do not make that title up, it is the title listed for her in that Church bulletin.

I've only been there once when it occured, so maybe it was just for that time, as the pastoral associate was leaving the parish for another suburban parish, due to a promotion to a position in the pastoral leadership group there; whatever that means. I think it means defacto, back door, women priests, but I might be viewing this with a cyncial and maybe less than charitable eye, so maybe I'm wrong.

The general secretary of the Swiss bishops' conference, Agnell Rickenmann, said that the two declarations were partly a response to the shortage of priests in Switzerland, but also reflected the Swiss Church's "independence". He said: "In Switzerland we have a 30-year tradition of theologically trained lay people active in the Church."

Kolo, thanks for the ping and question for you here, is this independence, as it is defined here, consistent with the independence more common to Orthodoxy, and it's relationship with her Bishops? Also, but not related, does Lent take place the exact same time for the Orthodox as it does for us?

The head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, had told the Swiss bishops that in emergency cases lay theologians could hold a "brief sermon-like discourse" or a meditation based on the Mass for the day but that this should not be allowed to become the "general norm".

If there ever was a truer case of BWAAHAAAA!, I'm not aware of it. Talk about NOT!

For what it's worth, I'm against reconciliation of the Orthodox with us for the simple reason of preservation of Tradition, and keeping what is Holy, Holy.

We would pollute Orthodoxy, and then have to commence almost immediately on the endless and thankless task of unpolluting it.

I guess we can consider this our Lenten gift from the Curia. Pardon the language, Kolo, but my BS buffers are nearing capacity.

"I don't know if this is true or not, but didn't Tony Blair take Communion, however long ago that was? And wasn't the Holy Eucharist distributed to him in the Vatican? Don't know that for sure, but that's what's been reported here on FR, and I've seen people defend, but not refute it. And, in light of that, and if this story is true, it should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone."

Well, AG, it surprised me, but then again my knowledge of the Roman Church ended pretty much pre-Vatican II, until I signed up with FR.

" is this independence, as it is defined here, consistent with the independence more common to Orthodoxy, and it's relationship with her Bishops? Also, but not related, does Lent take place the exact same time for the Orthodox as it does for us?"

No, not at all. I am unaware that the Roman Church in Switzerland has received a tomos of autocephally from Rome. Now could an Orthodox Autocephallous Church allow for lay people giving sermons? I suppose it could, but I don't know. I do know that it is forbidden in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and in all Churches under the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Open Communion with Protestants would be a different issue entirely. In fact, I cannot see how it can be anything other than a scandalous heresy. Some years ago the Orthodox Churches met to decide if it would be appropriate to give communion to Roman Catholics and allow reception of the same in Roman Churches by Orthodox people by economia. After much discussion, it was determined that there was no consensus among the Churches and so the answer was no. At about the same time, perhaps a bit later, it was decided to have inter communion with the Monophysites by economia. If an Orthodox Church were to announce that it would begin intercommunion with Rome on any grounds other than economia, that would be heresy; if on the grounds of economia, it would mean schism. No one can rightfully approach the Holy Mysteries unless they have suitably prepared themselves by confession, prayer, fasting and the living of an Orthodox life and thus approach "With fear, belief and love". The belief is in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. How could any Protestant meet these requirements, even under economia? Now if any Autocephallous Orthodox Church, any Autonomous Orthodox Church or any Eparchy were to announce that it would begin communing Protestants, it would be declared heretical and Anathema. And that, as they say, would be that.

Our Great Lent commences March 14. Easter this year will be May 1, just after Passover.