Unfortunately, the funeral has been overshadowed by controversy as shown in this clip:
The Prime Minister (a Protestant) is in the front row as Archbishop Andre Richard (Moncton, New Brunswick) administers Holy Communion (note to editors - this is not "the wafer" etc. Please show some respect for our "religious sensibilities.") He receives Holy Communion into one hand, rather as if he is accepting a little souvenir token. Given the way that Holy Communion is often distributed today, that is not an unreasonable interpretation of the visible rite for someone who is not of the household of the faith.
Rumours began that Harper had put the sacred host in his pocket but this was denied by his officials who said that he had consumed the host and I think it is reasonable to trust this account. Nevertheless, the incident raises some important questions for the Church as a whole.
First, the decision to receive Holy Communion should be just that - a decision. Holy Communion should not be administered in such a way that people have to "opt out" by folding their arms across their chest and asking for a blessing or whatever. It is a matter for discussion whether people should be invited to come up and ask for a blessing but the priest (or Bishop) should not walk along a row of people at a funeral where there will usually be various people of good will who turn up to show their respects. Catholics also should examine their conscience and consider "Should I receive Holy Communion today? Am I properly disposed (and free from any unconfessed mortal sin)? Have I kept the fast? Have I prepared spiritually?
We need to get away from the idea that participation at Holy Mass necessarily involves receiving Holy Communion. It is quite proper sometimes to participate at Mass and make a spiritual communion if we do not, at the moment, have the correct dispositions. This is not "Jansenism" but simply a proper attitude to the Blessed Sacrament.
Secondly, there needs to be some advice on protocol when high-profile public figures attend Mass on a major public occasion. Although I feel a little sorry for Prime Minister Harper who has unintentionally become embroiled in a public outcry whilst sincerely carrying out a corporal work of mercy, it is surely fair to point out that the officials who have defended him could have done some homework. So here are some pointers for officials attending Mass:
1. You may join in with the prayers as you wish, according to your conscience, or you may simply be present with your own thoughts and goodwill. We respect and value your presence for the occasion.For priests (and bishops) at funerals, it is important to remember the conscience of those attending. Some people may not wish to come up for a blessing but prefer to remain where they are, with their own thoughts and prayers. If you give a blessing to people at Holy Communion (I do this but am aware that the matter is under study at the CDW) then this should be something that people choose to do, not something imposed upon them. And certainly it is imprudent to go along a row of people with the ciborium leaving them to make the decision there and then.
2. If you are not a practising Catholic, in a state of grace, and fasting for one hour beforehand, you should not receive Holy Communion. If you are mistakenly offered Holy Communion, it is perfectly proper to refuse and say "Please may I have a blessing" or, if you do not wish to receive a blessing, simply to say "I am not receiving "Holy Communion."
3. If you have voted for policies contrary to important teachings of the Catholic Church, (the liberalisation of abortion, for example) it would be proper to observe the advice in #2.
4. This guidance is offered in charity because failure to observe these points will possibly result in negative publicity which will undermine the quite proper positive public impact of your attendance.
17 comments:
I think in this case the Archbishop distributing Communion was in the wrong. He must have known the Prime Minister wasn't Catholic so why on earth is he offering him Holy Communion? I just don't get it.
I agree 100% with Catholic with Attitude. This was more than likely an "honest mistake" on the part of Mr. Harper.
I think it behooves the Archbishop to clue people in at the end of the sermon re: Holy Communion.
I recently attended a funeral and the priest did just that. People WANT to know what the protocol and rules are. You're not doing them any favors by not telling them
It saves everyone embarassment all the way around.
This is especially important at such an event like a funeral for a public person where MANY of his friends/associates/ People who may come as a public duty, etc. are likely to attend.
A rap on the nose for the Archbishop with a wet rolled up newspaper is quite in order.
Father,
Your points are good, however there's a third which would do much to keep this unfortunate incident from recurring.
Communion in the hand should be suppressed forthwith.
Absolutely Fr Tim. When we were 7 years old we never all lined up for Holy Communion row by row or indeed went to Holy Communion every Sunday as a matter of course neither did anyone else. They may have broken the fast, not been recently to confession or other reasons. But we had a moral informed conscience to determine if we were in the state of grace necessary to receive Our Lord..not the wafer like you point rightfully out. I was born in 1962 but was aware of a malfunctioning conscience in the 70s & 80s & I blame no-one but myself for that.
However it is wonderful to listen to Fr Tim giving clear instruction for the uncathechised of today & hopefully things will improve.
Really unless the lines for confession are as long as those for Holy Communion, something is amiss in our understanding of what we are doing at Holy Communion..Having politicians & other dignatries & other faiths at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is all very well, but what do they think it is?
Err sorry..bit of a rant there..
I expect that some priests don't even use a Ciborium...
I think we need to get back to basics with our catechesis. So many do not know the teachings of our Mother the Church, so in their ignorance go up for Holy Communion unaware that they are not in a position to receive it.
Maybe a list stating these conditions could be put at the entrance (porch) of every Church and handouts left at the back of the Church.
How else can those that know nothing and choose to remain ignorant learn the teachings of the Catholic Church???
Alternatively maybe our Catholic Schools could teach the children some of the basic teachings of the Church, or am I just asking for a miracle??
Here we go..another reason why communion shouldn't be given in the hand AT ALL! And as if his spokespeople would say that he did pocket the Sacred Host..of course they wouldn't say that he did. If he would have recieved it, it would be after he was given the host - common sense tell you that. I long for the days when communion on the tongue is the only way that Our Lord is recieved! Another abuse of Vatican 2!
I think that if the Priest (Bishop, whatever) knew about Prime Minister's beliefs, he commited a grave sin, acting as Judas, giving away his Master to an heretic!
I agree with CWA that the archbishop was clearly in the wrong and the priest who later excused the whole thing was also in the wrong.
Will the archbishop and the priest be dealt with appropriately or will the whole sorry happening be brushed off with a shrug?
Shepherds like these make a mockery of the Faithful who endeavour to obey the teachings of the Church often enduring the derision of the Catholics lite.
A very reasonable, charitable and helpful post on the matter, Father.
Do you not accept comments in spanish?
Diego - I do, but only if I can work out what they mean! Your last comment contained some metaphor which I did not understand and so was wary of publishing.
And what about what Fr. Arthur Bourgeois, who gave the homily at the funeral, said:
"Usually, to partake in holy communion in the Catholic Church, you have to be a member of it, but if you're not, exceptionally sometimes at major occasions (it is different)."
Oh really?
I deplore the practice in some churches of making communicants approach the sanctuary to receive row by row. This can have the effect of embarrassing those who, for one reason or another, are not of the proper disposition into receiving. Moreover I believe that it is forbidden under Canon Law.
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Interessting question but in the pastoral praxis of the liturgical celebration with non-catholics people it's hard to apply some theorical good concept.
Laudetur Iesus Christus !
Semper laudetur.
RZL - Radio Zone Libre
www.rzl.fr.fm
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Oh. I understand, Father. I'm sorry.
I said "La culpa no es del chancho, sino del que le da de comer". It is a popular saying in my country. It means: "The pig not is to blame. It is who feed it.
Greetings from Argentina.
(Sorry for my english).
Diego - thanks. I'm sure you can understand that I was a bit nervous about that!
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