Church says girl's communion not valid

[mom22belles]

for answering me Mystery Machine. I thought I was maybe imganing things.

 

[lenshanem]

I have rarely been so stunned by the lack of openmindedness on this board. SOme of you are really making me feel that Protestants are very narrowminded about faith!

In the same token, it appears the Catholic Church is very narrowminded in regard to a little girl's health when all she wanted to do was take her first communion and use a safe alternative that many other Churches recognize, including as some have stated here - even some Catholic Churches.

And yes, mom22belles the wine would be cross contaminated if the wafers had been dipped in it. I don't know about wheat allergy, but my daughter has broken out in hives from a person kissing her on the cheek and she is allergic to peanuts.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by tonyswife
Okie dokie, I'm bowing out of this thread. My intent was to try and find out why the wheat must be resent in the bread. Some people have a better idea than others and I was jut curious as to why this is uch a big deal. I'm not "bashing" anyone. M ost of my family is still Catholic, some of them practice, some of them don't. It's all good with me. I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

No offense! I was raised Catholic but am non-practicing myself. And I'm not saying what I believe, but what the Church teaches (which is what Catholics SHOULD believe, and that's a whole 'nother issue).

 

[Lanshark]

Does anyone, who is Christian, really think Jesus would care? Personally, I would think he would be exceedingly happy to have another follower no matter what she took communion with. People who get caught up in the legalisms loose sight of the big picture.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Lanshark
Does anyone, who is Christian, really think Jesus would care? Personally, I would think he would be exceedingly happy to have another follower no matter what she took communion with. People who get caught up in the legalisms loose sight of the big picture.

If you beleive in transubstantiation, than it becomes important and more than a legalism. While I don't beleive in it, I can see the logic there.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by Lanshark
Does anyone, who is Christian, really think Jesus would care?

Nope, and that is one of my problems with organized religion in general. It's all about who is right, or wrong, and not about tolerance and respect, which is what Jesus taught.

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by phillybeth
Nope, and that is one of my problems with organized religion in general. It's all about who is right, or wrong, and not about tolerance and respect, which is what Jesus taught.

I strongly disagree with this statement. There is much more to organized religions than this and most of members of organized religions are very tolerant. The problem is that the exceptions tend to be very vocal and so they get most of the attention.

Organized Religion is another way to get closer to God. It also provides tools for serving and learning about God that would not be available without organization. Its not a requirment, but it can be a very, very good thing once you find a church that best fits your spiritual journey. Its about facilitating being part of the body of Christ. For most denominations, the issue of "who's right and who's wrong" almost never comes up.

 

[CookieGVB]

Originally posted by Lanshark
Does anyone, who is Christian, really think Jesus would care? Personally, I would think he would be exceedingly happy to have another follower no matter what she took communion with. People who get caught up in the legalisms loose sight of the big picture.

I agree. I'm a Catholic, and I agree that this is a small issue when you look at the big picture. The child's faith & her health is a much larger issue - why should she be left out over something she has no control?

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by mom22belles
a question for current practising Catholics. In regards to why the girl didn't just drink the wine? Does the preist not break a small piece of the host and place it in the wine?

It has been many years since I attended mass so my memory could be clouded, but I remember this happening.
My point is if this happens then in fact there would be wheat in the wine (tiny amount) and therefore the girl couldn't have the wine.

Nancy

The priest does break the bread that HE eats over HIS chalice that only he and fellow priests celebrating Mass drink. Then there is a pitcher of wine that they fill the other chalices with. They offered her her own special cup anyway. If the priests know of the illness, I'm sure they can provide anyone with their own special cup.

Regarding why wheat, phillybeth already explain it...Since Good Friday was actually the first night of Passover, the bread that Jesus used was unleavened in accordance with Jewish tradition.

By the way, I LOVED your post too, Lisa F


Just because the Church isn't perfect and has sinners doesn't mean I need to question all the doctrines and traditions of the Church, IMH.

13 hours and counting!!!! Only 4 more hours till bedtime! My flight is 6:30a! So I'll be waking up at 3:30a to get to the airport in time!!!!

 

[lenshanem]

Have a great trip beattyfamily!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Have a great trip beattyfamily!

THANK YOU!!

 

[Patch'sD]

Things like this (not allowing the girl communion) and a lot of personal interactions with the Catholic Church have made me walk away from the Church many years ago. I just can't fathom how a religion built on things like Love, honnesty, and compasion can be so callous towards people.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Originally posted by Patch'sD
Things like this (not allowing the girl communion) and a lot of personal interactions with the Catholic Church have made me walk away from the Church many years ago. I just can't fathom how a religion built on things like Love, honnesty, and compasion can be so callous towards people.

And I totally respect the fact that you decided the Catholic church was not the right one for you and that you chose to find a different route. I do, however, disagree that the Faith is callous towards people.

And beattyfamily.......wish it were me!!!!!!!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

OMG, I know I am beating a dead horse but this is really the reason I question organized religion. If people get so nit picky and detalied rather than look at the symbolsim it scares me. You could have fooled me but wasn't it Jesus who said,"suffer the little children to come unto me for such is the kingdom of God'? If you truly believe that you have no free will and that there is a religious reason for everything, then do you think that God gave this little child this disease so she could not fully partake of communion? Is she a sinner?

Jeepers, do you even know half of the history of the Catholic Church aside from the dogma that you(and I ) have been fed has children. To think of all the things that have gone on over history not just in the last 20 years and then this child cannot receive just like eveyone else!!

And yet, Ted Kennedy can pay a couple of thou to get the sacriment of marriage annulled. Go figure.'

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by 6_Time_Momma
And I totally respect the fact that you decided the Catholic church was not the right one for you and that you chose to find a different route. I do, however, disagree that the Faith is callous towards people.

That depends on the parish and the priests, honestly. YouI can talk to God anytime, anywhere, but you need a devoted congregation and spiritual leader to have a CHURCH.

I don't find the Catholic Church to be callous. My problem is this: I was taught in order to be a Catholic you have to believe wholeheartedly in the teachings, traditions and practices of the Church, without question. There should not be any "I'm a Catholic but" Catholics- i.e "I'm a Catholic but I belive in birth control", or "I'm a Catholic but I am pro-choice." You either believe in, and follow, everything the Church teaches or you are not Catholic. And I can't be a hypocrite, I can't go to mass and bow my head when I disagree with the Church on many matters.

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by auntpolly
[BI don't understand a non-Catholic deciding something we do is wrong! [/B]

Ah, but the Catholic Church don't decide that something you do is wrong. The Church decides that what you do is not right for Catholics. There's a big difference there.

Other Christians are welcome to worship with Catholics any time, and even welcome to the sacrament of communion if they believe in the miracle of Transubstantiation. If not, they are asked to abstain, in respect for our belief that the bread and wine are miraculously transformed into the true bod and blood of Christ.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Jeepers, do you even know half of the history of the Catholic Church aside from the dogma that you(and I ) have been fed has children. To think of all the things that have gone on over history not just in the last 20 years and then this child cannot receive just like eveyone else!!

Do you half the history of all the religions? All religions have "bad" moments. That does not mean they are "bad" religions.

And, I have not been "fed" anything quite frankly.

I don't find the Catholic Church to be callous. My problem is this: I was taught in order to be a Catholic you have to believe wholeheartedly in the teachings, traditions and practices of the Church, without question. There should not be any "I'm a Catholic but" Catholics- i.e "I'm a Catholic but I belive in birth control", or "I'm a Catholic but I am pro-choice." You either believe in, and follow, everything the Church teaches or you are not Catholic. And I can't be a hypocrite, I can't go to mass and bow my head when I disagree with the Church on many matters.

This is why I say I completely respect those who decide they need to look elsewhere when they start to disagree with the Church. I do believe that you should believe/agree with everything the Church teaches or look for a denomination that suits you better.

I do not think there is anything at all wrong with questioning tennents of the faith. But, you should seek answers and then make a decision whether to stay with a faith you only half believe in or go look for one that you can fully participate in.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Sorry, read the first three pages of the thread and then skipped to the end so I hope I'm not being redundant.

I find myself wondering just how active the family was in the parish prior to the child's First Communion. The CNN article stated that the mother received the "faux" host along side her daughter as she had not received communion since she herself was diagnosed w/the disease. If this is a case of someone not coming to mass on a regular basis and then suddenly deciding they wanted to be "Good Catholics" again due to their daughter's age...I don't blame the Priest at all. You can't just pick and choose when it's convenient to be Catholic and within my own parish I have seen numerous examples of families only showing up when it's time for the next sacrament. I have also seen several times when the parish has bent over backwards to accomodate someone with special circumstances.

I honestly believe this is just another case of the news media only giving the facts that create controvery. I'd like to see the "big" picture.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm another who skipped to the end. I've heard and read a bit about this case before. I don't think it really is all that much about getting a gluten free host as it is about getting a lot of publicity. The child could take Communion in the form of wine (you don't need both forms of Eucharist one or the other is fine). The mother is the one who is refusing to accept that as an alternative. Probably wouldn't be that much television coverage of that.

There is a Jewish Home for the Elderly near me that accepts people of every faith. They also accept government money. They do not allow bacon or ham or any other pork product to be brought on the premises but it is in conflict with keeping the premises Kosher. How is the Catholic Church also sticking to their beliefs that may be at odds with certain individuals any different?

 

[Patch'sD]

I still believe in the religion, I don't agree with the governing body ie; the catholic church. It's constant changing of Some Doctrine and not the other has always bothered me. Allowing the Scandals to go on for so long and allow these priests to continue to prey and preach is beyond me. In my youth any questions regarding the teachings of the church were met with ridicule and physical abuse. In my last dealing with the Church, The priest would not allow my nephew to say a few words about my father at his funeral, then when he spoke he mentioned how he did know my father. Of course they demanded $150.00 for the right to say that.