Communion and Reason

Recently, the first communion on an 8 year-old was nullified by Catholic authorities. (AP story) A sufferer of celiac sprue disease, Haley Waldman can not eat any wheat products whatsoever. This disease, estimated to affect as many as 1 in every 133 people, damages the small intestine and can cause a variety of problems including a greatly increased risk of gastrointestinal cancer. According to physicians, there is no cure for celiac disease and "the only acceptable treatment for celiac disease is strict adherence to a 100% gluten-free diet for life. An adherence to a gluten-free diet can prevent almost all complications caused by the disease." (source)

People with celiac disease must avoid any products containing wheat, rye, and barley. Many processed foods such as canned soups, processed meats, and pasta contain gluten, as do a number of products like tablets, vitamin capsules, and cosmetics.

For Catholics, the host used during Communion must also contain gluten. Catholic guidelines have been issued allowing low-gluten breads and a low-alcohol wine, however priests and laypersons must provide a medical certificate to use the low gluten bread. Priests who wish to use the low-alcohol wine must also provide medical certificates but the priest then is under certain restrictions about presiding over a concelebrated Mass. Laypersons who wish to use the low-alcohol wine must appeal directory to the Vatican.

At issue is the Catholic doctrine that in order to be valid, a Mass must be celebrated with bread made from wheat and wine made from grapes. Catholic officials have stated that either the bread, consecrated to become the Body of Christ, or the wine, consecrated to become the Blood of Christ, when taken alone can constitute a valid communion. Many people, for a number of reasons, choose only to take the bread and not the wine. It has been suggested that people suffering from celiac disease receive only the wine if they choose not to take the bread.

So, evidently, it is acceptable for Catholics to receive either the bread alone, the wine alone or both. The U.S. Conference of Bishops, however, has stated that

"Holy Communion has a more complete form as a sign when it is received under both kinds. For in this manner of reception a fuller sign of the Eucharistic banquet shines forth. Moreover there is a clearer expression of that will by which the new and everlasting covenant is ratified in the blood of the Lord and of the relationship of the Eucharistic banquet to the eschatological banquet in the Father's kingdom."

Later, the same document refers to this statement:

"For the faithful who take part in the rite or are present at it, pastors should take care to call to mind as appropriately as possible Catholic teaching according to the Council of Trent on the manner of Communion. Above all they should instruct the Christian faithful that, according to Catholic faith, Christ, whole and entire, as well as the true Sacrament are received under one kind only; that, therefore, as far as the effects are concerned, those who receive in this manner are not deprived of any grace necessary for salvation.

So, although receiving both the bread and wine is preferred because it is a more complete sign, taking only one form is acceptable with no loss of grace.

As I understand thing so far, the Catholic church would prefer prople to receive both forms, but chooseing to receive only one if fine. And they have also stated the following in the same document:

"Pastors are also to teach that the Church has the power in its stewardship of the sacraments, provided their substance remains intact, to make those rules and changes that, in view of the different conditions, times, and places, it decides to be in the interest of reverence for the sacraments or the well-being of the recipients".

Alright. Fine. They realize that people may not be able to have alcohol. They understand that some people may not be able to eat gluten.

What they don't seem to understand is that some people who are not able to eat any gluten also may not be able to (or choose not to) drink alcohol.

And from reading the comments at this site, a number pf people find that position unacceptable. They have made comments such as these:

The Church allows for low-gluten hosts to be used. I wonder if the family tried those? They could also ask that their daughter be given only a tiny sliver of the Host. Technically, celiacs are unable to digest anything made with gluten, the protein in wheat and other grains. (Which is basically saying, "I realize you're not supposed to have any gluten at all, but, here, have just a little.")

"Take it to the media" seems to be the current attitude when "Catholics" won't accept the teachings of the Church. The priest who gave the kid the rice cracker fits right in with those who create scandal by making the Church in their own image and likeness.

We here have an example of a priest who did not know his catechism.

The host she recieves is not wheat but the broken body of Jesus Christ, by whose stripes she will be healed. Believe the Gospel, for Christ's sake.

If (as I recall) Mama doesn't want her to drink wine, remind her that it's not wine.

The last two comments refer to the Catholic belief in transubstantiation, defined here:

As the Council of Trent says, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church repeats: “. . . by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.”

It has been said that since Jesus used bread (containing wheat) and wine (containing alcohol) during the Last Supper, only bread and wine containing these elements may be used.

Okay, fine.

But what Jesus said was,

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes" (I Corinthians 11:23- 26).

There was no mention of gluten or alcohol. He said, "Remember me, remember my sacrifices for you." Perhaps the Catholic church is losing sight of what is truly important here.

Father John Crothers recently wrote regarding this topic and its impact on one of his parishoners in Australia. He concluded his article with this paragraph:

Jesus' way of ministering was anything but rigid and institutionalised. He focused on people, rather than laws. In particular He was always inclusive, rather than exclusive. I feel that many of our church leaders need to reassess the model of church leadership in the light of Jesus' style of leadership.

A comment mentioned above suggested that the priest who gave Haley Waldman a gluten free host did not know his catechism. I think perhaps he knew the catechism but he also knew the teachings of Jesus. He knew that Jesus would have welcomed this girl despite her medical concerns. He knew that letting religion become an end to itself is to ignore the needs of those he devoted himself to serving.

To be exclude the faithful simply because of medical problems is to turn from the teachings and ideals of Jesus himself.