Eucharist is not an ace card to be dealt in debate

[rug]

Opinion: Abortion is a complex and difficult issue and no stance warrants excommunication

Seán Freyne
Fri, May 24, 2013, 02:00

The Catholic primate elect, Archbishop Eamon Martin, has been putting himself about, as they say, even though he hasn’t yet taken up office. Last week ( Irish Times , Rite & Reason, May 14th), he introduced the Eucharist as the touchstone of his criticism of those supporting the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill: “How can we be in communion with the bread of life and not speak of the Gospel of Life in our daily lives, especially in these days when unborn human life is under direct attack?” he asked.

Then in the Sunday Times (May 19th), he went further. He suggested no priest should administer Communion to any politician who supported the proposed Bill, declaring this the introduction of abortion to Ireland. This claim is patently untrue. Abortion could only be introduced here by a referendum passed by the majority. Scaremongering cannot change that fact. Yet no one can predict the future, or how Irish society may change. We should trust our children.

What is disturbing about the claim, first stated by Cardinal Seán Brady, is that the virus has crossed the Atlantic, and Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston is of the same opinion it seems. No doubt his Clare Island genes stirred him to intervene, but really he has enough to be going on with, given the mess he inherited from his predecessor, Cardinal Bernard Law.

A threatening church

In his Sunday Times interview, Archbishop Martin declares that the erring politicians “excommunicate themselves”, and goes on to claim that the church has no desire to be threatening.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/eucharist-is-not-an-ace-card-to-be-dealt-in-debate-1.1404617

[IrishAyes]

1. So true

"Abortion is a complex and difficult issue and no stance warrants excommunication."

Someone pointed out to me once that even the Bible does not say God breathed life into First Man before he was completely formed. That left an impression. Regardless, as I've said before, even if the church ever excommunicated me from it's own presence, it can't come between me and my Maker.

[47of74]

2. In the Episcopal Church before the communion

In the Episcopal Church before the communion the presider holds up the bread and wine and says, "The Gifts of God For the People of God." That's what the Eucharist is - a gift from God to his people. To use the body and blood for political ends is just so wrong, and goes against everything Christ stood for.

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

3. The Eucharist is spiritual food

Not a reward for being good. I would suggest that Archbishop Martin should invite those he disagrees with to share the Eurcharist, not drive them away. But then, my God is a god of love and inclusiveness.

[IrishAyes]

4. Absolutely.