All people of good will are welcomed to attend Mass and observe what is happening. If they happen to be a non-Catholic (baptized) Christian, they are welcome and encouraged to participate in the prayers of the Mass as much as their conscience allows. There is already a partial unity with other non-Catholic Chrisitians by virtue of the common baptism we all share. And therefore common prayer is to be encouraged, as much as possible.

HOWEVER, Catholic Communion is a different matter since receiving the host implies 2 things:

1) That you believe everything that the Catholic Church teaches in faith and morals

and

2) That you believe that what you are receiving is the real Body and Blood of Christ.

This is what Communion means to Catholics. “Communion” = in union with what the Church teaches. Now obviously, Protestants do not believe everything that Catholics believe, otherwise they would not be Protestant

So asking Protestants not to receive is simply being honest about our differences. Likewise, Catholics should not receive Communion in other churches, for the same reason.

As for your question…”what would have been the reaction if Mr Harper had just handed the host back with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’?”

I don’t think this would be a reasonable gesture since if Mr. Harper would have refused the host, he would never have accepted it in the first place. He would not accept it into his hands only to return it. I would not feel offended at that, since I would rather him do that than consume it since he is not Catholic. However, I would counsel him not to accept it at all in the future.

Hope this answers your question.

Contrary to a lot of opinion, we Westerners are reasonably ecumenically minded and will attend services at other places of worship. Weddings and funerals are the obvious ones. And since most of us are fairly sensitive to the sensibillities of our friends and neighbours, we tend to be observers only unless it is made very clear that we are welcomed at the table, so to speak. In particular, with RC services, we would never take communion unless specifically invited so to do. And – let it be clear – I have attended RC services where I was welcomed to the table. The RC bishop of ‘my’ diocese has published a pamphlet discussing just this issue. So it seems that Mr Harper was in one of two situations: either he was in the front pew and was handed the wafer, or he went up for communion because he was under the impression he was welcome at the table.

Out of idle curiosity, what would have been the reaction if Mr Harper had just handed the host back with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’?

You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Then you can share it with your brothers and sisters, for which we thank you.

It appears to me that some of the bloggers out here in the blogosphere are using analytical gifts to break down some of the scandalous nonsense that is going on and to put it right, as if that can be done fully.

Keep up the excellent work. I particularly appreciate your sitting back, waiting for the dust to settle, and then after the noise and haste, looking at it all with fresh eyes. Consider that Godly inspiration.

mbrandon8026

Inkless 62p · 39 minutes ago
That wafer thing sure moved a lot of votes, didn’t it.

bigcitylib · 13 minutes ago
You just wait!! That video is being analysed frame-by-frame!

Anyway, there’s lots going on! Its a mudfight down here in the trenches! There’s just no progress being made.

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Interesting, eh? It seems its the Liberal bloggers who keep driving this thing, trying to whip up outrage at the Prime Minister by constantly pointing to the video. It does seem to add credibility to what Bob Fife reported he heard about why the Telegraph Journal apologized and fired its editor.

Thanks for the work you did on this. Even though I read this story several times, I never noticed many of the things that you have pointed out. Great forensic analysis!

Deborah Gyapong