A Communion Of Your Views

Dear Ann Landers: I was raised to respect all religions, but the Catholics I’ve known since childhood always gave the impression that they believe theirs is the only true faith.

Now the issue of communion comes up in your column, and it’s more of the same “holier than thou” attitude. You quoted Rev. Robert J. Geisinger, who said “non-Catholics should not step up to receive communion, although the Church allows exceptions to be made.” More Catholic snobbishness.

I’m a Lutheran. All Catholics are welcome to take communion in our church. Please tell those who are rejected to come to us. - Madison, Wis.

Dear Madison: Thanks for the open invitation. I’m passing it along. Meanwhile, please remember that religions were never intended to be allinclusive. Why shouldn’t the Catholic Church have rituals for Catholics only? It’s not snobbery; it’s rooted in their religious beliefs. Someone who does not believe in Catholic doctrine should not participate in Catholic rituals.

I received a surprising amount of mail on this subject. The following was written by a Jesuit in Chicago in defense of Rev. Geisinger, who cautioned non-Catholics against stepping up to receive communion.

The defending priest wrote: “Protestants believe that communion is symbolic of Christ, while Catholics believe Christ is actually present through the symbols of bread and wine. There are other areas, however, such as blessings, prayers and Scripture, where Catholics and Protestants have a great deal in common, and these are more easily shared.”

Read on for more on the subject:

From Tempe, Ariz.: Please let your readers know that most, if not all, mainline Protestant churches serve communion and many have open communion where any Christian is welcome to partake.

Dubuque, Iowa: I live in a city that is predominantly Catholic. However, I belong to the United Church of Christ, which is Protestant. In our church, communion is offered to all who have been confirmed and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. My husband, who is Catholic, takes communion in my church, but when I go to his church, I’m barred. I resent it. The table of our Lord should not, in my opinion, belong exclusively to members of the Catholic Church.

Portland, Ore.: You really stuck your neck out when you opened your column up for comments about communion in the Catholic Church. I was raised a Catholic but haven’t been inside a church for 20 years. I discovered long ago that religion is so filled with hypocrisy that I want no part of it. I do believe in God, but I don’t have to go to a church to prove it. I honor my God by doing everything I can for my fellow man.

New York: I was brought up Catholic but left the faith when I graduated from Marquette, a Catholic university. My eyes were opened by a wonderful woman who is now my wife. She pointed out that the Catholic Church believes sex before marriage is a sin, which is nonsense; using birth control is a sin, more nonsense; masturbation is a sin, ridiculous; homosexuals will burn in hell, which is crazy. I could go on, but by now, I’m sure you have the idea. - Nameless, Of Course

Dear Nameless: Thanks for a provocative letter.

I’ve often heard it said that politics and religion are two topics that should never be discussed in social circles. This always baffled me because, in my opinion, they are the most interesting subjects of all. My thanks to all who wrote.