Sir, - Your correspondent G. H. Duggan (January 11th) asks: "What will be the interior attitude of a Protestant who receives the Sacrament of the Eucharist not believing that Christ is present in the manner defined by the [Roman Catholic] Church? My experience of receiving has been one of great spiritual blessing comparable to - indeed, exceeding on occasions - that which I experience when receiving or celebrating in my own Presbyterian tradition. I have no difficulty receiving at a Mass which I do on occasions, mutatis mutandis. A most memorable occasion was that of a con-celebratory Mass on the occasion of the anniversary of the ordination of my friend Father Michael Hurley.
For over 40 years I have celebrated the Lord's Supper and as required have prefaced the celebration with the words, "Ye who do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy way: draw near with faith, and take this Holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to almighty God."
I acknowledge that this Order has been prepared for Presbyterian people without perhaps thought of the possibility of Roman Catholic people being present. But where such are present, and it is often, and they find they can sincerely respond to the invitation, I am delighted to share in the Supper with them, leaving understanding and experience up to them.
I wholeheartedly support Dr McDonagh's views (The Irish Times, January 11th) that "members of other churches [than the Roman Catholic] with a basic belief in the Eucharist as instituted by Jesus Christ should be invited and encouraged to participate in the Catholic Eucharist .. . and, in similar fashion, Catholics should be invited and encouraged to join in the Eucharistic celebrations of other churches." - Yours, etc., William O'Neill,
The Manse, Howth, Dublin.