Madam, - I take exception to the Brian P. Ó Cinnéide's reference (April 23rd) to "what passes for the Holy Eucharist in non-Catholic churches" (I presume that he means non-Roman Catholic churches). We in the reformed churches - and I speak as a member of the Church of Ireland (Anglican) - are in fact partaking in the sacrament of our redemption by the death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary.
We believe that the bread that we break and receive, and the wine that we drink, is a partaking in the body and blood of our Saviour, given, taken, and received in a spiritual manner.
Regarding the church which he says his Anglican friend described, can he in all honesty say that in the church of which he is member, every time the priest stands in front of the congregation he and every member of that congregation have the same interpretation of the scriptures, faith, and morals? Or can he say that all members of the priesthood do not have doubts, or indeed lack of belief, concerning parts of the teaching of their Church? I myself doubt very much that anybody can be that sure today.
Many Christians from all the churches in Ireland are working and sharing their faith together, including the giving and receiving of the Eucharist in each others' churches, while others feel in all conscience that they cannot take this step, but pray for the day that they can do so.
We are all walking on the same pilgrim path of life. Let us do so in love and charity one to each other. May I therefore wish Mr Ó Cinnéide God's blessing at this wonderful season in the Christian year? - Yours, etc.,
BUAGH O'DUIBH,
Manor Drive,
Dublin 13.
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Madam, - The Very Rev John Patterson's comments on the promulgation on the Papal Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia (The Irish Times, April 18th) are as inaccurate as they are peevish. The British Prime Minister does not receive Holy Communion. In fact, shortly before he died the late Cardinal Hume wrote to Mr Blair expressly to request that he refrain from doing so. It will also be remembered that, on his family's recent visit to the Vatican, during which they attended Mass celebrated by the Holy father in the Papal chapel, Mr Blair did not receive.
Mr Patterson, charitably, claims to be in a position to offer in addition "lots of examples" where the Catholic Church's teaching and its practice were far from identical. One hopes they are at least more factual than his Blair anecdote. But I fail to see how disparaging the Pope and Catholicism can actually help the cause of ecumenism. - Yours, etc.,
Rev DAVID O'HANLON, CC,
Parochial House,
Kentstown,
Navan,
Co Meath.
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Madam, - Chris Murphy, a self-professed Roman Catholic, asks (April 23rd): "Why should I not have taken part in [a Church Of Ireland] Communion?"
Because the head of the Roman Catholic Church says so. It's one of the rules of the organisation - like not wearing a T-shirt in the golf club. - Yours, etc.,
TONY ALLWRIGHT,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.
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Madam, - I deeply share the hurt and exasperation expressed by Rev Stephen Neill (April 19th) over Pope John Paul's absolute prohibition of inter-communion between Roman Catholics and other Catholics and Christians. He was right to imply that the "high priests" are still crucifying the Body of Christ!
As an Irish Roman Catholic priest and bishop I thoroughly reject the Pope's instructions and will continue to operate an "open table" policy wherever and whenever I celebrate Mass; and I will continue to receive Holy Communion when attending services in the churches of all my Christian brothers and sisters.
Let us all recall Cardinal John Henry Newman's wonderful words: "Conscience is the aboriginal vicar of Christ". - Yours, etc.,
Bishop PAT BUCKLEY,
The Oratory,
Larne,
Co Antrim.