The Deacon's Bench
This topic came up a couple weeks ago, with the release of a document prepared by a joint USCCB-Lutheran task force, recommending “expanded opportunities for Catholics and Lutherans to receive Holy Communion together.”
But yesterday, Rocco Palmo broke this bit of news, reporting on Pope Francis visiting Rome’s Evangelical Lutheran church for an ecumenical dialogue:
Among the handful chosen to take part in today’s Q&A, Francis heard from a member of the mostly German-Swiss congregation who, speaking of her marriage to a Catholic, addressed “the hurt we’ve felt together due to [their] difference of faith” and asked about their ability “to finally participate together in Communion.”
In an answer that’s almost certain to resonate broadly across the ecumenical scene (and elsewhere, quite possibly show his hand on his intended course following last month’s Synod on the Family), the pontiff – clearly wrestling with the plea – pointedly appealed less to the standard prohibition of the Eucharist for Protestant communities than to the woman’s discernment in conscience.
As if to reinforce the point, in a move clearly decided in advance, Francis publicly presented the pastor with a chalice which appeared identical to the ones the Pope gave the archbishops of Washington, New York and Philadelphia during his late September US trip.
Pope Francis has suggested a Lutheran spouse of a Catholic should “talk to the Lord” in discerning whether or not to receive Holy Communion with her husband.
Francis made the remark during a Q&A at a visit to Rome’s Evangelical Lutheran church on Sunday.
The Pope was asked whether a Lutheran and Catholic married couple might “finally participate together in Communion”. The questioner referred to “the hurt we’ve felt together due to [our] difference of faith”.
Francis said it was “not my competence” to give permission to do this, and admitted: “I ask myself and don’t know how to respond – what you’re asking me, I ask myself the [same] question.”
The Pope then stressed the role of personal discernment rather than repeating Church teaching that Protestant spouses can only receive Holy Communion if they do not “have recourse for the sacrament” at their own church.
He said: “There are questions that only if one is sincere with oneself and the little theological light one has, must be responded to on one’s own.”
Read more. Obviously, what the Holy Father said does not indicate, at this moment, any change in teaching. But as Rocco indicated, it’s sure to get people talking. Stay tuned.
UPDATE: Aleteia’s Diane Montagna has an excellent English translation of the pope’s remarks. Read it all. Pope Francis concludes with this thought:
Always refer back to baptism. “One faith, one baptism, one Lord.” This is what Paul tells us, and from there take the consequences.
I would never dare to give permission for this, because it’s not my jurisdiction. “One baptism, one Lord, one faith.” Talk to the Lord and then go forward. I don’t dare to say anything more.
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