Here’s one of those issues I’m glad I don’t have to figure out

A reader writes:

Some parents in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis have created an online petition to submit to Archbishop Daniel Buechlein and to the USCCB. The petition’s title is “Catholics in Support of Rice Host Option for Communion“.

While the largest number of signatures are those of people living in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, which begins just north of the Indianapolis city limits, there are signers from all over the country.

I think that this might be an excellent teaching moment. However, even though Archbishop Buechlein may use it as such once the petition reaches him, I think his response will be unseen by many people who signed the petition.

On the other hand, Catholic bloggers often reach a larger and more scattered audience. Therefore, I am sending you this message in case you might want to help your readers learn what the Church teaches on this matter. If you decide to use this information in any way, please omit my name.

Whether or not you find this to be a suitable topic for your blog, please pray for the child, for his parents, and for all those who sign the petition, as well as for the pastors and bishops who lead them.

As far as I know, the Church teaches that wheat bread (whether leavened or unleavened, depending on if you are East or West) is the normative matter for the sacrament. Whether that can change from culture to culture to reflect the staple diet of the particular culture, I do not know. So, for instance, I’m unclear about whether some Chinese bishops might not have the legislative authority to use rice rather than wheat flour for the Eucharist (my tendency is to doubt it). I’m pretty skeptical that this petition is going to get any traction, but I empathize with the folks who have celiac troubles. I reckon the best solution will wind up being making the cup available to such folks who cannot receive the Host. Happily, it’s not my task to decide. So my speculations here and five bucks will get you a Starbuck’s latte.

Update: Turns out the matter for the sacrament can’t be altered to some other form of grain than wheat. A reader writes: “Actually this exact controversy came up hundreds of years ago in regards to Asian missionaries, and the answer was settled back then: no, rice-based bread is not valid matter. (It was a Jesuit vs. Dominican throwdown, with your boys the Dominicans prevailing in this matter.)”

Learn something every day.