The article clearly states that "The diocese has told Haley's mother that the girl can receive a low-gluten wafer, or just drink wine at Communion, but that anything without gluten does not qualify. Pelly-Waldman rejected the offer."

The Catholic Church isn't going to change its doctrine because one whiny mom from New Jersey doesn't agree with it. It's not a democracy, for goodness sake! She should just shut up and let little Haley take the wine without the wafer. That's what I would do if it were one of my children in this situation.

It's things like this that have made Buddhism so attractive to me. I seem to recall Jesus saying something to the Pharisees about the letter of the law vs the spirit of the law.

The following information comes from the story.
"After the church's pastor refused to allow a substitute, a priest at a nearby parish volunteered to offer one, and in May, Haley wore a white Communion dress, and received the sacrament alongside her mother, who had not taken Communion since she herself was diagnosed with the disease"

It's not that the there is not an alternative wafter available, the original church pastor was being stubborn and selfish. It's not a reflection of the Catholic Church it's a reflection of the actions of one pastor. The mom knew about that option and it was her right to go to a more sympathetic pastor. She wasn't asking to change the dress code, the mass, nor did she want to add fries on the side when her daughter was to receive the sacrement. She's just wanted to protected her daughter from any exposure to wheat as much as possible. I'm glad the girl was able to have her Communion.

Well if that's the case... then the girl's communion would have been valid if she had the wine. My impression from the article was that her communion was COMPLETELY invalid because she didn't have "proper" bread. But if she took the wine... she got her communion. She eat all the rice bread she wanted for all I care.

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AXOjen, I am going thru RCIA via the Newman Center next to Sac State. Should be a good experience. Hoping. :D
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