No communion for Obama supporters

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

The principle of double effect, basically? (With a nod of the head to Thomas Aquinas.)

==============

Has a bit more to do with specific intent, unintended consequences and, inter alia, a nod to St Thomas Aquinas, OP (yes I know where the hand grenade is but its his moral thought process to which I refer rather than his obsolete understanding of quickening). Then of course one should consider St Thomas More (the role of Mens Rea in legal and moral decisions). Lots more but don't let me get too pedantic.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by GeekyPenguin

What I think it is interesting about this discussion as a whole is that all these non-Catholics and ex-Catholics are assuming this means everyone in the Congregation who voted for Obama is just going to stay in the pews on Sundays and not take Communion. I assume this means you think that everyone who has premarital sex, uses contraceptives, is gay and not abstinent, etc., will all also sit in the pews and not take Communion. It should be pretty speedy for the priest to dole it out, what with the 10 people going up.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Not all of us non-Catholics have been assuming this.

Nor have all of the ex-Catholics.

It's worth noting that, while all Catholics must attend Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation (or attend a vigil Mass the night before), Catholics are not obligated to receive communion every week. Many do - it is a sacrament, after all. But sometimes, people opt out for one reason or another. The reason could be anything from "I just had an abortion and the Church considers that murder, so I need to seek reconciliation first" to "I ate less than an hour ago". And asking someone "Why didn't you take Communion today?" just isn't done.

Catholics who have had their first Communion are required to receive at least once per year. This must happen during the Lent or Easter seasons. This covers a span of about three months, so there are plenty of opportunities to receive (and to go to confession first, if need be).

[dekeguy]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Nor have all of the ex-Catholics.

Catholics who have had their first Communion are required to receive at least once per year. This must happen during the Lent or Easter seasons. This covers a span of about three months, so there are plenty of opportunities to receive (and to go to confession first, if need be).

======================

The once a year minimum used to be called "Easter Duties". That was a rule intended to keep the faithful close to the sacraments and the practice of one's religeon. That ceased to be a mandatory requirement years ago as it was considered mildly absurd to FORCE people to partake in sacraments which are designed to strengther one's connection to God. Sort of like holding a gun to your head and saying be holy or I'll blow your head off.
For a long time it has been a recommended act of piety without anyone cracking the whip to enforce this.

[aephi alum]

When did that happen? It was a requirement back when I was Catholic, but then again, it's coming up on ten years since I converted to Judaism. I remember announcements at Mass that said things like, "Remember that you are obligated to receive Communion at some time before or on Pentecost. Three more weeks to go!"

(I also remember announcements saying, "Please be sure to dress appropriately for Mass." The church I attended as a child had no air conditioning in the building, and the building could get stifling hot in summer. People would come to Mass in tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops. But I digress.)