From what used to the Catholic Church in Germany:
In his latest salvo to challenge Rome’s authority, the president of Germany’s bishops’ conference has said that any German Protestant who wishes to receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Church on Ökumenischen Kirchentag — a day of Christian unity in May — may do so.
“Anyone who is Protestant and attends Communion can receive Communion,” Bishop Georg Bätzing told an online discussion in Frankfurt on Thursday about the May 15 event that usually brings thousands of Christians to the city for ecclesial events.
“We want to take steps towards unity,” he said, adding that “whoever believes in conscience what is celebrated in the other denomination will also be able to approach [the altar] and won’t be rejected.”
According to the German bishops’ news site Katholisch.de, the bishop of Limburg went on to say that the practice “has been maintained up and down the country” and is actually “nothing new.” Perhaps what is new is that it is being discussed, he continued, adding that he does not expect “an objection from Rome.”
Go here to read the rest. Reformation 2.0 is well underway and our Pope does nothing.
“Rome’s authority?” Maybe some of this stench from Germany is only because Pope Francis, on day one, made a specific point of “only” being the Vicar of Rome?
It’s not like they are making efforts to reinstitute the TLM. That would get Pope Chastisement going.
The current pontiff’s only objection is that they are going to fast.
He otherwise agrees with the choice of destination.
“too fast”
Grr. Caffeine not yet powering all synapses.
In the article, the bishop says “For many officials in Rome, the German Catholic Church has a Protestant smell.” Well, he just said that he’s in communion with the Protestants, so those officials would be right.
The difference between a wrong idea and a heresy is when you assert the idea over Church authority. So, by that standard too, this bishop is effectively a Protestant.
The Eucharist is where Christ the Bridegroom and His Bride the Church share an intimate union in the same way that a husband and a wife do in Holy Matrimony. Both are based on relationships established by a covenant. When Christ instituted the Eucharist He talked about it being an integral part of His New Covenant. Open communion is tantamount to an open marriage. The current hookup, shack-up culture has degraded our understanding of commitment and covenant.
Let the Germans go…or at least the German bishops. Nobody cares.
Greg B + 1.
The Bishops idea; “We want to take steps towards unity.” is in effect a unity void of substance. A “one nighter” of sorts. [ sorry Greg B ]
The unity comes from trusting in God to the point of laying one’s life down for proper reception of Holy Eurchrist inspite of protestants objections that the Catholic Church is cold and unwelcoming.
Take that day, May 15th, to evangelize and teach the protestant the great union that awaits a convert once he embraces the Church in full Communion with Jesus.
That’s charity.
Otherwise it’s pale friendship which doesn’t produce understanding and unity, but only novelty.
Catholics are proud promoters and defenders of Truth.
Water downed Catholicism isn’t good for anything but washing the dirt off your Pacamama statue.
Pinky,
The very idea that bishops cannot be in error is itself heretical.
The Godless love to display one of God’s virtues as cover in order to do their evil. The demonic just love to use Godlike words and themes; compassion, tolerance, don’t judge (evil), woman’s rights, equality (ignore God’s hierarchy of angels), it’s for the children, the polls say (give us Barabbas), what would Jesus do, “American” communist party, it’s for the poor, racism, racism, racism…blah, blah, blah.
“Reformation 2 is well underway and our Pope does nothing” ??
Pope Francis has already ruled against several german bishop’s proposals. Lets give him credit for opposing the radical lobbyists who are now sorely disappointed. What would you do Don – excommunicate them ? The sad situation is that now Pope Francis has few friends. Some conservatives still think he unorthodox and the liberals feel betrayed by the man they thought they controlled. Thank God for Cardinal Ladaria, the conservative spanish Jesuit who heads the CDF, he is Francis right hand man (whereas we could say that cardinal Parolin is the left ). THE HOLY SPIRIT still guides our church +
It’s unfortunate that most of the Popes supporters are outside of the Church. If you have both the conservative and the liberal Catholics both confused and disillusioned by the Popes leadership then you would think he would take a hint and look at what he could do to bring peace back to the faithful. He has caused much confusion thus far, and its painful to see this. He needs to pick a lane. And he needs to stick to it. That’s way the faithful will know where he stands.
PHILIP NACHAZEL Your comment talking about a one-night stand is what I’m getting at. Too many people practice a religion that is based on the Gospel According to Harvey Weinstein where God had better be putting out. Fair weather Catholicism. The conduct of the German bishops is getting to the point of trafficking the Bride of Christ, trying to turn her into a worldly harlot. Most distasteful.