Ship of Fools: Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich, England
The Mystery Worshipper
Shipmate
Ship of Fools: Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich, England
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Comments
The position of closed communion does not stop the clergy from being sympathic about that and non-communicants are welcome and encouraged to go forward for a blesssing.
As regards closed communion, yes, the RCC has its rules (which some priests might interpret loosely for what may seem to them good pastoral reasons), but, as you say, a blessing is freely available.
I see no point at all in glossing that disunity over.
Better relationships between churches can be expressed in other ways.
I believe that the Anglican singing tradition grew out of English public schools and Oxbridge, which Roman Catholics were historically excluded from after the Reformation - congregational singing wasn't really a thing prior to that.
Of course, part of the problem is the syrupy-sacchariny quality of older RC hymns (think of "Mother Dear O Pray For Me" and "O Lord I Am Not Worthy") and the unbearably trite quality of post-V2 "singing nun" stuff. To the latter there are exceptions, especially some (but not all) of the St. Louis Jesuit songs (think "Come to the Water" and "One Bread, One Body"), and to their credit those do seem to have caught on. And despite all the talk about ecumenism, God forbid that "Protestant" hymns be used -- although again, there are exceptions.
As for extra-Mass devotions, in the church of my youth, the old Italian ladies had a Saturday morning devotion to Our Lady of Pompeii, at which they'd sing their hearts out (in Italian, of course). There was also a Tuesday evening devotion to St. Anthony, at which the attendees would also sing lustily.
The last Sunday of October is, of course, traditionally observed in Lutheran and Presbyterian churches as Reformation Sunday.
Got to say the RC parish where I do the music sings lustily, and in spontaneous parts too, but then they know I would do a massive strop if they didn't take up their appointed liturgical role. There is a real up-side to not having a choir and putting the onus back on the congregation to play their proper part.
And before you say anything, I have Irish Catholic ancestors.
O dear - bit of a pong of Dead Horse here, methinks. The RCC is the One True Church™, so come over to the light side...
*sigh*
Many Shipmates will doubtless feel that they are still part of the 'church', even if they are not Roman Catholics.
The Roman Catholic Church is merely of the opinion that it is the One True Church and that other "ecclesial bodies" are invalid and thus unable to receive communion. It is of course entitled to think whatever it pleases, but as Elizabeth I said: “There is only one Christ, Jesus, one faith. All else is a dispute over trifles.”
My understanding is that the RCC church sees communion as a sign and expression of unity. That is why it doesn't have open altars. Its been a long while since I have heard or seen written the language of "one true church" outside the most right-wing parts of the church and those people who have broken away since Vat 2.
Well, again, not to beat a dead horse, but define "unity." Does it mean that all who confess Jesus Christ as Lord are united, or only those who believe that the Papacy has descended in an unbroken line from Peter and that the Blessed Mother appeared to three little orphan girls in Portugal?
Not all the faith in the universe can make that which is not true, the truth. The important thing, as Elizabeth and countless others have known, is that you love God and strive to keep his commandments.
It obviously means within that communion.
I believe in marriage, as most married people do, that doesnt entitle other married folk to share my matrimonial bed on the basis of that belief.
Simples.
I'm as guilty as anyone of derailing this thread, but let's get back to commenting on elements of the service attended, as reported, shall we?
Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Lead Editor, Mystery Worship
We can stop this tangent right now, can't we, and return to the subject.
John Holding, host