From Mr John Newton
Sir, I am both disappointed, and indeed offended, by the latest offering from the Anglicans on the Eucharist. It fails to show any real understanding or respect for the Church's position. This is unfortunately characteristic of many Anglican Clergy. I have been pressed to receive by Anglican Clergy on several occasions, despite their knowledge that this is not allowed.
It must be admitted that the Catholic Church is not blameless for this state of affairs. At least two Anglican clergy persons of my acquaintance have regaled me with tales of how they were invited to receive Communion by Catholic priests. As painful as it is, Eucharistic discipline must be respected. The Eucharist is a symbol that we share in one Faith, and until there is unity in Faith there cannot be unity in the Eucharist. Despite Dr. Scott's assertions in his letter to the contrary, the Apostles did possess this unity in Faith (Acts 1:14). And at least some of them did have an "idea of the doctrinal niceties". For example chapter 6 of John's Gospel, was so consistent with his views that the Church he
founded could confidently attribute it to him (John 21:24). His disciple Ignatius could just as confidently state that "the eucharistic is the flesh of Jesus Christ our Saviour, the same flesh which suffered for our sins, and which the Father of His goodness raised up " (Ad Smyrn viii).
Yours faithfully, JOHN NEWTON. Cheam,Surrey SM2 6DS Front Mr Henry Broadbent Sir, There has been much discussion on the externals of the Anglican and Catholic Eucharist, where the two traditions converge or not in their respective understandings and interpretations. Given that all sacraments are a visible sign of an inward disposition, occurring in the hidden reaches of the individual soul, it is perhaps timely to shift the emphasis of any further debate to this arena.
Karl Adams, in The Spirit of Catholicism says it is the function of sacraments generally and the Eucharist in particular "to bring the love and grace of God to sense-bound man under the veil of visible and evident signs" (p.213). This grace is not something that conies to us from the outside like "some alien charm, but is implanted in the soul."
The Catholic Eucharist effects an up-springing of grace rising from God, "the primal creative force ... and fundamental ground of our innermost being. Consequently our faculties and natural powers are brought back again to their original purpose, for we are renewed and re-made in the germination event of Communion."
Since God is wholly other than ourselves (even though he is intimately close in the proximity of his in-dwelling) the extinction of any self-interest is required before any fruitful exchange c-an occur. As Adams says: "If a man denies the theological substance ... of grace .. his theology is an unsatisfactory subjectivism" (p2I6)
If Anglicans and Catholics accept the hidden presence of grace beneath the. visible appearance of the Eucharist why is there all this discussion on the subjective interpretation of this core sacrament?
Yours sincerely HENRY S BROADBENT HenrybroadbentObyahoo.co.uk