Bad idea amid the H1N1 frenzy

I pray that I never see one of these in a Catholic church.

A company called Purity Solutions has developed a hands-free communion dispenser to cope with the H1N1 panic. While I can appreciate their good intentions and the practicality of this tool for Protestants who don't believe in the Real Presence, this would certainly be a no-no in a Catholic Mass.

The first picture on the right shows the device, which comes in gold, silver and "white" (whatever substance that is). Or maybe the "gold" and "silver" on their website only refers to the color of the device, not the metal it's made of.  Now gold and silver would certainly be suitable precious metals for a Catholic paten or ciborium, but if they are made of stainless steel and simply coated with gold or silver paint, that's a non-starter.  

Even if they were made of gold or silver, it gets more complicated.  As you can see by the second picture, the hosts are not directly placed inside the metal device. They are placed in plastic cartridges, much like Pringle potato chips, which are subsequently inserted into the aforementioned communion dispenser.  There they will remain remain throughout the consecration and during the distribution of communion. Somebody refresh my memory:  does plastic qualify as a valid precious material for the sacred vessels?  The company also sells hosts that are pre-soaked with wine, so that you can

Anglican Church in West headed for self-destruction

Last week, the earth shook when the Vatican announced the vehicle through which Anglicans could be received into the Catholic Church.  For Traditional Anglicans, who had made the request to Rome, and for Catholics, this was a time of great celebration. 

Although Traditional Anglicans represent a relatively small group, there are many other conservative-minded Anglicans who are paying close attention and considering the jump to the Catholic Church.

This will have wide-spread ramifications for the Anglican Communion.  As more and more orthodox Anglicans leave for the Catholic Church, the remainder of the Anglican Church will be increasing composed of liberal-leaning Christians, drifting further and further from the essence of Christianity. These liberals will seek to increase their strangle-hold on Anglicanism by pushing for more liberal morality

We saw a first demonstration last week, as Ottawa Anglican Bishop, John Chapman, announced that a church in his diocese will be allowed to "bless" same-sex unions for the first time.  His announcement came just two days after the Vatican's announcement.  The bishops said:  "This will be Ottawa's offering to the ongoing discernment that is happening throughout the Anglican Church of Canada."  It seemed like a direct reaction to the announcement from Rome in order to appease the liberal wing in his church.

Here's a quote from the newspaper that caught my attention:

Bishop Chapman said liberal Anglicans in the diocese will likely believe the blessing protocol doesn't go far enough, while conservative-minded parishioners might think it goes too far. Chapman believes it's a healthy balance.

Strange analysis coming from a bishop.  He's looking for a "healthy balance" between two factions within the Anglican Church.  What ever happened to standing for the Truth?  Why not follow God's will instead of finding an arbitrary compromise between subjective opinions? Is that what Anglicanism in Canada has become? I'm afraid so.

The more orthodox Anglicans in Africa, which make up the bulk of the Anglican Communion, are within a hair of bolting.  To them, the idea of returning to the Catholic Church will become increasingly appealing.  The Anglicans in the West, which are but a small fraction of the total Anglican Church, have generally become so liberal as to be beyond recognition.  They support same-sex marriage, abortion, contraception, divorce, homosexual lifestyles, women priests, etc.  Their low birth rates will almost guarantee that they will disappear within a hundred years or so. 

By this time next century, the Anglican Church as we know it will probably have vanished.  That's what happens when you stray from the Truth.  Recall the wise words of Gamaliel in the Acts of the Apostles:

"So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; ³⁹but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!’ (Acts 5: 38-39)

The Anglican Church in the West is failing because it has strayed too far.

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Wow! Vatican welcomes back Anglicans!

ROME (Catholic Online) - In an absolutely stunning announcement on the morning of October 20, 2009, the Holy See has, by Apostolic Constitution, provided the canonical vehicle for Anglican Christians to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church. Throughout the evening expectations rose throughout the world along with the fervent prayers of millions who have longed to see this day. Many Catholics have watched in prayer with hopeful, heartfelt longing for their Christian brethren in the Anglican Communion. Many Anglican Christians have suffered from the ravages of their community from within brought about by moves away from Christian orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Now,there is a way to the safe harbor of the Catholic Church.

This morning the Vatican offered a lifeline into the Ark of Peter for Anglican Christians who wish to avail themselves of the invitation.

Read the rest here.  This is a historic day!  Let us rejoice and praise the Lord!


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