That ongoing 'debate' about receiving Holy Communion

I refer to the leader Debate On Who Will Receive Holy Communion (June 9).

I find it hard to believe that among real Christians, let alone children of the Catholic Church, there should have arisen this "debate". The remarks in the editorial, particularly when quoting the document issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, are all to the point.

There is one point I would like to make clear, while avoiding to tackle the numerous doubts brought about by diverse questions connected with painful unchristian situations. This point is just the fact that, when the Church maintains that those living in a state contrary to that which God's laws impose are not to receive Holy Communion, the Church itself is simply following and proclaiming God's law as this clearly appears in Sacred Scripture. So that it is by no means a simple decision or law of the Church itself

In his First Epistle to the Corinthians, Apostle Paul has these words: "So if anyone eats this bread and drinks from the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, he is guilty of sin against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why a man should examine himself carefully before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if he eats the bread and drinks from the cup unworthily, not thinking about the body of Christ and what it means, he is eating and drinking God's judgment upon himself; for he is trilling with the death of Christ. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died." (1 COR. I I, 27-30)

Before he came to these words, the Apostle had told the Corinthians: "Everyone keeps telling me about the arguing that goes on in these meetings, and the divisions developing among you, and I can just about believe it." (1 COR. I 1, IX). When I was a student in Rome we had a very learned professor, also very sharp and prudent and diplomatic, who frequently made use of the Latin expression "Intelligent paucif"!

With God's justice there never was and never could be any joking. In matters of sex, of conjugal life, just as in all other sectors of man's life and behaviour, God has given us his law. He has also left us at liberty. In the Book of Ecclesiastics 15.18 we read: "Before man is life and death, good and evil, that which he shall choose shall be given him." It is so simple! We are at liberty! Obviously God's justice will subsequently not fail to take its course!

Divorce, adulteries, abortion... then murders, drugs, hatred, unjust sentences in court, corruption, etc, etc. Yes, God has left us full liberty of behaviour. But then expect not His justice to fail to do its part. And this in spite of the abundant eulogies we so often hear on God's mercy!