When asked by a Lutheran woman whether she can receive Communion when she accompanies her Catholic husband for Mass, Pope Francis told her to decide for herself.
Faced by the question the Pope replied “I’m scared” to delve into the theological issues involved, adding: “I leave this question to theologians, to those who understand.
“It is true that in a certain sense, sharing means saying there is no difference between us, that we have the same doctrine – stressing that word, which is a difficult word to understand. But do we not have the same Baptism? And if we have the same baptism, we should walk together.”
Returning to the woman’s question, the Pope said: “There are questions that only if one is sincere with oneself and the little theological light one has, must be responded to on one’s own. See for yourself.”
He added “I would never dare give permission to do this as it is not my competence. One baptism, one Lord, one faith. Speak with the Lord and go ahead. I dare not say more.”
Islamic scholar slams attack on church
Sheik Ahmed al-Tayyeb, head of Al-Azhar University, the leading university in the Sunni Muslim world, condemned an attack on a Coptic church in Cairo. The imam said assaults on houses of worship “go against the authentic Islamic religion and its teachings of tolerance”.
He said the attack on a Coptic Evangelical church should increase “the determination of Christians and Muslims to remain united and to support the fight against terrorism by the Egyptian authorities”.
Pope: preserve your Christian identity
In a homily, Pope Francis said: “Giving in to the things of the world is like saying: “Let’s put our ID up for auction. We are the same as everyone.”.
He said people today must ask themselves: “What is my identity? Christian or worldly? Or do I say I’m a Christian became I was baptised as a baby and I was born in a Christian nation where everyone is a Christian?”
Worldliness seeps into one’s life very slowly and then grows. The Pope asked that people pray that God protect them from taking on a worldly mentality and the desire to be ‘normal’ and like everyone else. He also asked that the Church always keep its identity grounded in Jesus.
‘Be vigilant’
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, Apostolic Nuncio to the US, called upon the nation’s bishops to ensure that Catholic schools and colleges are faithful to their Catholic identity.
Vigaò said the Catholic school “must be solid and unwavering in its commitment to truth. If we are to preserve a moral order in our society, we cannot fall prey to the enticements and allurements of a secularised and increasingly pagan civilisation.”
‘Act together on terror’
The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community said in a statement: “France cannot give in to campaigns of terror or violent attack, nor can Europe.
“Barbarism such as we have witnessed in Paris calls for a response from the civilised world. It is to be hoped that Europe is up to providing the response required. It is vital that Europe presents a united front to the terrorist threat, that it be united too in its foreign and defence policy.
“The forces which currently threaten Europe do not respect national borders. It is imperative that the 28 member states of the EU act together more effectively. Our collective security is at issue, as is our freedom to live together in peace.”
(Compiled by Fr Joe Borg)