Irish Catholicism holds a special place in the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, what with the many priests who emigrated from Ireland in the last century to beef up the leadership in parishes here. So what happened on Easter Sunday in Drogheda on the eastern coast of Ireland north of Dublin is causing quite a buzz among both traditionalist Catholics and those seeking a ray of light for reform. It is said there was an ecumenical Mass.Scandalous, of course, say uncompromising Catholics. Seems a Church of Ireland (Anglican) priest concelebrated Mass with three Roman Catholic priests at the Augustinian priory. It reportedly came about through the invitation of a former Augustinian prior. It drew some 1,000 people.
Not surprisingly both the Catholics and the Anglicans are investigating it, and consequences seem certain to follow.
Afterall, interfaith worship in the 21st Century is just too much for ancient religions needing to maintain purity.
According to news reports, the Catholics Archbishop Sean Brady of the Archdiocese of Armagh quickly issued this statement: True ecumenism is best served by initiatives that are respectful of, and sensitive to, the traditions, ethos and discipline of all those involved. Otherwise there is a real danger of causing widespread confusion, raising false hopes and creating situations that are open to misunderstanding and manipulation.
Tell that to all the clergy of hundreds of religious faiths today who regularly hold special ecumenical and interfaith gatherings that transcend their individual faiths’ theology and teachings.
False hopes? Confusion?
Hardly. Many major faiths have worked out joint communion accommodations.
The Irish press is calling it the “unholy row over Mass.” It’s all the talk in Ireland.
The Anglicans’ Archbishop Robin Eames seemed to echo his Catholic counterpart in responding to the comingling of faiths: Unfortunately, such occasions, while well-intentioned, can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations at a time when relations between our churches have improved so much, he said.
Organizers of the Mass were seeking to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Monday Rising, an uprising by Irish seeking independence from Britain while the nation was preoccupied with fighting World War I. The Mass honored Irish deaths in that war, as well.
Up to 20 members of the Church of Ireland congregation attended the Mass and received Holy Communion, according to reports, and an Anglican priest, Rev. Michael Graham, took part fully in the consecration of the sacrament.” One clergyman called the event a magnificent occasion.
A press story noted, Rev. Graham was greeted with prolonged applause by the large congregation when he appeared on the altar. He later told the worshippers that ‘this is the first public celebration in Drogheda of the Eucharist by a Catholic priest of the Anglican tradition in a Catholic church of the Roman tradition since the Reformation.’”
Pretty historical stuff.
It all conjures the still unresolved firestorm in Gilbert two years ago where a Gilbert priest was alleged to have let an Anglican priest participate in the Eucharist during a wedding. The bishop sent the matter to Rome, which responded, “Take care of it back home. Everyone is still waiting for that decision.
So an ecumenical Mass in Ireland, for some, is too perverse to consider.
We’re just an awfully long way from common ground — and common sense — in Christian unity.
Many denominations think their theology is the “true” theology. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone just practiced what they preached, and that is the love of Christ? I always try to follow the old saying “WWJD”. He fed the poor, healed the sick, hung out with the prostitutes, tax collectors and lepers. If ALL denominations practiced “What Would Jesus Do?” There would be unity, would there not?