The Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church has NEVER taught that Eucharist is owed to anyone, and it never taught everyone should or can receive Eucharist. Furthermore, the Church has always taught that if you are in mortal sin you should not go to communion. The Church also teaches that any graces equated with the Eucharist are not available for those who receive the body, blood soul and divinity of Christ unworthily, that is in mortal sin. I learned that in second grade and then it was reiterated in the seminary. It does not matter how may deacons, priests or bishops try to teach the contrary, the truth is the truth. Sadly, there are deacons, priests and bishops who go against the teaching of the Church. ANATHAMA!

In our Catholic schools some teachers tell their students it is okay to leave before communion if the priest says something that angers them. WHAT? NO! The summit of Catholic worship of the Catholic, is not based on a particular person’s feelings.

In a conversation with two priests the subject of a woman leaving before the Holy Eucharist came up. I stated that the action says more about her than it does the priest she was annoyed by. You would have thought I called for the overthrow of the Church. If you are not in mortal sin, go to communion, don’t ever deny yourself God if you can receive God.

How does this tie into the priest sexual abuse issue? If members of the Church cannot even get Eucharist correct everything down wind is so much dross. I don’t blame the people in the pews who have never been catechized but clergy should know better. Since we do not defend God is it surprising we do not defend those who have been abused