Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!snorkelwacker!apple!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: bfinnert@sal-sun64.usc.edu (Brian Finnerty) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: open communion Message-ID: Date: 9 Feb 90 07:32:17 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Lines: 21 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu The question of inter-communion revolves around a different understanding of the nature of the Eucharist and the Church. Catholics believe that we are not simply saved as individuals, but we are saved in and through the Church. The Catholic Church is not simply another denomination, but it is the true Church established by Christ into which all men are obliged to enter. Moreover, Catholics believe that the Eucharist is not a symbol, but is Jesus Christ himself. Given the Catholic belief that the Eucharist is Christ, it would be strange if the Catholic Church gave communion to recipients who denied that Jesus is really present. For Catholics, inter-communion would represent a unity of faith and worship which we must work for, but does not as yet exist. Brian Finnerty [As far as I can tell, it is the first issue that is the real problem, not the second one. There are many Protestant churches that believe in the real presence, although they do not use transsubstantiation to explain it. --clh]