Phoenix Diocese Stops Wine With Communion

September 26, 2011

In a change considered to be one of the most radical to the Roman Catholic Church's customs in decades, the Phoenix Diocese will stop offering consecrated wine for Communion at most Masses. 

Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted made the change after accepting a new translation of the Mass and other church documents. No other Diocese has announced plans to make the same change and the Phoenix Diocese has not said when the change will take effect. 

During the 1970s, the Church allowed wine to be distributed for Communion. Previously, only members of the clergy had been allowed to have wine with Communion. According to the Church, "the bread and wine used during the service actually are transformed into the body and blood of Christ."

The decision had drawn the ire of many members of the clergy. "The majority of priests were stunned and aghast at the announcement, and I hear some are planning to meet to see how best to respond," the Rev. James Turner, pastor of St. Thomas More in Glendale, told Arizona Central. "While the bishop has the authority to make this policy change, there is no scriptural, theological or sacramental rationale that makes any sense."

According to a press release from the Phoenix Diocese, "communion under the species of bread alone makes it possible to receive all the fruit of the Eucharistic grace." 

What do you think of this change? 

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Comments

Luther's Daughter's picture

Well, celebrating the Holy Eucharist is fundamental to Christianity. It is a remembrance and only the Catholic church chose to teach the superstition that it actually turns into Christ's actual blood and body when it is clearly a metaphor as the majority of His teachings were. Jesus' teachings are for us ALL and so are the traditions we use to remember Him by. "Do this, in remembrance of Me"
There are no other "translations" no other "takes". That's bunk. Though they seem to have no problem with "re-translating" Thou shalt have no other gods and thou shalt have no graven images. And many do take "Suffer the little children" shockingly, quite literally so this surprises me not one bit.

The Reformation was the best thing to happen to Christianity since the day Jesus rose from the dead!

Luther's Daughter's picture

Well, celebrating the Holy Eucharist is fundamental to Christianity. It is a remembrance and only the Catholic church chose to teach the superstition that it actually turns into Christ's actual blood and body when it is clearly a metaphor as the majority of His teachings were. Jesus' teachings are for us ALL and so are the traditions we use to remember Him by. "Do this, in remembrance of Me"
There are no other "translations" no other "takes". That's bunk. Though they seem to have no problem with "re-translating" Thou shalt have no other gods and thou shalt have no graven images. And many do take "Suffer the little children" shockingly, quite literally so this surprises me not one bit.

The Reformation was the best thing to happen to Christianity since the day Jesus rose from the dead!

Luther's Daughter's picture

Whoops!!! To err is human!! To totally mess up requires the aid of a computer!!!

I don't know why that double posted! Sorry!! :)