Although I was raised as a Protestant, I often find my
beliefs and values align solidly with those of my devout Catholic relatives and
friends. In the Christian Disciples of Christ denomination in which I was
baptized, emphasis is placed upon the rite of communion, which is celebrated
weekly. One of the beliefs I admire most about the Disciples of Christ is the
ecumenical stance on communion, inviting all who profess belief in Christ to
partake in communion, not just those who are members of the church, emphasizing
that Christ offers the invitation to commune with Him and those who believe in
Him.
In I Corinthians 11:23-33, Paul offers directives for communion based upon what he “received from the Lord himself” that continue to guide Christian churches today. He describes how during the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and proclaimed, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” Then He took the cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people––an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”
Clearly, the significance of this commemoration means that all believers should be included. However, a recent directive by Pope Francis would exclude many Catholics from participating in this sacred rite of communion. According to Vatican Radio, the Pope requested that a letter be sent to Diocesan Bishops regarding appropriate bread and wine for the Eucharist; this letter specifies that gluten-free bread may not be used for communion. To quote this document, “Hosts that are completely gluten-free are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist.”
According to this directive, “The bread used in the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so there is no danger of decomposition. It follows therefore that bread made from another substance, even if it is grain, or if it is mixed with another substance different from wheat to such an extent it would not commonly be considered wheat bread, does not constitute valid matter for confecting the Sacrifice and the Eucharistic Sacrament.”
Consequently, those who have gluten intolerance, such as those with celiac disease or many people with autism, would not be able to partake in communion in Catholic churches. While I am neither a Catholic nor a member of the clergy, I do not believe this is what Christ intended when He instructed Christians to remember Him through communion. As the mother of a child with autism who has sensitivity to gluten, I do not believe that Jesus would want my son or any other person with gluten intolerance issues to consume bread that would make them ill. Nor do I believe that Jesus would want my child nor any other with autism excluded from communion.
Those churches that recognize the dietary needs of their parishioners who must adhere to gluten-free diets and provide them with gluten-free bread as an alternative for communion reflect a welcoming spirit that should be part of communion. Rather than excluding believers, churches should be including them as part of a rite that binds Christians together. Instead of insisting that the bread be made of wheat, churches should remember Christ’s teachings, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” I sincerely hope that the Catholic Church will prayerfully consider the importance of showing mercy to those who cannot eat wheat by offering them alternative communion bread. To deny these believers access to a significant rite seems to be directly in contrast to what Christ intended.
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” I Peter 3:8
In I Corinthians 11:23-33, Paul offers directives for communion based upon what he “received from the Lord himself” that continue to guide Christian churches today. He describes how during the Last Supper, Jesus broke bread and proclaimed, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” Then He took the cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people––an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it. For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.”
Clearly, the significance of this commemoration means that all believers should be included. However, a recent directive by Pope Francis would exclude many Catholics from participating in this sacred rite of communion. According to Vatican Radio, the Pope requested that a letter be sent to Diocesan Bishops regarding appropriate bread and wine for the Eucharist; this letter specifies that gluten-free bread may not be used for communion. To quote this document, “Hosts that are completely gluten-free are invalid matter for the celebration of the Eucharist.”
According to this directive, “The bread used in the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharistic Sacrifice must be unleavened, purely of wheat, and recently made so there is no danger of decomposition. It follows therefore that bread made from another substance, even if it is grain, or if it is mixed with another substance different from wheat to such an extent it would not commonly be considered wheat bread, does not constitute valid matter for confecting the Sacrifice and the Eucharistic Sacrament.”
Consequently, those who have gluten intolerance, such as those with celiac disease or many people with autism, would not be able to partake in communion in Catholic churches. While I am neither a Catholic nor a member of the clergy, I do not believe this is what Christ intended when He instructed Christians to remember Him through communion. As the mother of a child with autism who has sensitivity to gluten, I do not believe that Jesus would want my son or any other person with gluten intolerance issues to consume bread that would make them ill. Nor do I believe that Jesus would want my child nor any other with autism excluded from communion.
Those churches that recognize the dietary needs of their parishioners who must adhere to gluten-free diets and provide them with gluten-free bread as an alternative for communion reflect a welcoming spirit that should be part of communion. Rather than excluding believers, churches should be including them as part of a rite that binds Christians together. Instead of insisting that the bread be made of wheat, churches should remember Christ’s teachings, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” I sincerely hope that the Catholic Church will prayerfully consider the importance of showing mercy to those who cannot eat wheat by offering them alternative communion bread. To deny these believers access to a significant rite seems to be directly in contrast to what Christ intended.
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” I Peter 3:8
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