During Catholic wedding or funeral Masses, I have witnessed the chagrined looks of non-Catholics when asking them to please read our disciplines regarding the Eucharist and its reception.
The Roman Catholic Church does not practice open communion. There are several reasons. We have always believed, based on Scripture, that the bread and wine become the actual Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist, which we refer to as the Real Presence, is not a mere symbolic act for Catholics. Second, to receive Holy Communion means we are in communion with all members of the Catholic (i.e, universal) Church throughout the world, and with the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope.
Admittedly, these are stumbling blocks for many Christians and present a fundamental difference of how we interpret Scripture and our theology regarding Holy Communion. We are not trying to discriminate against or condemn the teachings of other Christians but merely holding fast to our interpretation of Scripture and Sacred Tradition. If other Christian denominations practice open communion, so be it. That is certainly within their right of interpretation and praxis.
This salient point brings me to the subject of marriage. Once again, based on our interpretation of Scripture, the Roman Catholic Church teaches that marriage is a sacrament, a sacred covenant or bond between a man and woman that reflects the love of Christ for His bride, the Church. This covenant involves the individual sexuality of the couple. According to Catholic teaching, marital sexuality achieves two purposes. The first is the potential of creating new human life, sometimes called the procreative dimension of sexuality. In giving birth to children and educating them, the couple cooperates with the Creator’s love.
Second, sexual union expresses and deepens the love between husband and wife. This is called the unitive, or relational, aspect of sexuality.
Once again, the Catholic Church is being criticized as being bigoted or insensitive to the plight of the gay community by denying them the opportunity to marry in the Church.
I would invite you to read Pope John Paul II’s pastoral letter to parents of gay children titled “Always our Children.” Gay members of the Catholic Church — and I’m sure in all Christian denominations — have added to the richness and beauty of our Christian communities by sharing their time, talent and treasure in helping build up the Kingdom of God.
As a pastor, I have heard many heart-wrenching stories of how gay people suffered for years from caustic remarks to actual physical abuse. With this type of abuse and pain, only a person with masochistic tendencies would freely choose this orientation. Our basic sexual orientation, despite the absurd ranting of some preachers, is not a choice, but something with which we are born, like the color of our hair. Also, before citing deviant behavior below the belly button, the heterosexual community needs to address its aberrant sexual behavior ranging from adultery to pornography.
So, where does this leave the Christian community regarding same-sex marriage? Some churches will enthusiastically open their doors to celebrate gay weddings, citing justice and compassion. Others will not only keep their doors closed but slam them shut, citing biblical condemnation of homosexuality. Each will go with its own interpretation of Scripture.
The Catholic Church will never perform same-sex weddings. It will have to abide by the civil law, acknowledging the clearly defined separation of church and state. However, based on its interpretation of Scripture, it will never view the union of same-sex couples as a sacrament, just as it will never practice open communion.
The Supreme Court’s recognition of same-sex marriages, which is basically an interpretation regarding civil rights, will result in ongoing, contentious debates reflecting strong emotions on both sides of the issue. However, it will also be a litmus test of our demeanor as Christians.
Father Jonathan Morris, a commentator on Fox News (whose sister happens to be gay), recently came upon a Gay Pride Parade while walking the streets in New York City. Two gay men who spied his Roman collar spat upon him.
Father Morris’s remark was priceless, reflecting his and hopefully every Christian heart: “The greatest evidence of authentic good will…is the way we treat people with whom we passionately disagree.”
•The Rev. Greg Plata is pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.
