The Saint Euphrosynos Cafe

January 22, 2016

A group of Lutherans have received Holy Communion at the Vatican after meeting Pope Francis, according to reports coming out of Rome.

The Lutherans from Finland, led by Bishop Samuel Salmi of Oulu, indicated by the traditional method of crossing their arms over their chests that they should not be offered the sacrament at Mass in the Basilica. But the priests went ahead and gave it to them regardless, Edward Pentin in Rome reported for NCRegister.

To read the entire article, please click: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/l ... /77425.htm

Here is more from the National Catholic Register
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-p ... -basilica/

... The report said the youth choir from Finland sung at the Mass, and Bishop Salmi was asked to greet those present on behalf of the Finnish Lutherans. So there was no doubt who they were.

Bishop Salmi said Pope Francis was not present at the Mass, but said the Pope had repeatedly indicated he would like to develop unity between different denominations. The bishop, who in 2011 said homosexuals should have "full rights" in the Lutheran church, also told the news agency that Pope Francis has theological enemies in the Vatican and so may be limited in how freely he can speak. ...

Although the pope did not give communion to the Lutherans, he had to have known about it.

Now that the deed has been done, is the Vatican going to make the declaration that communion has been established, and that the Council of Trent no longer applies as it anathematized Martin Luther.

Now we are seeing the "hard indicators" of what this is going to lead to. Lord Have Mercy!

Maria wrote:

Although the pope did not give communion to the Lutherans, he had to have known about it. Now that the deed has been done, is the Vatican going to make the declaration that communion has been established, and that the Council of Trent no longer applies as it anathematized Martin Luther.

If they do decide to open communion with the Lutherans in regards to shared and mutually recognized Eucharist, then judging by the present sentiments and condition of members of both the RCC and the Lutherans, this will only be greeted by applause and rejoicing and roundly declared an end to prejudice and misunderstanding, and that this is truly an appeal to people's higher and better nature, and to reject it or criticise it would be proof that someone is twisted and darkened both morally and in the faculty of reason. At least, that is what I would expect, but perhaps I am too pessimistic about the desire of people to appreciate the truths of Dogma.