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Last Updated: Friday - 09/24/2010
Week of May 7, 2001
WCR Letters to the Editor
Reconciliation is a sacrament too
I was disturbed by what I read in the column of Father Ron Rolheiser, in the April 2 WCR, regarding the headline "Eucharist is basic form of reconciliation."It is not my intention to go into theological discussion, but to make some comments as a lay person.
From what I know about St. Augustine, I'm sure it is very unlikely that his writings would contain such nonsense as repeated by Father Rolheiser.
St. Augustine would never go against the teachings of the Holy Scripture (See 1 Corinthians 11:27-29) or of the Catholic Church, which states that one must be free from mortal sin before receiving Eucharist.
The Eucharist is not ordered to the forgiveness of mortal sins, which is proper only to the sacrament of Reconciliation (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1395).
Although Holy Eucharist cleanses us from venial sins, its main purpose is to be our spiritual nourishment, "Take and eat. . . . Take and drink," Jesus said.
Father Rolheiser does not deny the role of the sacrament of Reconciliation; however, he says its role is not essential, but rather secondary (something like aftershave lotion).
Hopefully I pray that one day Father Rolheiser will come to his senses and replace his old wash-water of errors with the pure wine of Catholic teaching.
Lois Head
Edam, Sask.
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