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THE QUESTION
Sally Quinn and Communion
What do you think about Sally Quinn, a non-Catholic, going to Communion at Tim Russert's Catholic funeral? What are some do's and don'ts for observing the religious rituals of others?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on July 9, 2008 4:49 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Why I Took Holy Communion
I didn't mean any offense or disrespect. I wanted to honor Tim Russert. He was a dear friend and I was devastated by his loss. Communion was offered. I took it. It made me feel uplifted, close to Tim and it assuaged my grief.
Posted by Sally Quinn, on July 11, 2008 5:06 PM
Canon Law and Jesus Christ
If we really believe that the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ, we cannot rule out the possibility that Christ himself was reaching out to grieving people like Sally Quinn at Tim Russert’s funeral mass, and that she responded to his invitation.
Posted by M. Cathleen Kaveny, on July 10, 2008 9:56 AM
The Problem with Rituals
I don't think God gave a hoot that Sally Quinn, a non-Catholic, took communion at Tim Russert's funeral. God didn't make denominations. People did, and continue to do, if the truth be told. And the truth derived by humans is too often not inclusive and welcoming, but exclusive and divisive.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on July 10, 2008 7:54 AM
The Search for Christian Hospitality
I think that Tim would have interpreted her choice with a "hermeneutic of grace," seeing in her action -- which strictly speaking, did violate Catholic protocols -- as a step of faith, and not as an act of disrespect for his religion.
Posted by Brian D. McLaren, on July 10, 2008 5:04 AM
Whom Does Christ Exclude?
Since the sacraments belong to Christ rather even than to Christianity and certainly to Christianity rather than just to Roman Catholicism nobody would have had the right to refuse her. What God has brought together in Christ, do not dare to put asunder in Church
Posted by John Dominic Crossan, on July 9, 2008 12:46 PM
Sally Quinn's Communion: Good Intentions, Poor Judgment
Sally Quinn’s decision to take Communion at Tim Russert’s funeral represented both the best of pluralism and interfaith outreach and the worst of non-religious people failing to “get” religion.
Posted by Daisy Khan, on July 9, 2008 11:04 AM
Communion for Non-Catholics and Kabbalah for Non-Jews....With Integrity
The response to Ms. Quinn’s apparent tone-deafness typifies the responses of all religious watchdog groups, be they Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Hindu. They never miss the opportunity to read a well-intentioned ritual misstep, as purposefully provocative or shamefully disrespectful.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on July 9, 2008 9:48 AM
Invitation Only, but Easy Entry to All
It is the Lord's supper, not ours and it is He who issues the invitation to those who believe in Him and His sacrifice. It is not an occasion to be "crashed" by the uninvited.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on July 9, 2008 8:01 AM
Rituals and Membership Cards
Rituals may light a lamp at the door, but they don't walk the road with you.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on July 9, 2008 7:53 AM
Generosity is the First Rule
All religions have their own practices and interpretations of what their practices mean and those should be respected. No religion, however, owns the sacred, the realm of grace and generosity that is the gift of an infinite God (or spirit if you prefer) to limited and finite people.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on July 9, 2008 6:24 AM
Rituals and the Modern Search for Meaning
For people like Sally Quinn, religious rituals and practices are, with the best of intention, resources that can be used to create personal meaning and connection independent of their metaphysical contexts and belief structures.
Posted by Irwin Kula, on July 9, 2008 1:36 AM
Roman Catholicism: Sally Was Right, But....
In telling us that she, a non-Catholic, took Communion at Tim Russert’s funeral, Sally Quinn has asked us to get personal about her no matter how little or much we “On Faith” panelists may know about her.
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on July 8, 2008 8:15 PM
What would Tim Russert do?
Tim Russert was a premier journalist and a good man. After his memorial service I stood outside the Kennedy Center and marveled at the double rainbow across the Washington sky. I took in that rainbow but I would not have...
Posted by Leith Anderson, on July 8, 2008 7:00 PM
Sensitivity, Common Sense and Good Manners
People have a right to expect that sacred things in their own places of worship will be treated with a level of respect, even reverence. In our pluralistic society, we should set that bar high. This isn’t about exclusion. Nor is it about theology. It’s about sensitivity, common sense and good manners.
Posted by Michael Otterson, on July 8, 2008 6:29 PM
An Ancient Controversy
Many Roman Catholics, including many priests, very much regret this restriction of the eucharistic hospitality they would like to be able to offer. And many Roman Catholics, including many priests, are not only happy but quite eager to receive Communion sometimes from Anglican clergy.
Posted by Nicholas T. Wright, on July 8, 2008 9:13 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
Betsyw: This trend has been going on among some Catholics for some time. At Christmas Eve Mass, many folks who go to Mass once a year take communio...
Laurel Yves: I have heard of Catholic services where non-Catholics were invited to take communion if they wished. These were usually things like wedding...
