Bishops signal disquiet on McAleese C of I communion

The Irish Catholic bishops have strongly signalled their belief that President McAleese should not take communion at a Protestant service again. After a meeting of the standing committee of the Irish Bishops Conference, the Hierarchy yesterday repeated its teaching that it is not permissible for Roman Catholics to take communion in Protestant churches. Mrs McAleese took communion at a service in Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin on December 7th. The bishops' spokesman, Father Martin Clarke, said they did not wish "to censure or embarass" the President, but "it is hoped the issue will not arise again". Mrs McAleese's action "took everyone by surprise," he added.

He said there was no question of any sanction of any sort being taken against her. Asked what would happen if Mrs McAleese took the same course again, he said this had not been discussed. He was unable to say what sanctions, if any, might apply in such a case.

Speaking after yesterday's meeting at Maynooth, Father Clarke said the bishops were now "supportive" of the return to Ireland of the former Bishop of Galway, Dr Eamonn Casey, and would be actively pursuing the matter.

And following the C case, they also called for a referendum "in which the people would have the option of excluding deliberate abortion".

The attendance at yesterday's meeting included the Catholic primate and Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Sean Brady, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, the Archbishop of Cashel, Dr Dermot Clifford, and the Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Michael Neary.

Father Clarke said the bishops were concerned "not to censure or embarrass the President, or to damage ecumenical relations". They were also concerned at the confusion caused on the ground as different priests expressed different views on the matter last week. He said they wished to clarify that "the Eucharist was a sign of unity achieved rather than of unity aspired to".

They affirmed that it was "not permissible for Roman Catholics to receive Communion in Protestant churches or at Protestant services." In the New Year, the bishops hoped to publish a document further clarifying issues surrounding the Eucharist and interChurch Communion.

He stressed that the Irish bishops were expressing the universal rule of the Church on inter-church communion, he said - not just their own view. Inter-Church Communion was not permissible for either Roman Catholics in Protestant Churches, or for Protestants in Roman Catholic churches.

It was envisaged, he said, that yesterday's clarification by the bishops would lead to a discontinuance of inter-church communion where it had been taking place.

Regarding Dr Casey, he said the bishops had confirmed the former Bishop of Galway's contract in Ecuador would end next "April or May". They understood his desire to come home, and expected to be consulted by the Congregation of Bishops in Rome, which would decide on his future. The Irish bishops would be "supportive" and "sympathetic" towards Dr Casey should that happen, he said, and would be working towards achieving Dr Casey's return. They believed this might be possible by next summer.

On abortion, Father Clarke said the bishops believed the recent C case pointed to "the need for a new referendum in which the people should have the option to exclude deliberate abortion".