When I saw Frank Lockwood noting that a dog had been given communion at Anglican Church in Canada (“An unbaptized dog, to make matters worse.“) my first thought was, “What are those crazy Anglicans up to now. . . ”
According to those in attendance at the historical church at 188 Carlton St. in downtown Toronto, it was a spontaneous gesture, one intended to make both the dog and its owner – a first timer at the church — feel welcomed. But at least one parishioner saw the act as an affront to the rules and regulations of the Anglican Church. He filed a complaint with the reverend and with the Anglican Diocese of Toronto about the incident – and has since left the church.
“I wrote back to the parishioner that it is not the policy of the Anglican Church to give communion to animals,” said Bishop Patrick Yu, the area bishop of York-Scarborough responsible for St. Peter’s, who received the complaint in early July. “I can see why people would be offended. It is a strange and shocking thing, and I have never heard of it happening before.
“I think the reverend was overcome by what I consider a misguided gesture of welcoming.”
After reading the article, I’m more inclined to cut the interim priest some slack. The article says Rev. Marguerite Rea is justifiably embarrassed about the whole thing so I don’t want to be too hard on her personally. But what troubles me is the the attempt by some people to justify the act as something Jesus himself would approve of.
Peggy Needham, the deputy people’s warden, said that she received a complaint saying that Christ wouldn’t have liked it, but that in her opinion, “Christ would have thought it was neat. It was just being human. And it made everyone smile.”
This is the sort of claim made by people who form their opinion about what our Lord would approve of by from watching Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. I’m not sure where the idea came from that Jesus was some happy-go-lucky hippie that just liked to see people smile as they shake off their uptight bougie religious inhibitions. That certainly isn’t the picture of Jesus found in the Gospels.
And while I can appreciate not letting elective religious practices get in the way of welcoming a newcomer to church, disrespect to the Lord’s table is not something to be taken lightly. The intention might be to make a visitor feel comfortable, but the real message being sent is that they members of the church don’t take communion seriously—so newcomers shouldn’t take it seriously either. But if nothing is sacred, then you no longer have a church; you just have a religious club that is going to the dogs.
July 23rd, 2010 | 1:41 pm
“Christ would have thought it was neat.”
Not according to Matthew 7:6: “Do not give dogs what is holy….”
July 23rd, 2010 | 2:13 pm
Cut him some slack?! Pshaw.
July 23rd, 2010 | 2:37 pm
her*
July 23rd, 2010 | 3:15 pm
According to the hymn we sang this weekend at my Catholic parish, “All Are Welcome”. I never saw any exclusion for animals and we sing that hymn almost every week. St. Francis would certainly approve.
July 23rd, 2010 | 3:24 pm
I really, really don’t think that St. Francis would approve. Something about the true presence and respect for the Eucharist…
July 23rd, 2010 | 3:41 pm
There’s not a chance in the world that St. Francis would have approved giving the Body of the Lord to a dog. I’m sure the thought would have horrified him.
But the story is about an Anglican church, and their views of the Eucharist vary widely, but even the lowest church Evangelical Anglican I’ve known would not have done this. I wonder what is the theology supporting “the policy of the Anglican Church” in this matter.
July 24th, 2010 | 9:52 am
True, St. Francis probably would not approve. But his kindeness and affection for animals is an example for us all. I enjoy reading “the wolf of Gubbio”, obviously mythical, but it surely is a touching story, and probably arose, because of Francis’s love for animals.
July 25th, 2010 | 1:16 pm
I used to work in an office with a woman who sold Avon on the side and always had seasonal Avon figurines on her desk to attract potential buyers. The figurines were usually roly-poly bears wearing red, white, and blue (Fourth of July) or green (St. Patrick’s Day).
One Advent I was shocked to see an Avon nativity scene composed of a bear Mary, a bear Joseph, and a tiny bear Jesus in a manger. I held my tongue for a day or so to calm down, and then I told her that I found those particular bears offensive. She put them away without making a scene, but was clearly puzzled at me. I said, “What happens at Easter? Is there a little bear Son of God dying on a cross? Avon just wasn’t thinking when they decided to sell these.”
I was wrong about that. Google “bear nativity” and you’ll find all SORTS of companies selling all sorts of animal nativity sets. (But God forbid they put Muhammad in a bear suit!)
July 26th, 2010 | 3:01 pm
This story fits well with the one about P.D. James’s high-minded agnosticism. To believe that it is acceptable to give the Eucharist to a dog is possible only if, as Roger Scruton says of those who attend Church of England services out of habit and cultural identity, they “don’t believe a word of it.”
Some of the comments here are a sober reminder that many Catholics in the pews do not believe in the Real Presence either, even in their own Church.
July 27th, 2010 | 11:27 am
My knowledge of the wolf of Gubbio and St Francis is based on a series of pictures in the National Gallery in London. My understanding is that the saint persuaded the wolf to give up eating the inhabitants of the town in return for a daily bowl of food from them. St Francis is shown shaking hand and paw with the wolf on this bargain. I do not think he therefore felt the wolf should also be given communion, what meaning could the sacrament have to the wolf?
July 30th, 2010 | 9:02 am
Since the wolf of Gubbio understood the agreement he (it) made the saint Francis,and offered his paw to the saint, then certainly he (it) could also understand Christ. It follows, that he (it) could have been rightfuly confirmed by saint Francis (who else?) . So, in opposition to Jean L’Esperance I think, that saint Francis certainly would agree to the Holy Communion.
August 6th, 2010 | 10:23 am
I don’t know why you seem to think you know how Jesus treated animals, nor do I know much of the anglican religion, What I do know is that St. Francis of Assisi modeled himself under the principles of Jesus and surrendered his wealth to live a life of poverty and charity.
He extended that charity towards animals and in a quote to the famous story of the birds “…And although you neither know how to spin or weave, God dresses you and your children, for the Creator loves you greatly and He blesses you abundantly. Therefore… always seek to praise God.”
So before you decide you know what Jesus himself would approve or disapprove of, perhaps you should consider more reflection and prayer, since those who devoted their lives to his calling have come to a very different conclusion than you have.
Links
Blogs
Find Us
Contact