Letters

Real Presence

Theo Jorna

Contents - Aug 2012 - Buy a copy now Assumption homily: Mary: The true Ark of the Covenant - Pope Benedict XVI Benedict XVI sets up Anglican Ordinariate for Australia - Monsignor Harry Entwistle News: The Church Around the World Youth: Young adult Catholics peer ministry in WA and Queensland - Br Barry Coldrey Religious freedom: US Supreme Court upholds Obamacare - Babette Francis Vocations: Australian religious Sisters: 'In the true spirit of Vatican II' - Kate Cleary MGL Events: Equipping Christian leaders for the challenges of secularism - Philippa Le Feuvre Marriage: Archbishop Hickey: the Eucharist and the Christian family - Archbishop Barry Hickey The Virgin Mary's key role in our salvation history - Cedric Wright Parents' love for their children: finding the right balance - Andrew Kania Letters: Fact-filled article - Thomas and Patricia Watkin Letters: Caritas - Lance Eccles Letters: Old Testament God (1) - Fr Brian Harrison OS Letters: Old Testament God (2) - Frank Mobbs Letters: Emily's List - Maureen Federico Letters: Transubstantiation - John Young Letters: Real Presence - Theo Jorna Letters: Women priests - Francis Vrizmoed Letters: Marriage - Peter J. Young Books: LESSONS IN A ROSE-GARDEN: Reviving the Doctrinal Rosary, by Aidan Nichols O.P. - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: THE NEW EVANGELISATION: Issues and Challenges for Catholic Schools - Br Barry Coldrey (reviewer) Books: HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL IN THE PRIESTLY BREAST: Procedural Justice - Michael Thomas (reviewer) Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: The Pietà: the love of our heavenly Mother - Anne Lastman

In July AD2000 Frank Mobbs' comment on transubstantiation he makes references to "anyone, us or we". Would that be because most intellectuals don't like to use the word "I"? Perhaps he should refer to himself as having difficulty in how his belief might be enkindled by the doctrine of transubstantiation.

When controversies arise, especially regarding the "Real Presence", the Church in her wisdom confirms the faithful, hence the doctrine of transubstantiation to oppose Luther's false claims of consubstantiation. In reality many people do not believe in transubstantiation and have only some vague idea about the Real Presence. One Priest who had trouble with the the doctrine of transubstantiation once told me "that the Real Presence lies in the presence" (whatever that is supposed to mean!). That same priest also had trouble believing in the doctrine on Purgatory.

To promulgate a doctrine, the Church draws on both "Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition", and then confirms it by her teaching authority. It seems rather strange then that Dr Mobbs should only refer to the Gospel narratives about what Christ taught, "for as Peter speaks so does Christ".

It seems to me that the only theologians that are obsessed are those having trouble with the doctrine of transubstantiation. Instead of trying to explain what the doctrine means and how it can enhance one's devotion to the Blessed Eucharist, as it has with me, they would rather put it into the "Who cares?" basket.

THEO JORNA
Redland Bay, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 25 No 7 (August 2012), p. 16