Letter to the Editor

Hollowell addresses 'attack' on Catholic belief

Sunday, June 12, 2016

To the editor:

It is unfortunate that a recent letter to the editor attacked the Catholic belief that at Mass bread and wine become the real Body and Blood of Christ.

That the recent letter to the editor disputes a teaching that forms the very heart of Catholicism that our congregation was blessed to have our Archbishop expound upon in the midst of a joyous Mass celebrating our 150th anniversary Mass makes the letter even more unfortunate.

The doctrinal dispute comes down to whether or not a Christian believes that Jesus, in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, was speaking literally or metaphorically about eating His Body. Those who believe he was speaking literally would include Pope Francis, Mother Teresa, St Francis of Assisi, St Thomas Aquinas, St Augustine, Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, JRR Tolkien, GK Chesterton, St John Paul 2, St Joan of Arc and 5-10 billion other Catholics who have walked the Earth these last 2,000 years.

At Annunciation, in the midst of celebrating our 150th anniversary, we are very thankful for all of our friendships and partnerships that cross denominational lines. In conjunction with the YMCA, the Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and non denominational Churches, we just wrapped up our fourth "Food for Families 5k" which brings together Christians of all denominations and people of good will from all over Clay County to address local child hunger.

I am not sure that editorial articles are the best place to address doctrinal disputes, but, as St Paul says in his first letter to the Corinthians, "When reviled, we bless...when slandered, we try to work for reconciliation"

A heartfelt "thank you" to all in Clay County who have so warmly worked and prayed with us, and who have joined us in celebrating this 150th anniversary of the Catholic Church's presence in Clay County.