(no subject)

[tree_and_leaf]

Dear Grauniad,

it's not that I can't see why you find the story quirky and amusing and generally reminiscent of Father Ted, because I can:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,2204547,00.html

But honestly: while I don't expect you to treat the matter reverently, couldn't you come up with a slightly less lame way of refering to the consecrated wine than holy tipple? Fail.

I suppose, incidentally, this puts paid to the urban myth that priests are exempt from the breathylyser test in Ireland. I suspect that the claims of an Anglican priest of my acquaintance, that Church of England clergy are exempt from the law on speeding if they're going to take a service are similarly mythical. (In case anyone is getting worried, my friend has neither a driving licence or a car, so don't panic about being mown down by a vicar on his way to Evensong....)

Comments

[lilliburlero.livejournal.com]

I wonder would it be OK for the priest to take communion in only one kind if he thinks he may have to drive later in the day? The answer we always got, as baby Catholics, when we asked why laypeople didn't get a go of the wine, was that both body and blood were present in the one kind. Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander?

[tree_and_leaf]

Someone has to consume the wine, though - unlike the bread, it can't be reserved AFAIK, and I don't know if the Mass would be valid if you only consecrated the bread. I'm not a canon lawyer, but I suspect not.

[lilliburlero.livejournal.com]

Hmm. So maybe the communicant could drink the wine and the priest abstain?

I'm also just giggling over the thought of an exchange like:
"The blood of Christ."
"No, no -- I'm driving."

[tree_and_leaf]

Heh.

Of course, the celebrant could just use a very small amount of wine if he's the only one recieving in both kinds, I wouldn't have thought that even two masses would then put you over the limit (how much is it in Ireland?) There's actually more of an issue where the congregation is consuming in both kinds, as you have to guess how many of the congregation are actually going to communicate, and the celebrant can end up with quite a lot of wine to finish off. Which is one reason - combined with job related stress - why Anglican priests are warned to be careful about the dangers of alcoholism, it's too easy to get used to drinking more than you think you are.

[lilliburlero.livejournal.com]

I think it's still 0.8mg/100ml of blood, same as in the UK, but there's a legislation pending to make it 0.5mg. I wouldn't have thought a couple of sips of wine would breach that, but we love a good kerfuffle, especially when "the politically correct brigade" can be accused of something (like trying to save people's lives, or trivial stuff like that).

[tree_and_leaf]

but we love a good kerfuffle, especially when "the politically correct brigade" can be accused of something (like trying to save people's lives, or trivial stuff like that).

I think it may be a universal phenomenon...

[lilliburlero.livejournal.com]

I'd like to join the politically correct brigade, but I don't know where the recruiting office is...

[tree_and_leaf]

Frustrating, isn't it? I'm still a bit sad I've not been invited to join any Liberal Conspiracies, either.