The cardinal's scandalous text. He attacks Catholics who kneel to Holy Communion

Chicago Metropolitan Card. Blase Cupich criticizes Catholics who kneel to receive Holy Communion.

On 11 December, Cardinal Cupich published an article on the page of the Archdiocese paper “Chicago Catholic” in which he declared his willingness to impose on all the same way of receiving Holy Communion – standing up.

Hierarch began the text with a mention to the Second Vatican Council. He pointed out that the Council's Fathers were the first to adopt the Constitution on the liturgy of "Sacrosanctum concilium". He wrote that the Fathers of the Council asked for “the full, active and conscious participation of all those baptized in the celebration of the Eucharist.”

"The ritual of receiving Holy Communion is so of peculiar importance. The adoption of the Eucharist is not private, but community, which is suggested by the word “community”. Therefore, the norm established by the Holy See for the universal Church and approved by the Conference of the United States Episcopal Conference is the processional reception of Holy Communion standing up as an expression of becoming the Body of Christ," he said.

He then praised the liturgical procession as an ancient Christian practice, and branded those who “tender” the procession.

"Nothing should be done that hinders these processes. Disturbing this minute diminishes the powerful symbolic image. [...] Hi may and should be expressed by bow before receiving Holy Communion, but no 1 should execute gestures that attract attention or interfere with the procession. This would be contrary to the norms of the Church," he pointed out.

It is not written straight about those who kneel, but it is apparent that attention is paid to specified people.

The text by Archbishop Blase Cupich is based on serious manipulation.

First, it gives the impression that the Second Vatican Council recommended receiving Holy Communion standing. That is not the case. The Constitution of the Sacrosanctum concilium does not make specified a recommendation.

Secondly, it is not actual that the Holy See approved after the Second Vatican Council as a "standard for the universal Church" the reception of Holy Communion standing. The U.S. version of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: "The standards for reception of Holy Communication in the dioces of the United States is standing", or "The standard for receiving Holy Communion in the dioceses of the United States is standing".

The text itself indicates that it is simply a standard for the US, not for the universal Church. In the Polish edition we read something else, namely: “The faithful accept Holy Communion in a kneeling or standing attitude, in accordance with the resolution of the Episcopal Conference”. That's what OWMR says in French, Spanish or Italian editions. It's just a typical edition... In another words, contrary to the cardinal's words, standing attitude is not the norm of the universal Church, but of the US.

So it turns out – as usual! – that the fight against conventional forms of Catholic piety is carried out with pride “in the name of the Council”. The problem is that it is not about the authentic teaching of the council or even the actual later documents, but only about the "spirit of the council" – that is, the progressive and frequently counterfactual "interpretation".

Will Catholics in Chicago – including many Poles – submit to specified “interpretations” of their metropolitan? Well, the American OWMR says that those who nevertheless accept Holy Communion on their knees should receive it; the priest should “soulfully” instruct them after the Holy Mass. We propose that the faithful first teach specified a leader of progressiveness about simple facts – that is, that receiving Holy Communion on his knees in a better way honors the Body of Christ – God Himself.

Pache