Posted by JenStar on August 23, 2004, at 16:26:33
In reply to Re: communion denied/ wafer contained no wheat, posted by Jai Narayan on August 22, 2004, at 20:18:46
Yes, I know the disease isn't fabricated. It can cause gastric distress, cramping/bloating (similar to lactose intolerance), and over time the chronic inflammation -- if wheat is continually ingested -- can make the body more susceptible to certain kinds of cancer. (At least, that's what I got out of a few studies I found on the web.)
Here I go with the "devil's advocate" position -- please don't read if this topic will make you mad! (I like to argue; for this topic, I'm genuinely unsure of which way I lean: in favor of the church, or in favor of the girl/mother, or a combo of both. Arguing for one or the other side helps me figure things out. My arguments are not meant to be insulting or offensive to any person here!)
Although celiac disease can cause great discomfort, research doesn't indicate that most people have a fatal reaction to small quantities of wheat. It's hard to believe that eating ONE HOST (in order to receive the sacrament of First Holy Communion) could cause instant death or severe gastric distress. Most studies show that it's the long-term effects of wheat that are the most worrisome to sufferers of the disease.
Also, the church did offer the girl a low-gluten wafer, which she & her mother refused.
I believe the Church's stance was that the wheat wafer needed to be taken at least once, for the official sacrament. After that, the girl could receive the spiritual benefits of communion regardless of whether the wafers had wheat or not.
By refusing to do it even once, it seems to me that they are taking a stance against the church, when they could probably make do with some of the alternatives offered.
Also, if you ARE truly religious, isn't the body of Christ worth some cramping and suffering on a one-time basis? Think of what the Christian martyrs endured...doesn't it seem that if one really wants to know God, a little diarrhea shouldn't stand in the way?
[although: could it be called "child abuse" if the parent of a celiac-disease child encouraged that child to eat wheat one time only for a religious sacrament, knowing it might cause some cramping and diarrhea?]
Now I'm not saying that all of that is my "official" position on this topic, but it's the arguments I mentally review when I think about it. I also have lots of arguments on why the Church SHOULD offer a wheat wafer.
Fun stuff...
As a point of interest, is there anyone out there who thinks the girl should just take the wheat wafer and be done with it?
JenStar
poster:JenStar
thread:380784
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040820/msgs/381391.html