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This Insights eNewsletter was sent to subscribers on January 26, 2024.

eNewsletter Subject: Sacramental dissimulation

Today in our commentary, Dr. Jeff Mirus brings our attention to a quote from St. John Henry Newman about the horror we ought to have for even a single venial sin. And Phil Lawler is, as ever, abreast of financial chicanery in the Vatican: A Vatican court ruling keeps the lid on financial scandals.

Now, there is a news story I wish to bring attention to: Archbishop of Canterbury celebrates Anglican liturgy at Roman basilica.

This event at the Catholic basilica of San Bartolomeo, which took place with permission of Pope Francis as part of the week for Christian unity, is disturbing because an Anglican “Eucharist” is, of course, a mock sacrament and therefore sacrilegious (I use “mock” in the objective sense, because though we can assume that the intent of the Anglicans is not to mock, that is nonetheless the reality). The simulation of a sacrament is considered such a serious matter that a Catholic who does it incurs automatic excommunication. To bring the point home, imagine a fake sacrament being celebrated on the same consecrated altar where the real Blessed Sacrament is daily offered.

This cannot be placed solely at the feet of the current Pontiff. The Church’s ecumenical directives have for decades allowed for Catholic churches, and even liturgical objects, to be used for non-Catholic Christian services in cases of true “need” where the non-Catholics have no facilities of their own. Such instances are not necessarily sacrilegious, in part depending on what sort of service is involved. (For instance, a generic prayer service or a Vespers is not a simulation of a sacrament which only Catholic priests can offer.) However, the Anglicans have their own rather nice digs in Rome, so no necessity can be alleged here.

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