Archbishop says Canadian leader meant no disrespect by receiving Eucharist

July 10, 2009

Archbishop André Richard of Moncton, New Brunswick has come to the defense of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has been roundly criticized for taking Communion during a funeral Mass. A spokesman for Harper said that the prime minister, who is Protestant, did not realize that it was improper for him to receive Communion. "In the context," Archbishop Richard said, "it's obvious that no disrespect was meant." The archbishop did not address the issue of his own failure to give Harper proper instruction.

 

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Further information:

• Archbishop says PM meant no harm in wafer faux pas (Toronto Star)
• Dispute rises over Canadian prime minister's reception of Communion (CWN, Jul 9)