Dear FCC family,
Recently, there has been some talk regarding who should or shouldn’t be denied Holy Communion. This debate stems from a plan being put forward by American bishops to deny Communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion rights, in particular, President Joe Biden. In response, Pope Francis has cautioned Catholic bishops against using Communion as a political tool.
I wonder how many of us have been denied Communion at some point in our lives for one reason or another, including being LGBTQ. When I think about the history of the Church — both Catholic and Protestant — I think about how the name of Jesus has been used and exploited for human beings’ own ends to justify exclusion and injustice.
We cannot talk about Ecclesia without talking about Jesus. Jesus is the central figure but has sadly been exploited at times by the Church, and by us, to fit our own preferences and agendas. As a community of Jesus followers, we need to re-encounter Christ in personal and transformative ways. That’s the only way for us to truly be Church.
Join us this Sunday as we reflect on Ecclesia and Jesus!
Shalom,
Pauline