Perspectief 2016-34

Perspectie 56 Giulia Casadei MA and Fokke Wouda MA  entertains the double meaning of ‘communion’, referring to the consecrated Eucharistic gifts as well as to the ecclesial communion ( koinonía ), a connection that, in Catholic ecclesiology, is essential to the nature of the church;  defines a unilateral decision to welcome other Christians in one’s own communion, without implying a preconditioned reciprocity. 20 As we try to find a suitable term with which to express the cases we observed, we stick to another popular term: Eucharistic hospitality. Myriam Wijlens chooses to speak of “sharing the Eucharist” 21 , corresponding to the English translation of the 1993 ecumenical directory, which translates communicatio in sacris as “sharing in sacramental life, especially the eucharist” 22 . This terminology indeed describes what happens, although in a very general way. However, it does not articulate the exceptionality of the practice when performed in ecumenical contexts; also Christians within one church share the Eucharist. We advocate the term Eucharistic hospitality to refer to these situations. Eucharistic hospitality is a common term, although just as intercommunion it is somewhat vague and risks misinterpretation. However, since the Catholic Church does not allow for open and reciprocal table fellowship, it more adequately addresses both the exceptionality of the practice in ecumenical contexts, as well as the receptiveness that Paul Murray advocates as “ethics for life in between” 23 during the current stage of the ecumenical process. 24 It does reflect this receptivity better than the term admission, which has a more juridical connotation, and better than sharing the Eucharist, which is too general. 20 The Directory , however, does say that mutuality in practice is favorable. Cf. § 105. 21 Myriam Wijlens, Sharing the Eucharist , p. XVII. 22 PCPCU, Directory , header over § 122-136, Cf. Wijlens, Sharing the Eucharist , p. XVIII. 23 Murray, Receptive Ecumenism , 12. Cf. the contribution of Viorel Coman for an explanation of Murray’s concept. 24 Cf. also Walter Kaspers reference to this period as an “intermediate stage” in the ecumenical process: Walter Kasper, Harvesting the Fruits; Basic Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue (London/New York, NY: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2009), p. 201.