Bishop of Linz on Corpus Christi Scandal

Statement published in Linz- Cathcon translation

The five Linz parishes of St. Mark, Christ the King, Urfahr City Parish, St. Leopold and the Linz City Parish together celebrated Corpus Christi this year on the square between the Ars Electronica Centre and Urfahr Parish Church. The form of the ceremony has triggered irritation.

For the Eucharist, the five Parishes used bread baked specifically according to relevant regulations. It was consecrated in Mass and distributed in communion. Some bread remained left over. Sisters thereupon brought this consecrated Bread to the surrounding parishes, so it could be used in the services. So they were used at two Masses in the Basilica on Pöstlingberg. The Parish Priest Joseph Pichler OSF also offered communicants the opportunity to receive the usual Hosts.

On an internet platform , the form of the celebration was criticized. The Linz parishes showed surprise at the criticism. The ceremony itself was conducted in a worthy manner with no criticism in the parishes.

Special forms need permission.

Diocesan Bishop Ludwig Schwarz now points to the regulation of Corpus Christi processions produced by the Austrian bishops in 1979. Catholic parishes testify in the Corpus Christi procession testify to their faith and devotion in the sacrament of the Eucharist and specifically in public. This should be “dignified and without compromising the required reverence”. Therefore, special forms of the procession or the Eucharistic adoration should be agreed with the Bishop. Celebrations should not cause offence. In specific cases, when such an agreement is not given, the Bishop cannot identify with the extraordinary form of worship followed.

"Even if some prayer groups know the use of Focaccia bread, this does not correspond to the tradition of our culture, especially not for the Eucharistic Adoration, "said Bishop Schwarz. The Adoration should therefore take place in the whole diocese in the usual way with the consecrated Host in the appropriate receptacle- the monstrance .

"It is very unfortunate and makes me suffer as a bishop, if a Celebration which should express intimate communion and the unity with the Lord and the church among themselves should be the occasion to give scandal to believers", Bishop Schwarz stated.