Modern Mass as occasion for dogs to receive Communion. Diocese judges it no sacrilege

Why dogs shouldn't eat communion wafers

Their patronal festival.  I think that is meant to be the Good Shepherd. 

In the Zurich Parish of the Good Shepherd, three dogs received pieces of communion wafers from their owners. Nicole Büchel, Head of Communications for the Diocese of Chur, explains how this happened and why dogs shouldn't eat communion wafers.

On October 4th of last year, a "most regrettable incident" occurred in the Zurich Parish of the Good Shepherd, as the Diocese of Chur announced on its website on April 17th. According to reports, an animal blessing took place in the parish. It was originally scheduled to take place outside the church, but was moved inside due to a poor weather forecast.

Animal blessing moved to Mass

Thus, the animal blessing took place during a Eucharistic celebration. During the service, those participating in the liturgy distributed Holy Communion to the faithful present, as is customary. Three people shared the hosts they received with their respective dogs.

In response to an inquiry from kath.ch, communications officer Nicole Büchel wrote on Monday, May 4: The Diocese of Chur learned of the incident in the Good Shepherd parish from the media. Bishop Josef Maria Bonnemain then contacted the Vicar General for the Zurich-Glarus region of the diocese, Luis Varandas, to inquire about the situation. Initial information, however, was based solely on hearsay. Therefore, the bishop commissioned Varandas' predecessor, Josef Annen, to investigate the matter more closely.

Investigation by former Vicar General Josef Annen

"Josef Annen's thorough investigation has revealed that this is not a sacrilege," Büchel stated regarding the outcome of the investigation. The three individuals who shared communion wafers with their dogs did not do so "with sacrilegious intent." Consequently, they "cannot be accused of sacrilege."

According to the communications expert, it would be sacrilege under the following conditions: "A sacrilege occurs when someone, in dealing with the body and blood of Christ or anything else sacred, consciously displays an attitude of mockery and derision in a blasphemous manner and with intent. This motivation is decisive for a sacrilege."

Handling the Host as the Body of Christ

Even if the incident wasn't sacrilege, the reaction of the diocesan leadership demonstrates that hosts must not be fed to dogs in the Catholic Church. This is for the following reason, as Büchel explains: "According to Catholic belief, the consecrated host is the Body of Christ, the consecrated wine the Blood of Christ. It's about receiving Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. Receiving Him requires the necessary reverence and appropriate preparation, which cannot be assumed of animals."

Bishop Bonnemain plans to discuss the Eucharist with the team at Good Shepherd Parish soon. He wants to fulfill his responsibility as bishop and ensure that everyone adheres to the Church's guidelines again, Büchel writes.

Bonnemain has scheduled a meeting for June 5th to further explore the relevant Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis, "Desiderio desideravi." Following this, the bishop will preside over Eucharistic Adoration at 5:30 p.m. in the Good Shepherd Parish and celebrate Holy Mass at 6:30 p.m., the diocese announced.

Bishop welcomes feedback to those in charge

When asked whether the Bishop of Chur often hears about errors in church services, the communications officer replied: "It happens quite frequently that parishioners complain to the bishop about errors they perceive in the way services are conducted. These are usually not serious transgressions." The bishop then tries to clarify the matter personally or through the responsible vicar general and to speak with those responsible, involved, and participating in the service.

When asked how the bishop feels about such reports of errors, Büchel replied: He generally welcomes it when people address their concerns directly to those celebrating and responsible for the service. However, since this is not always easy or pleasant, he can also understand why they might contact him instead.

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