Re: Conflicts, contrasts or differences between Catholics and Protestants in Great Britain

In message <9aoah3-k5o.ln1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Adam Funk <a24061@xxxxxxxxx> writes
On 2006-04-13, Michael J Davis <?.?@trustsof.demon.co.uk> wrote:

Hmm. At all the RC Masses that I've attended (this only covers a
small number of churches in England, however) people queue up and
receive Communion standing. I'm under the impression that very few RC
churches (just the very traditional one?) still have altar rails,
whereas kneeling at the them is very much the normal practice in
Anglican churches.

Of course, after posting that, I received Communion standing this
morning at Sheffield Cathedral! I believe kneeling is the usual
practice there, however, but there were two "Communion stations" at
the back of the nave, in addition to the usual distribution in the
chancel, to handle the larger congregation on Easter Sunday


I have to admit that (as an RC) I had forgotten how we used to kneel at
the altar rail (like Anglicans do, as you say), I cannot recall when I
last knelt to receive communion at an 'ordinary parish church'.

Holy Name in Manchester has altar rails, but as far as I can tell
(from visiting it outside of mass times) it's a very traditional RC
church.

Yes very!! We had a Catholic conference a few years ago at the University, and wanted to finish with a celebratory mass at the church across the road. (Also because the Uni charter apparently banned religious 'services' on the premises.) Nowadays, that means with a table facing the congregation.

Those in charge of the Holy Name refused to let us have that arrangement - as they were set up for the Pre-VAT2 facing the altar. (AIUI, it would be no big deal to have a table further forward.) Anyway we ended up celebrating in the uni. who gave permission on the grounds that the conference was a 'private function'!)

The reason is simply that with large numbers of communicants - it can
take an extraordinary long time to do it the old way (especially with
communion under both kinds).

We (Anglicans) usually seem to manage with the altar rails. Normally
the celebrant distributes the wafers and two ministers follow with the
chalice, each covering alternate communicants. (If the altar rails
are wide, there may be two and four people, respectively,
distributing.)

Yes, I know. (I confuse them by asking for a blessing, which I receive from the wafer distributor, and then have to dodge the chalice bearers!)

Blessings

Mike

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Michael J Davis
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