"This Is My Blood, Shed For a Few: Phoenix Faces Living On Bread Alone" by Jamie L. Manson/NCR

http://ncronline.org/blogs/grace-margins/my-blood-shed-few-phoenix-faces-living-bread-alone

"The last time I wrote about Bishop Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix, he had just evicted the body of Christ from the chapel of St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Now, it seems, Olmsted is targeting his blood.
Late last week, the bishop announced that he would be placing serious restrictions on the distribution of the Eucharist under the form of wine. His decision isn’t so much about germs, but rather the new GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal), which is to be implemented at the start of the new liturgical year on the first Sunday of Advent.
Olmsted clarified his reasons in a handy FAQ posted on the diocesan Web site (http://diocesephoenix.org/


"So many in church leadership easily forget that Jesus offered his final meal in the same way that he took most of his meals: under the most profane of circumstances. Every aspect of his ministry demonstrated that holiness was revealed in touching diseased bodies, or passing out bread and fish to hungry masses, or dining with society’s most unsavory characters.
Given the nature of Jesus’ ministry, what could harm the blood of Christ more than withholding it from God’s people?
Jesus seems to have little to do with any of Olmsted’s new norms. Olmsted’s real agenda is to make a clear distinction between the sanctity of the clergy’s hands and the laity’s unconsecrated, and therefore potentially defiling, hands. The multitude of lay hands, it seems, is starting to make him feel uncomfortably outnumbered..."
"The “excessive use” of extraordinary ministers is “obscuring the role of the priest and the deacon.” The new norms also offer a good excuse to get women farther away from altar, the tabernacle, the chalices and the ciboria. Remember, this is the same bishop who, last month, remained silent as his rector banned altar girls from serving in the Phoenix cathedral." Are these diocesan leaders afraid that by watching women function around the sacrament, the laity might let their imaginations run wildly into the world of women ordination? With more than 65 percent of U.S. Catholics supporting women priests, it’s a little late to turn off that channel."[Jamie L. Manson received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School where she studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics. Her columns for NCR earned her a first prize Catholic Press Association award for Best Column/Regular Commentary in 2010.]
Bridget Mary's Reflection:
Thank you, Jamie Manson, for naming the real issue as clericalism and fear of women's ordination! Yes, indeed, as more and more Catholics experience inclusive liturgies with women priests, there will be no turning back!
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is offering Inclusive Worship Aids to Catholic communities who are passionate about a renewed, inclusive church that welcomes all to the Sacred Banquet of God's boundless love. Our liturgies utilize a "community of equals" approach in which the gathered assembly recite the "consecration" and the baptized pray the Eucharistic prayer. I think Jesus would feel right at home at these liturgies where all are welcome. Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
http://associationofromancatholicwomenpriests.org/