Diocesan statement on USCCB’s Communion document

The following is a statement released by the Diocese of Albany after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to draft a teaching document on the Eucharist:

“We would urge people to be patient and resist the temptation to form opinions or make statements about a document that has not yet been drafted, let alone approved. Doing so only sows needless division. That being said, the Church has always had “guidelines” on the reception of Communion; there is nothing new here. A Catholic should not receive Communion if he or she is in a state of mortal sin. Fortunately, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which allows us to be continually renewed and absolved so we are able to receive the Eucharist, which is food for the spiritual journey not a reward for good behavior. Our hope is that when the bishops’ document is finalized, it will renew reverence and awe for the beauty of the Mass and the power of the Eucharist — which is the real presence of Christ — to change lives."