(ACNS) When last Saturday afternoon’s installation service for Bishop Victoria Matthews as the eighth Bishop of Christchurch was finished, the woman who’s taken her place as the new Bishop of Edmonton reflected on Canada’s loss and Christchurch’s gain.
Bishop Jane Alexander spoke soflty of a loss that feels personal, as well as provincial: “It was very hard,” she said, “to give Victoria away.
“But I will leave here with my heart lightened. So many have told me that they will love her and take care of her.
“The installation service was beautiful. There was such a strong sense of family. So much welcome. Victoria is not coming home: she is home.”
While none but the three Canadian bishops present could truly know about the loss Bishop Jane spoke of, there were close on 1000 people ”“ it was a full house at the Cathedral on a sunny, still, late winter’s afternoon ”“ who saw signs, right from the start of the service, of where their gains might lie.
From the article: [blockquote] But that’s where she departed from the normal script: she went out those great doors into the Square itself, and offered communion to passers-by – several of whom responded.[/blockquote]
I have a good deal of problem with this approach. To offer communion without confession or the hearing of the Gospel is to me at best problematic. I know that some will see this as great evangelism. I see it as cheapening the sacrament.
It is nothing other than a profanation of the sacrament. Remember this episode, whenever you hear or read in the future about the “orthodoxy” of this “flaminica.”
As someone who was there I feel the need to make a little clarification. The Bishop did go out into the square initially where she offered the Eucharist to those who had been a part of the service seated outside of the Cathedral. I too made the mistake initially thinking it was otherwise and some widespread reporting has reaffirmed that really. Aside from this it was a wonderful service.