I wonder if, for many Episcopalians, this could be an accurate summary of what we understand about Holy Communion.<\/p>\n
Consider how many priests now announce, week after week, that because the Holy Table belongs to God and not to anyone else, all people — regardless of whether they are baptized — are welcome to partake. I note only in passing the chutzpah of presuming that God’s will for the Holy Table was thwarted, rather than honored, as far back as the Didache.<\/p>\n
Perhaps it fulfills the saying that misery loves company for me to feel relief that another portion of the Anglican Communion must contend with innovations at the Holy Table. That this innovation comes from Australia’s most vigorously Reformed diocese only makes the humor richer.<\/p>\n
I am no advocate of lay presidency. I believe that both it and the policy of communing the unbaptized reflect an incomplete theology of what occurs during Holy Communion. Both innovations make us the center of attention: In the United States, we say, “Come one, come all to receive, even if you don’t understand or care about what you’re receiving.” In Sydney, should lay presidency ever gain the approval of Archbishop Peter Jensen, Australians will say, “Come one, come all (Anglicans)” to the role of presider.<\/p>\n