Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 1/27/2007

Question
Dear Mr/Mrs,

I hope that I am not bothering, but I would have two questions to ask regarding Catholic faith and mass:

1. Why at the Holy Mass the Eucharisty is made only with bread and not also with wine? I know that it was considered that Christ is completely simbolised and contained by the bread, but Jesus Christ  gave both to the apostles and said clearly that we should do this in His memory (Luke 22:19).
I went some weeks ago to an open-day in the Jesuit monastery in the city where I live and at the mass there the comunnion was made with both bread and wine, but most of the times only bread is used and only the priest is having communion also with wine, and I find this to be... unbiblical!

2. A friend of mine, who has been babptized in the Eastern-Orthodox church, wants to embrace the Romano-Catholic church where he has always been to; he always went to the Catholic church and mass and he is only nominally Eastern-Orthodox and he would like to change this and convert to Roman-Catholic church. But he would like to be re-baptized in this church in order to make a full conversion.
I want to ask you what is the usual procedure of a conversion to Catholicism, what are he steps that need to be made, to whom he should speak and if his desire to be baptized in the Catholic church is right, if he heas been baptized as a baby in Eastern-Orthodox church? Should he only be formally passed to Catholicism, or baptizing is possible if he desires?

Thank you very much in advance, for the answers, and where should I look for the answer - on this web page, or in my mail box?
And is it ok if I will ask you one more thing soon?
Respectfully,
Alexander.


Answer
Hi... these are good questions.

1. I think you'll find many things about Catholicism that seem unbiblical. The whole belief there is that Tradition and Scripture go hand in hand, have equal weight and authority, like two branches on the same tree. Tradition refers to Catholic teaching, as revealed and passed on through Apostolic succession. So again, a major bone of contention between non-Catholics and Catholics often rests on the Catholic view of Tradition. But to answer your question more specifically, Tradition teaches that Christ is fully present in both the bread and the wine. So recipients taking just bread aren't short of anything. Once speck of that bread is enough, because it's Christ--not just a symbol but the actual essence of Christ (bread from Heaven). I've also heard it said that the priest receives the wine "for the people".

I must admit that when considering the priesthood I took the bread and the wine and found it very special. But whether this was the unique setting, my readiness at the time, or having taken both, I'm not sure.

2. As far as I know the Catholic Church would recognize your friend's baptism. But he would have to go through the RCIA and be confirmed (finishing just before Easter). For more info on the RCIA, seach google using keywords >> catholic RCIA

There are several websites about RCIA.

In some instances non-Catholic baptisms might not be recognized, in which case your friend would be baptized and confirmed after completing the RCIA. But I would be very surprised if an Eastern-Orthodox baptism wasn't recognized!

I hope this helps.