Confusion between Mass and Communion

Dear Editor, In answer to Fr Ignatius Candon’s letter ‘Communion should be available to all’ (IC 15/01/2015), it has been brought to my attention that in certain priestless parishes in Germany and Switzerland, when a priest has turned up to celebrate Mass, he has been told, ‘No thank you, Father, we have our communion service’.

Confusion between communion services and Holy Mass can lead to a culture of neo-Protestantism where the ordained minister – representing the High Priest Jesus Christ – is surplus to requirements.

Yours etc.,

Fr Oliver Skelly,

Mullingar,
Co. Westmeath.