Wednesday, August 24, 2005
VALID MATTER
and a host that contains yeast.
The question came up on one of yesterday's blogs about the Catholic worker priest saying mass on what appears to be a coffee table with what appears to be levened bread.
The Catholic definition of "valid" matter is contained in "De Defectibus". Section III item No. 5 addresses yeast in the host. It reads:
5. If the bread has begun to mold, but it is not corrupt, or if it is not unleavened according to the custom of the Latin Church, the Sacrament is valid but the celebrant is guilty of grave sin.
Take another look at the picture. Presumably Father Kelly knows the requirement for validity. Is he dedicated to doing what the Church specifies, or is he doing his own thing? Out of that question arises the question of validity of the sacrament because a sacrament cannot be valid if the priest is not intending to do what the Church intends.
