Calls on RCs to rise above divisiveness

Archbishop Edward Gilbert yesterday warned Catholics against hypocrisy as they received the body and blood of Christ—the Eucharist.  “We cannot piously receive the Eucharist; we cannot piously celebrate the Eucharist and be racist, be prejudiced on ethnicity, and be protective of class. That’s tough. That’s a tough sell but it is the truth of the Church, and it is the truth of the faith and we must live it,” he said. Gilbert called for Catholics to be motivated by the Eucharist and rise above divisiveness caused by race, ethnicity and class.

“The Eucharist community is one,” he reminded the large crowd gathered at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the annual feast of Corpus Christi, which was introduced so the faithful could reflect on the significance of the Eucharist.  The sweltering morning sun was punctuated with a downpour not long after the 8.30 am mass commenced. Both old and young came prepared with umbrellas for the rain and sun. Delivering the homily at the mass concelebrated with other priests from parishes around Port-of-Spain, Gilbert said the Eucharist was the principal way that the faithful related to God. He said this year’s Corpus Christi was special because it was taking place half way through the Year of the Eucharist which was mandated by the late Pope John Paul II.

The congregation was told to reach out to people who do not know God. “Our Ministry is to touch their lives in a gentle way. To teach them about our story of a gradual intensified relationship with God, to share our story and show the presence of God among us.” While earthly food decayed, Gilbert said the Eucharist symbolic of food offered the experience of eternal life. He announced that a symposium on the Eucharist will take place next Saturday and on June 4 for the laity of the Church, while a Eucharist congress will be held in October to close the Year of the Eucharist. The theme will be “The Social Dimensions of the Eucharist.” Mass was followed by a procession along Independence Square during which the rosary was recited and hymns sung.