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<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Re: non-Catholics and communion on the Camino</TITLE>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Donald:</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for that explanation. I agree with you that
the pilgrim experience should, and I believe does, accommodate people of diverse
backgrounds, belief systems and motivations. When I walked to Santiago (as well
as Rome and Jerusalem) last year my fondest memories were the times I shared
with others of different faiths and even one person who believed nothing at all.
By providing some dates and references, it was not my intent to underscore
"historical arguments about doctrine" but to shed light
on the antecedents of Roman Catholic teaching in reference to
transubstantiation. As a practicing Catholic I do not look upon this
doctrine as a theory to be accepted, rejected or ignored. It is neither
obscure nor in the realm of controversy as far as I am concerned. It is a
tenet of my faith. Whatever anyone else believes is of little practical concern
to me. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If I have offended you in some way, please accept
my apologies.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><FONT face=Arial>I'm sorry that this is all a
little obscure and remains in the realm of controversy. What seems quite
clear to me is that the pilgrim practice and experience of walking together
patiently and in love reveals a great deal more about our Christian and human
unity than our historical arguments about doctrine.<BR><BR>I offer this
irenically and hope the conversation can accept it as such where we meet in a
spirit of peace and delight in mysteries deeper than we can
speak.<BR><BR>Donald Schell
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