[Apologetics] Re: From NewAdvent.org newsletter

[Art Kelly]

Stephen,

The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes is crystal
clear that the words of institution consecrate the
bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus.  The
Epiclesis is fine, but it is not essential.

Your reply that, “The CCC quote is
interesting—although it expresses a Western
understanding, it also affirms the role of the
epiclesis
It can still be criticized by Eastern
Christians
”

EVERY word in the Catechism is binding on ALL segments
of the CATHOLIC Church, INCLUDING Eastern rite
Catholics.  Pope John Paul II wrote:

“Following the renewal of the Liturgy and the new
codification of the canon law of the Latin Church AND
that of the Oriental Catholic Churches, this catechism
will make a very important contribution to that work
of renewing the WHOLE life of the Church, as desired
and begun by the Second Vatican Council


“It can be said that this Catechism is the result of
the collaboration of the WHOLE Episcopate of the
Catholic Church, who generously accepted my invitation
to share responsibility for an enterprise which
directly concerns the life of the Church. This
response elicits in me a deep feeling of joy, because
the harmony of so many voices truly expresses what
could be called the "symphony" of the faith. The
achievement of this Catechism thus reflects the
collegial nature of the Episcopate; it testifies to
the Church's CATHOLICITY


“The Catechism of the Catholic Church
is a statement
of the Church's faith and of CATHOLIC doctrine,
attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the
Apostolic Tradition, and the Church's Magisterium. I
DECLARE it to be a SURE NORM for teaching the faith
and thus a valid and legitimate instrument for
ecclesial COMMUNION.  May it serve the renewal to
which the Holy Spirit ceaselessly calls the Church of
God, the Body of Christ, on her pilgrimage to the
undiminished light of the Kingdom!

“The approval and publication of the Catechism of the
Catholic Church represent a service which the
Successor of Peter wishes to offer to the Holy
Catholic Church, to ALL the particular Churches in
peace and COMMUNION with the Apostolic See: the
service, that is, of supporting and confirming the
faith of ALL the Lord Jesus' disciples (cf. Lk 22:32),
as well as of strengthening the bonds of UNITY in the
SAME apostolic faith. 

“Therefore, I ask ALL the Church's Pastors and the
Christian faithful to receive this catechism in a
spirit of COMMUNION and to use it ASSIDUOUSLY in
fulfilling their mission of proclaiming the faith and
calling people to the Gospel life. This catechism is
given to them that it may be a SURE and AUTHENTIC
reference text for teaching catholic DOCTRINE and
particularly for preparing local catechisms. It is
also offered to ALL the faithful who wish to deepen
their knowledge of the unfathomable riches of
salvation (cf. Eph 3:8). It is meant to support
ecumenical efforts that are moved by the holy desire
for the unity of all Christians, showing carefully the
content and wondrous harmony of the catholic faith.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, lastly, is
offered to every individual who asks us to give an
account of the hope that is in us (cf. 1 Pt 3:15) and
who wants to KNOW what the Catholic Church BELIEVES.”

With the binding, mandatory nature of the Catechism
affirmed, it states of the Eucharist:

"In the INSTITUTION NARRATIVE (emphasis in the text),
the power of the words and the action of Christ, and
the power of the Holy Spirit, make sacramentally
present under the species of bread and wine Christ's
body and blood, his sacrifice offered on the cross
once for all


"The essential signs of the Eucharistic sacrament are
wheat bread and grape wine, on which the blessing of
the Holy Spirit is invoked and the priest pronounces
the WORDS of CONSECRATION (emphasis added) spoken by
Jesus during the Last Supper: 'This is my body which
will be given up for you...This is the cup of my
blood...'

"By the CONSECRATION, the transubstantiation of the
bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is
brought about.”

There can be no doubt that the words of institution
are what transform the bread and wine into the body
and blood of Jesus.  The Epiclesis does NOT do that
and is not necessary.