In an explanation posted Aug. 30, the Brazilian archbishop said that the sheik had known Cardinal Agnelo since the 1980s “as a friend, saddened by the funeral of another friend. The sheik is a well-known man in various spheres of society and maintains a respectful relationship with the Catholic Church.”
“He was also a friend of another archbishop of Londrina, the late Albano Cavallin, with whom he had a close relationship. As a friend, he participated in the Eucharistic celebration and, entering the Communion line, received the body of Christ,” Steinmetz explained.
“The images of the broadcast of the Holy Mass show Sheik Mahairi receiving the Eucharist from my hands, but they do not show him consuming it. Given the repercussions of these images, I asked the vicar general of the archdiocese of Londrina, Father Rafael Solano, to speak with the sheik to clear up the situation,” the archbishop continued.
Steinmetz then pointed out that the sheik “deeply regretted what happened, since his desire was not to disrespect the Catholic Church” and told the vicar that after receiving Jesus “he went to his pew, sat down, and consumed the Eucharist. According to him, Archbishop Albano had explained to him many years ago that the Eucharist is the body of Jesus, considered a prophet for Islam,” as noted in the Vatican II document “Nostra Aetate,” (Latin: “In our time”) on the relationship of the Church with non-Christian religions.
The archbishop cites a document from Pope Francis
After this explanation, the prelate considered these points to now be “clarified” and cited some passages from the document “Desiderio Desideravi,” which Pope Francis published in 2022 and which deals with the liturgical formation of the people of God.
Credit: Source link
