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Archbishop Geremnias Steinmetz gives communion to Sheikh Mahairi

Brazilian Prelate gives communion to Muslim

The Archbishop of Londrina in Brazil placed Holy Communion into the hand of a Muslim Sheikh, as shown in the photos on this page.

Indeed, at a funeral Mass on August 28, 2023, Arch. Geremias Steinmetz gave the Sacrament of the Eucharist to Sheikh Saleh Mahairi, the founder of a Muslim mosque in Londrina.

Sheikh Mahairi is not baptized and consequently cannot receive any Sacrament. Further, he is not in the state of grace. Therefore, the action of Arch. Steinmetz constitutes an obvious profanation of the Most Holy Sacrament.

Facing a strong reaction to this act in social media and among the local Catholics, Steinmetz issued an official note of clarification. In it he neither apologized nor broached the topic of the incapacity of the Muslim to receive Communion. He simply quoted Francis, who said that no one had the right to be at the Last Supper; rather they were invited. He further mentioned that the Eucharist is an exercise of charity. So, out of charity, Sheikh Mahaiti would be entitled to receive the Eucharist. No other valid argument was presented.

The implication is that there is no need to be part of the Catholic Church and in the state of grace to receive Communion, which is against the most elementary Catholic teaching on the Holy Eucharist.

In brief, objectively it was a profanation, affirmed by the author of the sacrilege without any sign of repentance. On the contrary, Steinmetz' clarifying note leads any reader to believe that he will continue to routinely carry out such acts in the future.

If we replace "faith alone" by "charity alone," Arch Steinmetz seems to directly incur the condemnation of the Council of Trent, which in its 13^th Session, Canon 11, declared:

Canon 11. "If anyone says that faith alone is a sufficient preparation for receiving the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist, let him be anathema. And lest so great a sacrament be received unworthily and hence unto death and condemnation, this Holy Council ordains and declares that sacramental confession, when a confessor can be had, must necessarily be made beforehand by those whose conscience is burdened with mortal sin, however contrite they may consider themselves. Moreover, if anyone shall presume to teach, preach or obstinately assert, or in public disputation defend the contrary, he shall be eo ipso excommunicated."

Archbishop Geremnias Steinmetz gives communion to Sheikh Mahairi 2

Archbishop Geremnias Steinmetz gives communion to Sheikh Mahairi 3

Photos from the video above

Posted September 3, 2023

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