The Eucharist : a short commentary on some new trends

Abstract

The importance of the Eucharist in both Catholic Theology and liturgical piety needs no new stressing. This importance, maybe, together with the special dignity which has always been ascribed to this most holy Sacrament, may easily inspire an amount of unwholesome timidity in the believer who hears about new controversies, new viewpoints, or new interpretations which lead to substitute new words for the time-hallowed term: transubstantiation. To allay similar suspicions I intended to publish a translation of Fr. E. Schillebeeckx's article: 'Transubstantiation, Transignification and Transfinalisation'. Unfortunately Fr. Schillibeeckx could not allow the publication of the translation of his article because that article no longer represents his views on transubstantiation or on the Eucharist in general. However, one feels that our local clergy, who read with pleasure Melita Theologica and Pastor, should be given some sort of introduction to this difficult subject in, at least, one of the Reviews which they consider their own.