Saw this on Pharyngula

[catsittingstill]

There's an article about it here.

The short version is that an Anglican priest was giving communion and one of the people who came forward brought his dog.  So when it came time to put the wafers on people's tongues, the priest leaned down and put a wafer on the dog's tongue too.

P.Z.Meyers is disgusted because one of the parishioners complained and the priest got in a little trouble. (Basically her bishop told her not to do it again.)

Me, I'm kind of pleased--because most of the parishioners didn't complain.  They thought it was kind of sweet.  Good for them.  Dogs like food, and being accepted as part of the community is very important to them.  And communion is both.

It's a pity they can't do it again.  But at least the bishop didn't over react about it.

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

*smiles* that's one of the things I like about Anglicans and their Episcopal brethren. They *really* *don't* *care* who - or even what - you are. If the doggie comes and wants communion, then (at least in this case) the doggie gets communion. If only the rest of the world could be so accepting.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

Kip tells me the Methodists are the same way. "This isn't our table, it's the Lord's table." Although I think most of the time they apply that to people, and mean that you don't have to be Methodist to take Methodist communion.

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

This is true... but the Methodists aren't as _universally_ accepting of folks of more alternate traditions (and GLBTF's, etc.) as (most of the) Episcopals seem to be... Gripping hand, the particular one here in Greenwood flies a big rainbow flag.... :)

[bigbumble.livejournal.com]

While I'm not concerned about the church aspect of the issue, I must say I find it annoying when people's pets, especially dogs, are imposed upon me. I fully agree with the parishioner who complained.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

I find it annoying if the pets are annoying--I've certainly been annoyed at dog owners who let their dogs bark half the night, or let them carry on as if I'm breaking into the basement when in fact I'm walking on the sidewalk on the other side of the street.

The dog's behavior in this case is not described in any great detail; I'm kind of assuming that had it been obnoxious, that would have come in for comment.

[kittyguitar.livejournal.com]

I suppose it's possible that Jesus, if he were around to express his opinion, might be miffed at having been symbolically fed to a dog. It's also possible that Ms. Needham is right and he'd have gotten a kick out of it.

Personally, I don't think a creature that already epitomizes the divine virtue of unconditional love ought to require baptizing before it can eat God.

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

:-)