Dear Ms. Jones,
Peace in Christ!
We were unable to discover any evidence to support this claim, but we did find one story of the Eucharist being passed to communicants through a hole in the wall. The situation described in the account did not involve circumstances as your friend suggested. Rather, it was in response to an extreme and dangerous situation, demanding unusual and daring measures. The story takes place in China under Communist rule, and relates that a young girl used to carry Holy Communion to prisoners, passing the Sacred Hosts through a hole in the wall.
One might conceive of a similar situation where Communion was secretly given to the faithful who could not openly approach a priest. Perhaps the story evolved from an account of a Church so full that people remained outside and communion was distributed through an opening.
Nevertheless, as the Church is made up of sinners it is undoubtedly possible that the powerful and wealthy within the Church have at times been guilty of discriminating against those with less. Yet, if the abuse described did actually take place, it was certainly not an official policy or even a widespread practice. In fact, it is a known fact that the Church has had a longstanding concern for the poor. Observe, for example, the Church’s enormous membership in the Third World, testimony that the poor feel welcome in the Catholic Church, not marginalized.
It would be helpful if your friend could ask her pastor to substantiate his claim with credible evidence. We would then be happy to evaluate it and provide you with a response.
Please feel free to call us at 1-800-MY FAITH or email us with any further questions on this or any other subject. If you have found this information to be helpful, please consider a donation to CUF to help sustain this service. You can call the toll-free line, visit us at www.cuf.org, or send your contribution to the address below. Thank you for your support as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”
United in the Faith,
Kathleen Rohan
Catholics United for the Faith
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Steubenville, OH 43952
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Dear Catholic Exchange:
A Methodist friend of mine has told me that her pastor has told her about the times when Catholic poor people were only allowed to receive Holy Communion through a hole in the wall; this was supposedly because of the class system. Is there any truth in this, and if so, where can I read about it?
Ms. Jones
