By Michelle Arnold
The dilemma: A friend of mine was raised Catholic but eventually chose to become a witch. She is not interested in returning to Catholicism, but would like to receive Communion when she attends Mass occasionally for holidays and other family events. She is open to an explanation of why she cannot receive Communion, but I don't know how to explain the matter in a way she will understand. I think it is a positive thing that she occasionally attends Mass—perhaps she'll receive grace to eventually return to the Church—and so I don't want to say anything that will discourage her from going.
The principle: When explaining concepts non-Catholics and non-Christians might find difficult to accept, it can help to build upon those beliefs and ethics they already hold and value. Or, as the old Thomistic principle goes, "Grace builds upon nature."
A solution: One of the ethical principles many witches and other pagan practitioners generally accept is that one does not touch another witch's magickal tools or altar without explicit permission. Your friend's pagan community accepts the principle that it is necessary to obtain permission before touching what is sacred to a fellow witch. In a similar way, the Catholic Church ordinarily asks that those who receive what is sacred to Catholics either have the right to do so as practicing Catholics or, in the case of non-Catholics, that they first obtain permission from those with the authority to grant it (e.g., priest, bishop). That is why those who are not practicing Catholics and do not otherwise have permission to receive Communion are asked to refrain from receiving the Eucharist.
Diagramming your own dilemma
It is unlikely that you are experiencing a dilemma exactly like those considered here. You may not be planning to get married, Lent is still months away, and you don't know any witches. But I hope these diagrammed dilemmas will illustrate for you how you can approach the difficulties you have with family, friends, and colleagues in your own life. Here are the steps:
- Identify the problem.
- Discern the underlying principle.
- Find a workable solution.
Just as diagramming a sentence can make its structure more understandable, and can in turn improve your writing, so "diagramming" your moral dilemmas can often help you to find licit solutions. If not, you can always take your diagram to a confessor or spiritual director for further assistance. It may be that the diagram could help that person help you.