But with a still, small voice, they are also opening the door to other possibilities. The present norm of qualified admission to all the sacraments and ceremonies of the church should be maintained. Explicit invitation to an open table is a deeper issue. Rev. John Hill, a specialist in liturgical theology and practice, is a member of the doctrine and worship committee which prepared the statement at the bishops' request. If we change so basic an element of traditional sacramental practice, we owe the rest of the church a serious account of our reasons for doing so.
Talk is good.
So that is why you have such prominence on the feeding and loaves and Jesus bringing people together to break bread and to eat, regardless of where they came from. That is a strong argument. In fact, the bishops encourage that discussion in the name of reaching out. The qualifications for admission to the sacraments should be revisited from time to time, especially in the light of the rapidly changing circumstances in which the church pursues its mission. The core issues for Canon Percy are evangelism and discipleship.