Communion and depression: lessons from Stephen Harper
It was back-to-back funerals for Prime Minister Stephen Harper the first weekend of July. Each was controversial in its own way.
Former Governor General Romeo LeBlanc's funeral was on July 3 in Memramcook, New Brunswick. LeBlanc was the first Acadian governor general of Canada.
It was a Catholic funeral, and Harper joined the line for taking communion. Catholic communion is not an open table; it is only open for Catholics. Protestants generally cross their arms over their chests as a sign that they wish to receive a blessing. Somehow, Harper ended up with a communion wafer in his hand. Oh dear!
Harper was now in a no-win situation. If he ate the wafer, it would offend Catholics. If he did not, he would be desecrating the host.
The media initially reported that Harper pocketed the wafer. Hmmm, desecration.
Harper says that he discretely ate the wafer after the cameras were off him. Hmmm, offence to Catholics.
Protestants mostly have an open communion table. When it is not open, they don't have communion when others are present—at funerals, for instance.
Half my family is Catholic so I have been at quite a few masses. Catholics celebrate mass for everything from weddings and funerals to high school graduations.
If you sit in the pew, you look petulant. If you go up for communion, you have to make it clear that you want a blessing, as the servers are very efficient at getting a wafer in your hand.
I usually choose to go for the blessing. But I know that my Catholic relatives will watch me to make sure that I am following protocol. They take it very seriously.
You see, our theologies are different. Most Protestants, other than Lutherans, believe that communion is symbolic. The bread and juice remain bread and juice. For Catholics, the wafer—the host—becomes the body of Christ; it is transubstantiated. For Lutherans, the presence of Christ is in the elements but it does not become the body of Christ.
The media were all over this story. The Globe and Mail called it "Wafergate." While it seemed like a non-story to me, it was an opportunity to have theology on the front pages of national newspapers. Pretty rare in Canada.
The very next day, Prime Minister Harper was in Regina, Saskatchewan, not only attending, but giving a eulogy at the funeral of Dave Batters, a former Conservative MP. Batters made it no secret that he suffered from depression for many years. He ultimately took his own life at the age of 39.
One can think of no more tragic funeral at which to speak. Over 600 people attended.
Harper gave a very meaningful and sensitive eulogy. He praised Batters for his political service and also for making public his struggle with depression.
Depression is one of those illnesses that many people hide. One in ten people will experience clinical depression during their lifetimes. I am one of those who already has, and I know first-hand its debilitating effects on life and relationships.
When speaking at a funeral for one who has not only suffered from depression but actually died from it, there's a temptation to gloss over it. Harper resisted that temptation and spoke of depression openly, but emphasized that it is not a weakness of character; it is an illness.
The Globe and Mail published the eulogy on July 7. Media commentators seemed surprised at Harper for his understanding and warmth.
But the Globe and Mail disabled the comments section "because an overwhelming number of readers were making offensive statements about other commenters and/or the individual or individuals mentioned in the story." Pretty shocking considering they were commenting on a eulogy.
Two funerals in two days with media coverage of both. Canadians are now better informed on how to behave at Catholic mass and on depression and its debilitating effects.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
