What's the matter Sashers? Media not paying enough attention to you?

The antics of the Sashers this past weekend at the Cathedral were diabolical, we knew that already -- but this takes the cake, I knew that things like this had happened, but didn't really expect to see one of them proudly proclaiming it to the world.

The only humor I see in this is that the reason this fellow rose to the occasion to proclaim himself the true church is because the media in general has not really promoted the Sashers this go around... coverage has been broad in some respects, but very narrow in others, since the Cathedral banned any video/cameras from the media in the church during the Mass. Therefore, the only way they can get their needed "publicity" for their antics is to pretty much promote themselves in letters to the editor. If it weren't so awful it would be funny.

Excerpt: When it was my turn to approach Skluzacek, I did so and received his blessing. I then looked him in the eyes and said, “I realize the situation you’re in, and I forgive you.” I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he was simply following orders. Perhaps if it was up to him he would give communion to all of us. Perhaps he lacked the courage to follow his conscience and defy such orders.

Interestingly, I think everyone wearing the sash made some comment to the Eucharistic minister they approached to receive communion. My friend Mary, for instance, took the hands raised in blessing of one minister and said, “Shame on you!” Later she told me how appalled she was that they would consider their blessing a substitute for what they were denying. “It was so incredibly pompous!” she said.

In retrospect, it was quite amazing: Over a hundred people speaking from that holiest of places—their conscience—and making their feelings and beliefs known to the hierarchy at the most sacred time of the mass. How appropriate for Pentecost!

...For as it turned out, I was to receive communion that morning.

Back in our pew, Eduard gently touched my arm. Turning, I saw that he was reverently holding half a host in his hand. He broke it and gave a portion of it to me. I, in turn, broke my piece and gave half to my friend Kathleen.

Later I discovered that someone without a sash had shared the host they had received with Eduard—who was wearing a sash. What this person (and apparently other non-sash wearers) did seems to me to be what communion is all about. I found this loving and sharing action very inspiring and hopeful. It would be something Jesus would do—and did do through the actions of these people. Here were “ordinary Catholics” taking to heart Christ’s call to be a “priestly people.”

Clayton's blog: "delusions of holiness"