Bishops Defending Christ’s Real Presence

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

TRANSCRIPT

Seven in ten U.S. Catholics don't believe the Blessed Sacrament is Christ, according to a recent Pew Research poll.

It's being called a crisis of faith. Few bishops acknowledge it, and fewer bishops seem to even care.

One bishop is pushing back — Bp. Daniel Jenky of Peoria, Illinois. Jenky made headlines this year for bringing back to Peoria the body of Abp. Fulton Sheen, who was devoted to daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Jenky blamed the loss of faith on a pervasive lack of reverence.

Some churches seem "more like hotel lobbies than an awesome House of God," said Jenky.

He wants to rekindle the Faith by restoring practices that include:

• Keeping silence in church
• Genuflecting
• Kneeling
• Centering of tabernacles
• Use of bells and multiple candles on the altar
• Praying before and after Mass

Portland's Abp. Alexander Sample also believes that faith will only follow reverence.

Citing Sheen in his reaction to the poll in August, Sample says, "'If you don't behave as you believe, you will end by believing as you behave.'"

Sample and Jenky are in line with faithful Catholics who see restoring eucharistic reverence as imperative to restoring eucharistic faith. But with more than 400 bishops in the United States, the question is how many others will follow suit.

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.