The Transubstantiation Controversy
The Church Times (Episcopal), and the Catholic Times, of Liverpool, have been having a bout on the question of transubstantiation. The Church Times asserts that this doctrine "is not now believed in the Roman Church, though the name is kept up." To which the Catholic Times retorts that "it appears that it is believed and taught in the Church of England." And in proof of the assertion, quotes as follows from "Severs' Mass Book," written by an Anglican clergyman: "Every crumb on the paten, every drop in the chalice, has now [that is, after consecration] become the whole body, blood, soul, spirit, and divinity of Jesus." After giving the quotation, the Catholic paper dismisses the matter with this parting thrust at its Anglican neighbor:— "It is manifest that not only is the Church of England hopelessly divided against herself, but that even the Ritualists are split into two parties, one believing and teaching what the other declares to be false, and not only false, but impossible of belief, insomuch that if a man says he does believe it he is not to be credited." Another thing is also manifest, namely, that the principal difference between the Roman and the English Church is not in faith, but in paying allegiance to the Pope.