When All Heaven Breaks Loose: Eschatology and Exceptions to Liturgical Norms

WORKSHOP

Liturgical norms about participating in worship are often broken, such as in crisis situations or when Christians are near death. We normally consider these pastoral exceptions, but using cases in which Protestant or Orthodox Christians have been permitted to receive Roman Catholic communion, Prof. Belcher argues that they are eschatological exceptions. Christians in crisis experience the presence of the parousia,and express their confidence in a liberty from norms we ordinarily follow. In this sense, liturgical rules are made to be broken: that is, they construct a normal that allows us to recognize when all heaven is breaking loose. How can eschatology guide a broader application of these exceptions to the rules? Find out!