The President of the Irish Republic received Holy Communion in a Church of Ireland church and the inevitable controversy resulted. A disobedience and a disgrace - or a prophetic sign of reconciliation?

The Roman Catholic Church is not alone in reserving Holy Communion to its own members; all the Orthodox Churches do the same. This practice, dating back to ancient times and supported by the teaching of the early Fathers, is based on the understanding that the Eucharist is the badge of unity, unity in a gathering round the Bishop. Those who would not gather were 'heretics' and thus did not belong.

Now there are some who would say (with respect) that Anglicans and others are heretics and so that is the end of it - a view not shared by myself, nor, I feel, by most of those who worship here.

The issue is an urgent one for 'mixed religion' marriages where both spouses wish to practise faithfully. What are they to do? Spend most of Sunday commuting to different churches, or what?

Sometimes I am approached by a 'non-Catholic' visitor who says: "Father, may I receive Communion? I am not a Catholic but I believe it really is Jesus Christ who is present." And to be honest, I wish they hadn't asked.

But where do we go? In my opinion the best commentary on this thorny issue was given by Father Timothy Radcliffe, OP, who is now the Master General of the Dominican Order. He says that shared Communion must be a sign of shared life. If we wish to receive Catholic Communion, are we willing to share Catholic life, for better and for worse? As he puts it (speaking to 'non-Catholics'): "Are you willing to share your faith with a Borgia Pope?"

Of course, it is also true that some Catholics would not be willing to share their faith with a Borgia Pope - nor, for example, with Mrs. Snodgrass sitting further up the pew whom they may even push in front of in the Communion queue.