1998 – A Resolution Regarding the President of the United States Partaking in Roman Catholic Communion

Whereas, Participation in the Roman Catholic sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved for those who are “The faithful, already marked with the seal of baptism and confirmation, [who) are through the reception of the Eucharist fully joined to the Body of Christ.” [Vatican II, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests; Chapter II, The Ministry of Priests; I. Priestly Functions, Section 5)

Whereas, for Roman Catholics, the repeated partaking of the literal body and blood of Christ, via the wafer and cup which are made the literal body and blood of Christ through transubstantiation, is necessary for Salvation, and

Whereas President William J. Clinton and his wife, Hillary, participated in a Roman Catholic Holy Communion service while visiting Africa, and they are a professing Southern Baptist and a Methodist, respectively,

Be it therefore resolved, that we the members of the Independent Baptist Fellowship of North America, now convened in Plymouth, Massachusetts, June 16-18, 1998, do hereby condemn the Roman Catholic sacrament of Holy Communion as an affront to the Gospel of Christ, Who was offered but once for the sins of men and need never die again. (Romans 6:9; Hebrews 10:10)

Be it further resolved that we are extremely offended by this egregious error by the President partaking of the Eucharist, in sharp contradiction to his claimed position as a Southern Baptist and note this as a mark of weakness in personal judgment and lack of principles.

Be it finally resolved, that we note the compromised condition and ecumenical spirit evident within the Southern Baptist Convention, where there has been vocal support and approval for the actions of the President and First Lady, and virtually no protest whatsoever.