Comments made by the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, on Catholics receiving communion in Protestant churches have been criticised by the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Walton Empey.
Archbishop Empey said he was "saddened" by comments made by Archbishop Connell in an interview in today's Sunday Business Post.
Archbishop Connell said it was "all very well" for Anglican ministers to welcome to Communion everybody whose conscience permitted, but thatfailed to respect the faith and obligations of Catholics and, consequently, the cause of ecumenism.
Archbishop Empeyreiterated the Church of Ireland view which welcomes to Communion those who are baptised, are communicant members of their own churches and whose consciences allow them to receive Holy Communion".
Three years ago, Dr Connell criticised President Mary McAleese's decision to receive Communion at a Church of Ireland service and said Catholics' participation in Communion in a Protestant Church was a sham.
Archbishop Connell will be created Cardinal on Wednesday.