"Oss kristna till att äta och dricka" - Teologiska och pastorala perspektiv på nattvardselementens beskaffenhet i Svenska kyrkan

Sammanfattning: The Eucharist is one of the central rites according to the beliefs of the Christian Church and one of two sacraments in the Lutheran tradition. The purpose of this essay is to inquire into the possibility of creating a eucharistic table within the Church of Sweden where no one is excluded becauce of personal restrictions such as allergy to the communion elements. Through this essay I have done a close reading of the Lutheran confessional documents in the Formula of Concord and also studied how the Church of Sweden has interpreted and related to them, both historically as well as today. The analysis shows that there are difficulties with creating a eucharistic table where everyone can be included when the directions in the confessional documents, in regared to the Eucharist, are followed strictly. Since the Word is what defines the sacrament and the importance of receiving the Eucharist is explicitly emphasized in the documents, the question arises whether persons who cannot receive both elements are to be given the Eucharist under one species only or whether other elements than bread of wheat and wine from grapes can be used. My conclusion is that either solution is better than to exclude people with restrictions from the communion table, but that if elements are substituted they should still be recognizable as bread and wine (and not, e.g., grape juice). The work with the essay also showed that the most important factors for feeling included in the community of the Eucharist are the experience of being socially accepted and the possibility of making independent decisions. This can be promoted with clearer guidelines from the church and more explicit information to the communicants. In conclusion I encourage further conversations and reflection within the Church of Sweden for an increased wonder, fascination and understanding of the Eucharist and what it conveys.