I was flipping through one of my seminary texts last night, one I had to read for Fundamental Theology - "Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives" (Fortress Press), and found an interesting passage dealing with the eucharist. The author, David Powers, a theology professor from Catholic University, writes on p.280 that the Tridentine decrees were historically determined, apologetic, and defensive documents, rather than the authentic and full teaching of the Christian faith on the eucharist. He suggests that Trent itself never intended its decrees to be read as eternal, immutable, and unchanging laws.
It is always interesting to see what is being taught on the grass roots level in the Roman Church, and how it is so different from what many traditionalist RCs (especially converts, and people addicted to EWTN) believe.
