A hypothetical scenario about Communion

[CrossofChrist]

A person–I’ll call them Tom–was baptized and confirmed Catholic. He spent a few years away from the faith, but recently has started to attend Mass again. Tom is sincere in his search for God and believes most of what the Catholic Church teaches, but after some life experiences can’t understand the Church’s teaching against murdering others in concentration camps (you could insert something else here too, just an example I’m using).

While clearly misguided and wrong, Tom is sincere (leave the practicality of whether or not a person can sincerely be for Nazi-like activities out of this). Is Tom eligible to receive Holy Communion, or is Tom not eligible to receive Holy Communion?

 

[thephilosopher6]

A person–I’ll call them Tom–was baptized and confirmed Catholic. He spent a few years away from the faith, but recently has started to attend Mass again. Tom is sincere in his search for God and believes most of what the Catholic Church teaches, but after some life experiences can’t understand the Church’s teaching against murdering others in concentration camps (you could insert something else here too, just an example I’m using).

While clearly misguided and wrong, Tom is sincere (leave the practicality of whether or not a person can sincerely be for Nazi-like activities out of this). Is Tom eligible to receive Holy Communion, or is Tom not eligible to receive Holy Communion?

If Tom does not believe everything the Catholic Church teaches, then he should not be taking communion.

 

[Reuben_J]

A person–I’ll call them Tom–was baptized and confirmed Catholic. He spent a few years away from the faith, but recently has started to attend Mass again. Tom is sincere in his search for God and believes most of what the Catholic Church teaches, but after some life experiences can’t understand the Church’s teaching against murdering others in concentration camps (you could insert something else here too, just an example I’m using).

While clearly misguided and wrong, Tom is sincere (leave the practicality of whether or not a person can sincerely be for Nazi-like activities out of this). Is Tom eligible to receive Holy Communion, or is Tom not eligible to receive Holy Communion?

Go for Confession first and take it from there. He can always receive Communion if in a state of grace.

 

[Monica4316]

A person–I’ll call them Tom–was baptized and confirmed Catholic. He spent a few years away from the faith, but recently has started to attend Mass again. Tom is sincere in his search for God and believes most of what the Catholic Church teaches, but after some life experiences can’t understand the Church’s teaching against murdering others in concentration camps (you could insert something else here too, just an example I’m using).

While clearly misguided and wrong, Tom is sincere (leave the practicality of whether or not a person can sincerely be for Nazi-like activities out of this). Is Tom eligible to receive Holy Communion, or is Tom not eligible to receive Holy Communion?

I’d say no he would not be eligible… if a person is sincere in their search for God, it doesn’t mean they’re ready yet for Communion. It only means they may well yet get there someday, with God’s grace they’re in a process and should be encouraged to continue learning about the Church teaching.

Also, it’s hard to know if we are truly completely sincere. I thought I was really sincere as a Protestant, but looking back, I’m not sure certain. Our hearts can deceive us at the time. In any case though, sincerity alone isn’t enough, the person needs to be ready, not just on the way to being ready

 

[Beryllos]

Perhaps Tom may receive. Communion is not for perfect Catholics. If it were, who then would be eligible?

If he actually caused others to suffer, that would constitute grave matter, and then we would examine the other two conditions of mortal sin (full knowledge and deliberate consent).

If it is only a matter of thought, there may yet be grave matter, not so much because of what he thinks about the authority of the Church, but because of what he thinks about his neighbor. In other words, Tom exhibits a profound lack (or failure) of charity toward his fellow man. Once again the mortality of the sin would depend on his full knowledge and deliberate consent.

 

[St_Francis]

The general idea seems to be acceptance of the Church’s teaching authority: does Tom believe that the Church teaches the truth and is protected from teaching error? Has Tom considered the teaching as a teaching to determine what precisely the teaching is, and the level at which it is taught? If Tom fully understands the teaching, and that it is an always-and-everywhere teaching, and he accepts that the Church is correct although he himself does not understand it, then he could receive. if, however, he chooses to reject the teaching, St Thomas Aquinas would say Tom has turned Church teaching into mere matters of opinion and thus I would say that Tom should not receive.

 

[thistle]

A person–I’ll call them Tom–was baptized and confirmed Catholic. He spent a few years away from the faith, but recently has started to attend Mass again. Tom is sincere in his search for God and believes most of what the Catholic Church teaches, but after some life experiences can’t understand the Church’s teaching against murdering others in concentration camps (you could insert something else here too, just an example I’m using).

While clearly misguided and wrong, Tom is sincere (leave the practicality of whether or not a person can sincerely be for Nazi-like activities out of this). Is Tom eligible to receive Holy Communion, or is Tom not eligible to receive Holy Communion?

Even if “Tom” doesn’t understand some of the teachings of the Church he MUST ACCEPT them and try to learn more about them to gain an understanding. If he does accept all the teachings and is not otherwise in a state of mortal sin then he could receive Communion.

However, if “Tom” refuses to accept any teachings he does not understand then he commits a sin of grave matter and may not receive Communion.

 

[1Lord1Faith]

Sometimes, the hubris on CAF is truly surprising. It reminds me of the parable of the unforgiving servant, or the prodigal son, for that matter.

Even these, so-called, hypothetical situations may have bearing on someone who comes to CAF to read, and may be on the fence about returning to the Church, or coming back to mass etc… Posting things like, ‘they shouldn’t bother unless they are in FULL compliance’, is nonsense. I know that’s not what most people said, but that’s the message people will hear.

People here need to do some serious work on their mercy and compassion, and maybe even reconsider receiving the Eucharist this weekend, because they don’t fully buy into the Church’s teaching on mercy and judgement

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Even if “Tom” doesn’t understand some of the teachings of the Church he MUST ACCEPT them and try to learn more about them to gain an understanding. If he does accept all the teachings and is not otherwise in a state of mortal sin then he could receive Communion.

However, if “Tom” refuses to accept any teachings he does not understand then he commits a sin of grave matter and may not receive Communion.

The Church teaches against the death penalty. So if someone believes in the death penalty - say in a place where it is still legal - that person should not receive Communion?

 

[CrossofChrist]

If Tom does not believe everything the Catholic Church teaches, then he should not be taking communion.

That seems to be the general consensus among the responses. But canon law allows non-Catholics in some situations to receive Communion.

 

[MorEphrem]

If Tom does not believe everything the Catholic Church teaches, then he should not be taking communion.

That’s untrue. In very Western terms, it is really contingent on constitutes your view of conformity of will for obedience. One might say only external conformity is necessary (i.e. you can retain your personal opinion but not express or teach it). Another might say internal conformity is necessary (i.e. not only must you be externally obedient but must convince yourself that you are incorrect and the position you take issue with is correct). Certainly one cannot be a condemned heretic who refuses to recant and receive the Eucharist, but it’s generally not that clear cut.

There simply isn’t enough information to say whether or not he can receive communion. Tom should speak go to his spiritual father to clarify matters.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

A person–I’ll call them Tom–was baptized and confirmed Catholic. He spent a few years away from the faith, but recently has started to attend Mass again. Tom is sincere in his search for God and believes most of what the Catholic Church teaches, but after some life experiences can’t understand the Church’s teaching against murdering others in concentration camps (you could insert something else here too, just an example I’m using).

While clearly misguided and wrong, Tom is sincere (leave the practicality of whether or not a person can sincerely be for Nazi-like activities out of this). Is Tom eligible to receive Holy Communion, or is Tom not eligible to receive Holy Communion?

As a priest, I can only assume that your scenario is some sort of theoretical exercise like I might have introduced in a lecture.

There is, actually, an answer as opposed to various opinions offered by this one and that one.

If this, perchance, is an actual situation in your life or the life of someone you are counseling, then you should take the matter to a priest…it would be even better, if possible, were he one who has a theological specialisation in the field from which the qualm arises.

 

[CrossofChrist]

As a priest, I can only assume that your scenario is some sort of theoretical exercise like I might have introduced in a lecture.

It 100% is.

There is, actually, an answer as opposed to various opinions offered by this one and that one.

What would that be? If you would prefer maybe PM me? If you don’t want to respond at all that’s fine too.

If this, perchance, is an actual situation in your life or the life of someone you are counseling, then you should take the matter to a priest…it would be even better, if possible, were he one who has a theological specialisation in the field from which the qualm arises.

No, it’s not an actual situation in my life. Just trying to deepen my knowledge.

 

[thistle]

The Church teaches against the death penalty. So if someone believes in the death penalty - say in a place where it is still legal - that person should not receive Communion?

Get your facts right. The Church does NOT teach against the death penalty. Catholics are allowed to believe or not believe in capital punishment.