All Are Welcome?

[MSUBobcat93]

I have been at several Catholic funerals and weddings. Since there are some in attendance who are not Catholic, should the priest remind those who are not about the rules of communion?

The reason I ask, is that at these weddings and funerals, it is quite obvious that non Catholics are receiving communion.

At my brothers wedding, the preist said “all are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. My wife as well as my cousin could not believe it. One of my liberal cosuins from out of state said “now that is my kind of priest”

Any thoughts?

 

[Chatter163]

IAt my brothers wedding, the preist said “all are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. My wife as well as my cousin could not believe it. One of my liberal cosuins from out of state said “now that is my kind of priest”

Yikes!

The priest has issued such a reminder at most weddings and funerals that I have attended. In a few cases it was in the program.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I have been at several Catholic funerals and weddings. Since there are some in attendance who are not Catholic, should the priest remind those who are not about the rules of communion?

The reason I ask, is that at these weddings and funerals, it is quite obvious that non Catholics are receiving communion.

At my brothers wedding, the preist said “all are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. My wife as well as my cousin could not believe it. One of my liberal cosuins from out of state said “now that is my kind of priest”

Any thoughts?

Oh dear, not my kind of priest. In the interest of not wishing to offend anyone he has been dishonest and missed the ‘teachable moment’. This announcement can be made in a kind and honest manner and is usually printed in the program.

 

[Myqyl]

I can’t state with any certainty what the rules are, but…

Before my wife started RCIA, she went with her family to Rome. She had been looking at the Church so obviously Saint Peter’s in Rome was on her “must see” list. As she was walking in, she saw a sign (permanent type, not a paper taped to the door) That read “All are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. The sign went on to spell out what the Eucharist is and that if you believed, you were welcome regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. She received that day and came home absolutely ON FIRE for RCIA and becoming Catholic.

Now that was at Vatican City. If they are breaking rules, then I have to wonder if they are actually rules or not.

Beyond that, I can’t comment…

God bless

 

[Windmill]

Canon 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ’s faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in §§2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in canon 861 §2*.
**
Canon 844 §2 **Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ’s faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

Canon 844 §3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

Canon 844 §4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

Canon 844 §5 In respect of the cases dealt with in §§2, 3 and 4, the diocesan Bishop or the Episcopal Conference is not to issue general norms except after consultation with the competent authority, at least at the local level, of the non-catholic Church or community concerned.

*(Canon 861 deals with the reception of Baptism, so it is unrelated to the OP.)

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I can’t state with any certainty what the rules are, but…

Before my wife started RCIA, she went with her family to Rome. She had been looking at the Church so obviously Saint Peter’s in Rome was on her “must see” list. As she was walking in, she saw a sign (permanent type, not a paper taped to the door) That read “All are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. The sign went on to spell out what the Eucharist is and that if you believed, you were welcome regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. She received that day and came home absolutely ON FIRE for RCIA and becoming Catholic.

Now that was at Vatican City. If they are breaking rules, then I have to wonder if they are actually rules or not.

Beyond that, I can’t comment…

God bless

OMG I’ve heard it said that the American Catholics take the official church pronouncements more seriously than the Italians do but that is in-your-face disobedience of church teaching on the reception of the Eucharist.

I’m glad your wife took to heart the teaching on the Eucharist from that sign though.

 

[Allegra]

I have been at several Catholic funerals and weddings. Since there are some in attendance who are not Catholic, should the priest remind those who are not about the rules of communion?

The reason I ask, is that at these weddings and funerals, it is quite obvious that non Catholics are receiving communion.

At my brothers wedding, the preist said “all are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. My wife as well as my cousin could not believe it. One of my liberal cosuins from out of state said “now that is my kind of priest”

Any thoughts?

Not cool!

 

[zab]

I have been at several Catholic funerals and weddings. Since there are some in attendance who are not Catholic, should the priest remind those who are not about the rules of communion?

The reason I ask, is that at these weddings and funerals, it is quite obvious that non Catholics are receiving communion.

At my brothers wedding, the preist said “all are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. My wife as well as my cousin could not believe it. One of my liberal cosuins from out of state said “now that is my kind of priest”

Any thoughts?

Yes the priests should be making an announcement during those special occassions when there may be several non-Catholics present letting them know who is permitted to receive Communion. And it was wrong for the priest to invite everyone to receive.

 

[marlap2]

Pray for that priest. I am praying for that priest.

I’ve been to more than a few funerals and one wedding this month and a bit. And every one Catholic, and every priest using the “teachable moment” scenario. What I found interesting, is that when he did indeed proclaim the truth about the Eucharist, and welcome those non-believers up for a blessing, hardly any went up for a blessing.

I am un-nerved a bit about the Vatican sign. But I’m going to be there in less than a month, so I’m definitely checking it out, as I’ll be going to the 7am Mass every day. I’m literally across the street from the walls, and can see St. Peters from window.

Blessings

 

[zab]

I am un-nerved a bit about the Vatican sign. But I’m going to be there in less than a month, so I’m definitely checking it out, as I’ll be going to the 7am Mass every day. I’m literally across the street from the walls, and can see St. Peters from window.

Blessings

I don’t understand what you mean about “the Vatican sign”

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

I can’t state with any certainty what the rules are, but…

Before my wife started RCIA, she went with her family to Rome. She had been looking at the Church so obviously Saint Peter’s in Rome was on her “must see” list. As she was walking in, she saw a sign (permanent type, not a paper taped to the door) That read “All are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. The sign went on to spell out what the Eucharist is and that if you believed, you were welcome regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. She received that day and came home absolutely ON FIRE for RCIA and becoming Catholic.

Now that was at Vatican City. If they are breaking rules, then I have to wonder if they are actually rules or not.

Beyond that, I can’t comment…

God bless

Could someone else comment on this “sign?” I was in Rome not too long ago, and the only signs I saw at St. Peter’s had to do with the dress code. Plus, in three visits to St. Peter’s I never saw the Eucharist being distributed nor did I think it was generally available to the average walk-in. This just doesn’t sound right - even our parish missalette has a more orthodox statement than this. Plus the alleged “sign” makes no reference to being properly disposed concerning the absence of mortal sin.

 

[novusCatholic]

Plus, in three visits to St. Peter’s I never saw the Eucharist being distributed nor did I think it was generally available to the average walk-in.

They celebrate Mass several times per day in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and/or at the Altar of St. Joseph or the Altar of the Chair.

I’ve visited St. Peter’s a few times and do not recall seeing any signs welcoming all to receive communion regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. I have seen a sign posted at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel that says “Only those who wish to pray may enter.” (no touristy gawking). I have also seen Swiss Guard posted at the left transept to prevent people from taking photos during Mass.

 

[hudson]

I can’t state with any certainty what the rules are, but…

Before my wife started RCIA, she went with her family to Rome. She had been looking at the Church so obviously Saint Peter’s in Rome was on her “must see” list. As she was walking in, she saw a sign (permanent type, not a paper taped to the door) That read “All are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. The sign went on to spell out what the Eucharist is and that if you believed, you were welcome regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. She received that day and came home absolutely ON FIRE for RCIA and becoming Catholic.

Now that was at Vatican City. If they are breaking rules, then I have to wonder if they are actually rules or not.

Beyond that, I can’t comment…

God bless

I highly doubt it. If this were true there would be photos and stories about it all over the internet. Unless I see evidence, I would say your wife was mistaken.

 

[Myqyl]

Could someone else comment on this “sign?” I was in Rome not too long ago, and the only signs I saw at St. Peter’s had to do with the dress code. Plus, in three visits to St. Peter’s I never saw the Eucharist being distributed nor did I think it was generally available to the average walk-in. This just doesn’t sound right - even our parish missalette has a more orthodox statement than this. Plus the alleged “sign” makes no reference to being properly disposed concerning the absence of mortal sin.

For time reference, this would have been in late May, 1996. I was as surprised as you all are. I spoke with my parish priest and he wasn’t nearly as surprised (which surprised me all the more)… He said something about it being important that people know what the Eucharist is, but that Christians are just Catholics that are not in full communion with Rome, and that none of us are “fully” in communion with Rome. (Since none are perfect except God) He said something along the lines of “Jesus said ‘Take This and eat it, all of you’,”

I’m not saying this is right, or wrong… Such issues are WAY over my head. I’m just saying that this is a practice that is far more widespread than you might think and that it seems to practiced even in the Vatican.

 

[GwenL]

I can’t state with any certainty what the rules are, but…

Before my wife started RCIA, she went with her family to Rome. She had been looking at the Church so obviously Saint Peter’s in Rome was on her “must see” list. As she was walking in, she saw a sign (permanent type, not a paper taped to the door) That read “All are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. The sign went on to spell out what the Eucharist is and that if you believed, you were welcome regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. She received that day and came home absolutely ON FIRE for RCIA and becoming Catholic.

Now that was at Vatican City. If they are breaking rules, then I have to wonder if they are actually rules or not.

Beyond that, I can’t comment…

God bless

Please ask your wife: exactly where is the sign? What door? What side? Was it on the main doors? Outside a chapel? Inside the doorway? Was it near other signs? Can she remember any artwork that might be nearby? Be as precise as possible. I will be at St Peter’s next week. Tell me enough so that I can find the sign.

It sounds like a sign with many words–probably at least three sentences. What language(s) was the sign written in? English? Italian? Latin? Or was it in several languages? How big was the sign? Maybe she can remember a relative size…was it as big as a street sign? A stop sign?

 

[dixieagle]

I highly doubt it. If this were true there would be photos and stories about it all over the internet. Unless I see evidence, I would say your wife was mistaken.

I would tend to agree. I cannot begin to imagine that there would be a sign such as this at St. Peter’s (and I have been there several times, including during the time frame referenced and noticed no such thing.)

Now, that’s not to say somewhere else in Rome didn’t have a sign like this…sigh…

 

[Myqyl]

Please ask your wife: exactly where is the sign? What door? What side? Was it on the main doors? Outside a chapel? Inside the doorway? Was it near other signs? Can she remember any artwork that might be nearby? Be as precise as possible. I will be at St Peter’s next week. Tell me enough so that I can find the sign.

It sounds like a sign with many words–probably at least three sentences. What language(s) was the sign written in? English? Italian? Latin? Or was it in several languages? How big was the sign? Maybe she can remember a relative size…was it as big as a street sign? A stop sign?

I remember she said it was in MANY languages… I’ll ask her tonight, but we’re taking the kids out so I won’t be back on forum till tomorrow morning… I’ll get as many details as I can.

Thanks!

God bless

 

[MarkThompson]

For time reference, this would have been in late May, 1996. I was as surprised as you all are. I spoke with my parish priest and he wasn’t nearly as surprised (which surprised me all the more)… He said something about it being important that people know what the Eucharist is, but that Christians are just Catholics that are not in full communion with Rome, and that none of us are “fully” in communion with Rome. (Since none are perfect except God) He said something along the lines of “Jesus said ‘Take This and eat it, all of you’,”

I’m not saying this is right, or wrong… Such issues are WAY over my head. I’m just saying that this is a practice that is far more widespread than you might think and that it seems to practiced even in the Vatican.

Well, I was there in early-mid July of 1996, and I certainly don’t recall seeing any such thing.

 

[Allegra]

I can’t state with any certainty what the rules are, but…

Before my wife started RCIA, she went with her family to Rome. She had been looking at the Church so obviously Saint Peter’s in Rome was on her “must see” list. As she was walking in, she saw a sign (permanent type, not a paper taped to the door) That read “All are welcome to receive the Eucharist”. The sign went on to spell out what the Eucharist is and that if you believed, you were welcome regardless of whether or not you were Catholic. She received that day and came home absolutely ON FIRE for RCIA and becoming Catholic.

Now that was at Vatican City. If they are breaking rules, then I have to wonder if they are actually rules or not.

Beyond that, I can’t comment…

God bless

I find this very hard to believe.

 

[Phemie]

Yikes!

The priest has issued such a reminder at most weddings and funerals that I have attended. In a few cases it was in the program.

I’ve only heard it once, last Christmas, when a visiting priest made a point of explaining what receiving Communion meant and assured those ‘visitors and friends of other faiths’ that they ‘didn’t want to make it seem as though they believed everything about the Catholic Church by receiving Communion.’

It was a welcome change from watching the Anglican & United Church ministers going for Communion anytime they are at our Church for a funeral or other celebration.