"But the Eucharist is the same in the Episcopal church"

[Eric_Olsen]

Sorry if this is a repost but I have heard this mentioned a couple of times by other Catholics that go up for “communion” in the Episcopal church or other denominations. Can someone please explain why these people think this way???

 

[Phemie]

Sorry if this is a repost but I have heard this mentioned a couple of times by other Catholics that go up for “communion” in the Episcopal church or other denominations. Can someone please explain why these people think this way???

Because nobody ever taught them the difference?

Recently we had a parishioner die when the priest was out of town. The family expressed a preference for the Anglican minister to do the funeral rather than a lay member of our own community. There was no explaining, even to the chair of the liturgy committee, how wrong that attitude was.

 

[baltobetsy]

Probably because the service in the Episcopal church is very similar outwardly to the Mass. The distribution of communion looks the same. It would be easy for a person without good formation to get the two confused.

Betsy

 

[Phemie]

Probably because the service in the Episcopal church is very similar outwardly to the Mass. The distribution of communion looks the same. It would be easy for a person without good formation to get the two confused.

Betsy

It’s true that when the Anglican Primate celebrated ‘Mass’ at the local Anglican parish I had to keep reminding myself that this was not really Mass and that no Eucharist was actually happening. We were there in the context of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which just happened to coincide with the Primate’s visit.

Communion was different in that they all received kneeling at the altar rail. But when my Pastor went up to receive, followed by a few of our parishioners who had, until they saw him go up, made no motion to do so, I realized why people are confused and don’t know the difference.

 

[HCC]

It’s true that when the Anglican Primate celebrated ‘Mass’ at the local Anglican parish I had to keep reminding myself that this was not really Mass and that no Eucharist was actually happening. We were there in the context of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which just happened to coincide with the Primate’s visit.

Communion was different in that they all received kneeling at the altar rail. But when my Pastor went up to receive, followed by a few of our parishioners who had, until they saw him go up, made no motion to do so, I realized why people are confused and don’t know the difference.

Oh my goodness…please do write to your bishop about that last line.

 

[Phemie]

Oh my goodness…please do write to your bishop about that last line.

To the man who, upon being asked by a non-Catholic if he could receive Communion at a funeral Mass he was attending replied, “Pretend you never asked that question”? I don’t think so – I’d be patted on the head and told, “There, there, don’t worry your little head about such things.”

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I cannot help from wondering why our priests are so poor at catechising the faithful on these matters regarding the Holy Eucharist. I get quite frightened sometimes about what is going to happen to the Catholic Church.

 

[HCC]

To the man who, upon being asked by a non-Catholic if he could receive Communion at a funeral Mass he was attending replied, “Pretend you never asked that question”? I don’t think so – I’d be patted on the head and told, “There, there, don’t worry your little head about such things.”

Perhaps offer your next communion in reparation for all the scandalous communions received that day and for the soul of that priest…maybe for the bishop too.:banghead:

 

[LilyM]

To the man who, upon being asked by a non-Catholic if he could receive Communion at a funeral Mass he was attending replied, “Pretend you never asked that question”? I don’t think so – I’d be patted on the head and told, “There, there, don’t worry your little head about such things.”

That’s when you take things further - to Canada’s Council of Bishops, the Papal Nuncio in Canada, and if need be to Rome.

You can NOT just leave it there and not make an effort to avoid further scandal.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Sorry if this is a repost but I have heard this mentioned a couple of times by other Catholics that go up for “communion” in the Episcopal church or other denominations. Can someone please explain why these people think this way???

Simple answer, poorly catechized. These same people perhaps think that Communion is just bread thats blessed to symbolize the Body of Jesus. Or perhaps there still may be few who do believe in the Real Presence, but lack the knowledge of what it takes to make a valid Sacrament.

 

[Sherry_G]

When our parish preist is out of town for a weekend or on vacation, we get a priest who lives in a monastery retirement home. While he is a very cheerful and enthusiastic priest, he allows himself great liberties during the Mass which are upsetting and very distracting. He marches up and down the center aisle of Church when giving his homily and changes the words of almost every sacred prayer, including the words of consecration. Most of the long time members of the parish are quite fond of this priest, including our deacon. No one seems to have a problem with what this priest is doing. I find it very distressing and keep reminding myself to pray for his soul later, but during Mass try to concentrate on our Lord in the Holy Eucharist and offering myself up to God with Him. I sincerely believe that the Sacrament is not invalidated by this priests misguided and self-serving “performance”.

I have vowed that I will have a private word with the Bishop about this priest the next time the Bishop comes to our parish. Perhaps he can review with the priest in question.

 

[PaulinVA]

Many priests who participate in interfaith groups in their area, for feeding the poor or whatever, find it very hard to be nice to everyone and fully participate in the shared ministry, and then, at the time of worship or liturgy, remind them that in the eyes of the Catholic Church they are all heretics.

Since only thirty percent of Catholics believe in the real presence, for them ,attending worship services and receiving “communion” in another christian denomination isn’t a problem at all.

 

[Sherry_G]

Many priests who participate in interfaith groups in their area, for feeding the poor or whatever, find it very hard to be nice to everyone and fully participate in the shared ministry, and then, at the time of worship or liturgy, remind them that in the eyes of the Catholic Church they are all heretics.

Since only thirty percent of Catholics believe in the real presence, for them ,attending worship services and receiving “communion” in another christian denomination isn’t a problem at all.

Where in the world did these figures come from??? Can you cite the source? Please do so.

As for priests participating in shared ministries to serve the poor, that is totally separate from giving a short directive concerning becoming Catholic before one can receive the Holy Eucharist. Put in proper terms there is no insult, just common sense.

 

[Eric_Olsen]

It’s true that when the Anglican Primate celebrated ‘Mass’ at the local Anglican parish I had to keep reminding myself that this was not really Mass and that no Eucharist was actually happening. We were there in the context of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which just happened to coincide with the Primate’s visit.

Communion was different in that they all received kneeling at the altar rail. But when my Pastor went up to receive, followed by a few of our parishioners who had, until they saw him go up, made no motion to do so, I realized why people are confused and don’t know the difference.

Well just because they receive kneeling and at an altar rail is not what makes it different because there are Catholic churches that receives kneeling and at the altar rail.
Shame on your pastor and those who followed him for receiving something that is not the real body of Christ.