Can a non-Catholic become a member of a local parish?

[Paul_Kostyak]

There should be Canon Law on this. Can a person who is interested in charity, the truth and the community become a member of the local Catholic parish, with no intention of fulfilling his Easter Duty? (A buddhist, for example) Thank you.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

Of course not! To be a member of a Catholic parish one must be a Catholic. I should think that this is fairly obvious. How could a Buddhist be a member of a Catholic parish and not even believe in the divinity of Christ? Why would a Buddhist want to?

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.