Can Episcopals take Communion in Catholic Churches?

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NewChristian27

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I have been baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Am I allowed to take Communion in a Catholic Church?
 
Only those who believe what we believe may partake of the Sacraments. When you join the Church, thereby publicly acknowledging your belief in everything a Catholic believes, then you may join us in the greatest Sacrament!

I’m sure my brothers and sisters will give you a technical rundown on the issue, and I will leave that in their more-than-capable hands.
 
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NewChristian27:
I have been baptized and confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Am I allowed to take Communion in a Catholic Church?
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The answer is no unless you convert and become a Catholic.

Blessings,
Shannin
 
Actually the answer is no unless there is danger of death or other “grave circumstances”. and
“In cases of danger of death or grave necessity, Catholic ministers may (by the permission of their conference of bishops) give the Eucharist to Protestant Christians who (a) cannot approach a minister of their own community, (b) who ask for the sacraments, (c) who share the Church’s faith concerning the Eucharist, and (d) are properly disposed to receiving it (CIC 844:4).”

Or you convert to the Catholic faith.

The complete guidelines are located here Link
 
No. Episcopalians (and other Protestants) are not invited to the table of the Lord in the Catholic Church.

One must be Catholic or Eastern Orthodox – who also have valid sacraments – to receive the Catholic Eucharist, except in the special circumstances noted by others on this thread. That means, as a practical matter, that you would have to be on your death bed before permission would be granted. The Orthodox are forbidden to partake of our sacraments by their own churches, though the Catholic Church does not object.

Episcopal sacraments aren’t valid.

We look forward to having you join us at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a confirmed Catholic :).

Thanks for asking. Peace be to you and to all who post at Catholic Answers.

JMJ Jay
 
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Katholikos:
That means, as a practical matter, that you would have to be on your death bed before permission would be granted.

JMJ Jay
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Not quite accurate I’m afraid, the circumstances are limited, as has been noted above in #4, but not as limited as you personally think.
 
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Katholikos:
Episcopal sacraments aren’t valid.

JMJ Jay
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Generally. There were some Anglican bishops, who realising the deficency of their consecrations, were reconsecrated or consecrated by Old Catholic Bishops or Orthodox Bishops giving them and priests ordained by them valid orders.

Problem is it is very difficult to to ascertain whether any given Anglican’s priest’s orders are valid or not. Even if he does have ‘Catholic’ beliefs, which most of them don’t.
 
So even though we recite the Nicene Creed, that alone doesn’t mean that we believe what Catholic’s believe?
 
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NewChristian27:
So even though we recite the Nicene Creed, that alone doesn’t mean that we believe what Catholic’s believe?
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It is much more complicated than that. Episcopalians do not hold the same faith in the eucharist that Catholics (and Orthodox for that matter) do. Also, the Eucharist is something that binds Catholics together. To receive communion in a Catholic parish would imply a unity which doesn’t exist between Catholics and Episcopalians.
 
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shannin:
… unless you convert and become a Catholic.

Blessings,
Shannin
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Howdy!

The priest at my parish is a convert to Catholicism from the Epis. church! It’s weird, but neat, to hear him speak of his wife and kids. He’s a phenomal priest and man! I’ve been priveleged to hear of his conversion from a couple of the families of his congregation that converted with him!! Awesome story.

I’m starting his bible study class tonight. Can’t wait!

michel
 
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WBB:
It is much more complicated than that. Episcopalians do not hold the same faith in the eucharist that Catholics (and Orthodox for that matter) do. Also, the Eucharist is something that binds Catholics together. To receive communion in a Catholic parish would imply a unity which doesn’t exist between Catholics and Episcopalians.
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I still don’t understand. I believe the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and so do you, right? I just don’t see the difference in beliefs.

Is there something I could read that would explain this better?
 
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NewChristian27:
So even though we recite the Nicene Creed, that alone doesn’t mean that we believe what Catholic’s believe?
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Come, join us. Talk to your local Catholic diocese about it.

Your brother in Christ.
 
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NewChristian27:
I still don’t understand. I believe the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and so do you, right? I just don’t see the difference in beliefs.
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See post #11 above.

God Bless.
 
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NewChristian27:
I still don’t understand. I believe the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and so do you, right? I just don’t see the difference in beliefs.

Is there something I could read that would explain this better?
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I am sorry. I went through the same thing when I was Episcopalian. It didn’t make sense to me then, but it does now. When Catholics receive communion, it is a sign of unity for us as Catholics. It is a way that we say that we all believe the same thing…not just in transubstantiation, but in the primacy of the successor of Peter, in the Immaculate Conception, in Purgatory, in the Assumption of Mary, etc. If you reject any of those teachings, then you are not united in faith with the Catholic Church (the one which is in communion with the Pope.), and to receive communion in a Catholic Church would imply a unity that doesn’t exist.
 
When an Episcopalian (or anyone else) becomes Catholic, before being admitted to the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, he must make the following profession of faith:

I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches.

The whole thing. Papacy, Marian doctrines, Purgatory . . . All of it. If you, as an Episcopalian cannot do that, then it stands to reason that you will not wish to receive the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you can make such a profession, then you need to make an honest man or woman of yourself and cross the Tiber.
 
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NewChristian27:
I still don’t understand. I believe the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ and so do you, right? I just don’t see the difference in beliefs.

Is there something I could read that would explain this better?
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Communion of Non-Catholics or Intercommunion
ewtn.com/expert/answers/intercommunion.htm

To understand the differences between the various Protestant Eucharistic theologies and that of Catholics & Orthodox, see James Akin’s article here where he explains the four basic views:

What is the validity of the Eucharist in Lutheran and Anglican churches? by James Akin
 
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mercygate:
When an Episcopalian (or anyone else) becomes Catholic, before being admitted to the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, he must make the following profession of faith:

I believe and profess all that the Catholic Church believes and teaches.

The whole thing. Papacy, Marian doctrines, Purgatory . . . All of it. If you, as an Episcopalian cannot do that, then it stands to reason that you will not wish to receive the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. If you can make such a profession, then you need to make an honest man or woman of yourself and cross the Tiber.
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Ah! That makes sense. Thanks to everyone for the info.
 
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