Can people from the Greek Orthodox Church receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church?

[Katherine117]

Hi,

My coworker who is a Greek Orthodox stated he can go to a Catholic Church and receive Holy Communion. When I asked whether he believe in everything the Catholic Church teaches and the magisterium, he stated he doesn’t know much then restated that in ***emergency ***(near death) situation, he can come to a Catholic Church and receive Holy Communion. Is this correct?

Thank you and God Bless you all and what you do.

Katherine

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Code of Canon Law:

Can. 844 §3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

Catechism of the Catholic Church:

**1399 **The Eastern churches that are not in full communion with the Catholic Church celebrate the Eucharist with great love. “These Churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments, above all - by apostolic succession - the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy.” A certain communion in sacris, and so in the Eucharist, “given suitable circumstances and the approval of Church authority, is not merely possible but is encouraged.”

The Catholic Church does not see a huge problem with the Eastern Orthodox members receiving communion in a Catholic Church. However the Catholic Church does not overly encourage this out of respect to the Eastern Orthodox Churches which do not normally permit their members to receive communion in non-Orthodox Churches.