Catholic man marries Episcopal Woman

[emeraldcoast]

Hi JDuffy,

How do you reconcile the fact that the woman that you love is not welcomed at your churches Communion?

God Bless!

 

[SIA]

Could be we are not serving our own self-interest but that we honestly believe that your interpretation is wrong. Astounding thought? We don’t take lightly the eucharist either. We recognize that not all are welcome at your table. Funny, just the opposite of Jesus who called a lot of sinners to his table and fed them well. I wonder if there is a lesson in there somewhere. And the idea that people are converting to the roman Church? Well, I don’t know, undoubtedly some are, but a ton are leaving in every region of the world so I read.

I agree. I have read where folks are leaving the RCC in droves in some parts of the world such as in Central America and South America. Just read about the thousands that have left because of the child sex abuse scandal.

 

[SIA]

I think this thread has turned into the perfect example of how people do not understand the Catholic Church and its teachings. The best way I can put it is, the Catholic Church isn’t a “NO, NO, NO” it is in contrast a “YES, YES, YES” to the will of God and the Church which Jesus founded. The people who are saying “NO, NO, NO” are those who would rather not submit to His Church and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and God’s will for their own self-serving opinions, desires, and feelings. The Church isn’t a democracy. We do not take light the Eucharist nor would we make a mockery of something of such importance. It is true that all are invited to the table, but not all are welcome.

Where other churches bend and break for accommodating certain people, the Catholic Church remains to be firm, stern, and even seems to grow stronger in its truth.

Could that be why more and more are looking to Rome for full communion or conversion?

could have fooled me.

 

[Peter_J]

Roman catholics are more than welcome to receive communion in the Episcopal church, of course. It is only the arrogance of the receiver that it doesn’t “take” that prevents it. We think God welcomes all who come in love of Jesus to the table. We don’t reject anyone simply because they have a different dogma than we do. Baptism is all that is required. But another reason that Rome is not for me. It’s all about exclusion.

I don’t want to get into an argument with you about who’s humble and who’s arrogant. But I would like to ask you, If you were at a Baptist service, and they invited everyone to go up and receive communion, would you?

Could be we are not serving our own self-interest but that we honestly believe that your interpretation is wrong.

Yes. And vice versa.

 

[Peter_J]

Hi Corki,

Intercommunion with non-Catholics would be an outward sign of something that is sadly not currently true.

I question whether you really thought that sentence through before posting it.

**For our fellow Christians **

We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

(found in most Catholic missalettes.)

 

[Corki]

Hi Corki,

I question whether you really thought that sentence through before posting it.

(found in most Catholic missalettes.)

What I said:

Intercommunion with non-Catholics would be an outward sign of something that is sadly not currently true.

Portion of what you posted from the missalette:

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion.

They say the same thing. Why would you question my thought process? Does it trouble you that I would want to say the same thing that the Church does?

 

[Corki]

Would it now? How sad for you.

Yes, it is sad. It is sad for all of us and for the Church. She wants us to be in Communion. The Church has many documents about what a sad situation it is. But as long as we are theologically divided, we will still have these sad divisions.

 

[Peter_J]

Does it trouble you that I would want to say the same thing that the Church does?

No it doesn’t. If you’re at least trying to say the same thing that the Church does, then I give you credit for that.

Why would you question my thought process?

I guess I just didn’t really think of you any differently than anyone else here.

Sorry if that’s not a very good answer. Perhaps you could tell me why you think that your thought process shouldn’t be questioned, and then we could go from there.

Portion of what you posted from the missalette:

I think the key word here is “portion”. Please look at the rest of what I quoted (emphasis added):

**For our fellow Christians **

We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

 

[1ke]

Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

No one is debating the fact that members of Churches with** valid Sacraments** may receive the Eucharist in the Catholic Church.

Episcopalians and other Protestant denominations are not among the group of Churches the Catholic Church recognizes as having valid Sacraments. The comments on this thread have been directed accordingly because the OP’s finacee is Episcopalian.

 

[Corki]

No it doesn’t. If you’re at least trying to say the same thing that the Church does, then I give you credit for that.

I am saying exactly what the Church says.

I guess I just didn’t really think of you any differently than anyone else here.

Why should you?

Sorry if that’s not a very good answer. Perhaps you could tell me why you think that your thought process shouldn’t be questioned, and then we could go from there.

Because I am Catholic and am stating the current discipline and teaching of the Catholic Church

I think the key word here is “portion”. Please look at the rest of what I quoted (emphasis added):

As noted in a post above there is a specific exception that has been granted for the Orthodox, Assyrian and PNC. Take a look at the title of this thread. We are talking about the Epicopal church’s communion. They are not on the list.

 

[emeraldcoast]

" All Baptized Christians are invited to share in the Holy Eucharist" --straight from my Sunday bulletin.

God Bless!

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I fail to understand why episcopalians think that everyone should be welcome to step forward at a Roman Catholic Mass and take communion? Why is it so hard to comprehend what the Eucharist means to Roman Catholics? It’s not just the Real Presence of Christ, it is THE most visible sign of unity we have? It’s not just a sign of unity visibly but a sign of unity of doctrine. We believe in the papacy, seven sacraments, the creeds, the communion of and intercession of the saints, transubstantiation, the Immaculate nature of Mary, and so much more. Episcopalians have not committed to those beliefs so why should they be so bold as to assert that they should have the right to drink from the Lord’s chalice at a Catholic Mass? Why can’t episcopalians respect that?

I used to be an episcopalian and even back then, when I was at odds with Catholic doctrine on everything from soup to nuts, I would NEVER go take communion at a Roman Catholic Church in those days!! Now that I am a revert to Catholicism since 2003, I am of the same mindset and dedicated to only Catholic teachings. I would NOT drink from the episcopal cup because that is a sign of unity with their beliefs.

I do not accept a female priesthood, homosexual marriages, Anglican orders, justification through faith alone, many of the 39 Articles, and the Anglican rite of worship does not look at the Mass as a living sacrifice. There are a million things with which I disagree with Anglicanism so I don’t see why I would presume to march into their church and drink from their chalice?

And when I hear folks come in here and say, “how do you feel about your poor bride not being accepted in a Roman Church and being forbidden communion?” I just shake my head…

Christ comes BEFORE our spouses, our friends, our kids, our selfishness. If we truly hold fast to our Catholic faith, why is it so hard to recognize that a fiancee who is not of our faith is not ready to partake of our communion? She is not a bad person or inferior but rather loved greatly by God. But until she is ready to fully enter into the unity of Catholicism, it’s hypocritical and spiritually dangerous for her to take the Blessed Host.

It’s like saying that Ted Kennedy and Jesse Jackson should be able to speak at the Republican Convention? HUH? lol

Nothing outrages me more than protestants who go to a Catholic Mass and take communion and Catholics who do likewise with protestants. It’s an outrage and highly offensive. I have visited other churches and never would I presume to take communion with a group that is divergent to my beliefs. What’s even worse is that there are Roman Catholic priests, thankfully few, who sell out the Church’s unity and give communion to non-Catholics regularly.

 

[po18guy]

How sad it is. Jesus didn’t intend for this and he even said that we should be as one. The Catholic church has done so much to create separation and ill will amongst other God loving Christians and it is so very sad. The Episcopalians woul be ever so willing to share in communion with Catholics, but they only refuse and continue to uphold this stale mate if you will. It is senseless.

Oh, puhleeese! OK, so there should be only one church. Which one? I know you have the answer.

You must believe something to be Christian, right? Why condemn the Catholic church because it believes in more than you do? Do you despise it because it cannot change? Its higher level of beliefs traces directly back to Christ, just as each priest can trace his ordination to one of the twelve.

Christ’s peace.

 

[po18guy]

The odd thing is that your wife can become a priest, but you cannot.

I was not baptized when my wife and I were married. The priest grilled me at some length before he agreed to marry us. I received his blessing rather than the Eucharist, during the mass.

Fortunately, my baptism solved that problem!

 

[Claire_from_DE]

" All Baptized Christians are invited to share in the Holy Eucharist" --straight from my Sunday bulletin.

God Bless!

Well, for Catholics, only those who are in communion with us can receive communion with us and vice versa. When you read early church writings you see that the same rule existed then too. Members of those groups that split off from the Church could not receive communion until they came back to the Church. And those within the Church were forbidden to partake of any of the sacraments of the separated groups. The members of the separated groups were baptized and they were Christian but they didn’t accept everything the Church taught. Now the Catholic and the Orthodox churches are the only ones holding to this early church practice. But if you disagree with this practice you also disagree with the apostolic and post-apostolic church.

 

[1ke]

" All Baptized Christians are invited to share in the Holy Eucharist" --straight from my Sunday bulletin.

God Bless!

This is not relevant.

 

[Tonks40]

I fail to understand why episcopalians think that everyone should be welcome to step forward at a Roman Catholic Mass and take communion? Why is it so hard to comprehend what the Eucharist means to Roman Catholics? It’s not just the Real Presence of Christ, it is THE most visible sign of unity we have? It’s not just a sign of unity visibly but a sign of unity of doctrine. We believe in the papacy, seven sacraments, the creeds, the communion of and intercession of the saints, transubstantiation, the Immaculate nature of Mary, and so much more. Episcopalians have not committed to those beliefs so why should they be so bold as to assert that they should have the right to drink from the Lord’s chalice at a Catholic Mass? Why can’t episcopalians respect that?

I used to be an episcopalian and even back then, when I was at odds with Catholic doctrine on everything from soup to nuts, I would NEVER go take communion at a Roman Catholic Church in those days!! Now that I am a revert to Catholicism since 2003, I am of the same mindset and dedicated to only Catholic teachings. I would NOT drink from the episcopal cup because that is a sign of unity with their beliefs.

I do not accept a female priesthood, homosexual marriages, Anglican orders, justification through faith alone, many of the 39 Articles, and the Anglican rite of worship does not look at the Mass as a living sacrifice. There are a million things with which I disagree with Anglicanism so I don’t see why I would presume to march into their church and drink from their chalice?

And when I hear folks come in here and say, “how do you feel about your poor bride not being accepted in a Roman Church and being forbidden communion?” I just shake my head…

Christ comes BEFORE our spouses, our friends, our kids, our selfishness. If we truly hold fast to our Catholic faith, why is it so hard to recognize that a fiancee who is not of our faith is not ready to partake of our communion? She is not a bad person or inferior but rather loved greatly by God. But until she is ready to fully enter into the unity of Catholicism, it’s hypocritical and spiritually dangerous for her to take the Blessed Host.

It’s like saying that Ted Kennedy and Jesse Jackson should be able to speak at the Republican Convention? HUH? lol

Nothing outrages me more than protestants who go to a Catholic Mass and take communion and Catholics who do likewise with protestants. It’s an outrage and highly offensive. I have visited other churches and never would I presume to take communion with a group that is divergent to my beliefs. What’s even worse is that there are Roman Catholic priests, thankfully few, who sell out the Church’s unity and give communion to non-Catholics regularly.

 

[TheGreenO]

Could be we are not serving our own self-interest but that we honestly believe that your interpretation is wrong. Astounding thought? We don’t take lightly the eucharist either. We recognize that not all are welcome at your table. Funny, just the opposite of Jesus who called a lot of sinners to his table and fed them well. I wonder if there is a lesson in there somewhere. And the idea that people are converting to the roman Church? Well, I don’t know, undoubtedly some are, but a ton are leaving in every region of the world so I read.

I was referring to the parable of the wedding feast, all were invited off the street but those who were not dressed appropriately were thrown out. “Where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth”

Once again its not MY interpretation, it is what has been set down through 2,000 years of Tradition and Holy Scripture. That is the beauty of Catholicism, I don’t have to be a Scripture Scholar or a Lawyer of Canon Law. I can be Joe Shmoe and when I have questions there is an innumerable amount of resources I can tap into. I still have a duty to understand as much as possible, but I don’t have to reinvent the wheel. The Magisterium teaches and directs me. And of course, the Holy Spirit leads the Church “into all truth”. There is so much freedom in knowing that I don’t have to try to interpret scripture on my own. No sense of failure to understand the purpose of the Church and meaning of Scripture. It has been set for me by others ancient and new. Of course is good to challenge and question, but never to schism.

Others have changed what they believe starting about 500 years ago, not Catholics. Yes some things have been better defined, and disciplines changed but doctrine and dogma have remained.

When we receive communion in the Catholic Church we are not just saying we believe in the Real Presence, but in the whole of her teachings. Mary, saints, Trinity, papacy, resurrection of the body, forgiveness of sins, one baptism, one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church, etc…

Being Catholic is being truly free.
I am free to love the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit fully and completely. I am truly free!

 

[emeraldcoast]

This is not relevant.

Why not?? Someone posted what the CC teaches as to whom they welcome to the Lord’s Table and I posted what my church teaches. These are pretty big difference to Jesus’ invitation to share in the Eucharist.

God Bless!

 

[Peter_J]

Well, for Catholics, only those who are in communion with us can receive communion with us and vice versa.

Alrightee then.



Please just read my earlier posts. (I won’t repeat it, for fear that my fairy godmother would come along and turn me into a record player.)