Catholic priest attending non-Catholic liturgies

[Episcopalian]

A few years ago, my partner and I had a retreat at a convent that was formerly an Anglo-Catholic convent but most of the sisters converted to Roman Catholic.

We attended Mass with them on Sunday and the nuns were very excited all weekend because they said they had a surprise for us for the Sunday liturgy. They ended up inviting their former Episcopalian priest to attend so we could receive Communion with the sisters.

During whole liturgy, the Episcopal priest sat with us in the chapel’s nave and during the start of the offertory he stepped away to the small side altar.

It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen: the Episcopal priest silently consecrated Communion in tandem with the Catholic priest who presided (at regular volume) at the main altar.

At the right time, my partner and I processed (?) to the side altar and received Communion while the nuns received from the main altar.

Anyway, long story short, has anyone ever experienced that in reverse: a Catholic priest attending a Protestant or non-Christian ceremony? Is it possible for priests to do that without having Eucharist of their own? If they do attend, do they go “incognito” and not wear the clerical collar?

 

[Bithynian]

a Catholic priest attending a Protestant or non-Christian ceremony?

Certainly. I attended the induction of a rector at an Anglo-Catholic (i.e. Anglican) parish about a decade or so ago, and in attendance was the rector of a nearby Catholic parish. He preached a sermon on that occasion. A Catholic bishop was also present, and I think it was Julian Porteous, who was then an auxiliary bishop of Sydney and is now Archbishop of Hobart. I distinctly remember him genuflecting before the tabernacle.

 

[OddBird]

Yep. I’m a Protestant minister, and one of my recent (pre-lockdown) services was attended by one of the Catholic priests of the sister parish.

He certainly didn’t come incognito. He was wearing his clerical shirt and collar, spent a time kneeling in prayer before the service began (we don’t have kneelers), and crossed himself at all the proper places (most of the congregation doesn’t).

He of course didn’t take part in the Eucharist.

He later told me he came because he wasn’t scheduled for the morning Mass and didn’t want to concelebrate or be a burden for the young priest who was officiating, but also didn’t feel like spending his Sunday morning alone at the rectory.

 

[1ke]

nyway, long story short, has anyone ever experienced that in reverse:

The questions you ask are not really the revers of this:

the Episcopal priest silently consecrated Communion in tandem with the Catholic priest who presided (at regular volume) at the main altar.

Just FYI, the above is definitely not permitted.

a Catholic priest attending a Protestant or non-Christian ceremony? Is it possible for priests to do that without having Eucharist of their own? If they do attend, do they go “incognito” and not wear the clerical collar?

Yes, a Catholic priest – or any Catholic-- may attend a non-Catholic ceremony. He may do so in his clerical dress, and I suppose he could do so without it. Any Catholic attending a non-Catholic ceremony would refrain from communion, and might need to refrain from other elements of the ceremony, depending on what it was.

There are norms for ecumenism. Doesn’t appear the nuns were following them. Not sure if the Catholic priest was aware of what was to transpire or not. He should also have known that wasn’t permitted.

 

[OurLadyofSorrows]

One of my parish priests is great friends with the female pastor of the Anglican (I think ) congregation. He is always trying to get ecumenical christmas carol join ups between us. He does get some really lovely musicians to entice everyone.