Closed/Close Communion

[Phil_Marinus]

Yes, you have. All it means is that only Catholics are permitted to receive Communion at Catholic churches.

Thanks for that.....

 

[Jeff77]

You mean like the Roman Catholic blessing?

My pastor does this as well. He says, “Receive the sign of the cross,” as he traces a cross on their forehead. I don’t know if that’s exactly how a Catholic priest would do it.

 

[Jeff77]

]

Our pastors have a problem with WELS position on the Office of the Ministry, and Receptionism.

I wasn’t aware of a difference in the Office of the Ministry. What was different?

 

[Jeff77]

I’ve never been in an LCMS church where a WELS member was turned away.

You may be right there… I think deep down, most pastors sympathize with the plightt of the WELS member, who’s ideas on the sacrament are exactly the same, not being able to share the Holy Eucharist and Chalice of our Lord.

 

[ConstantineTG]

My pastor does this as well. He says, “Receive the sign of the cross,” as he traces a cross on their forehead. I don’t know if that’s exactly how a Catholic priest would do it.

I don’t exactly know what he says as a blessing, but he makes the sign of the cross in front of the person.

In Orthodoxy the chalice is placed on top of the person’s head. But I’ve heard some people say that is only done for Orthodox who can’t receive for one reason or another, not just for anyone who is not Orthodox. Because the chalice, which is sacred, is touched on the person. I mean, in the Orthodox Church only the clergy may touch the Sacred Vessels. So it is a big deal if it is touched by non-Orthodox.

 

[Jeff77]

I don’t exactly know what he says as a blessing, but he makes the sign of the cross in front of the person.

In Orthodoxy the chalice is placed on top of the person’s head. But I’ve heard some people say that is only done for Orthodox who can’t receive for one reason or another, not just for anyone who is not Orthodox. Because the chalice, which is sacred, is touched on the person. I mean, in the Orthodox Church only the clergy may touch the Sacred Vessels. So it is a big deal if it is touched by non-Orthodox.

I can imagine. Only the pastor handles the Chalice at our church, as well.

 

[Nine_Two]

This is where they approach, they bow down, and the Chalice is placed on their heads, right?

Yes.

 

[Nine_Two]

I don’t exactly know what he says as a blessing, but he makes the sign of the cross in front of the person.

In Orthodoxy the chalice is placed on top of the person’s head. But I’ve heard some people say that is only done for Orthodox who can’t receive for one reason or another, not just for anyone who is not Orthodox. Because the chalice, which is sacred, is touched on the person. I mean, in the Orthodox Church only the clergy may touch the Sacred Vessels. So it is a big deal if it is touched by non-Orthodox.

I never went for the blessing before I was Christmated, so I don’t know if it is done differently whether one is Orthodox or not.

 

[steido01]

LCMS Pastors also have some degree of pastoral discretion when allowing visitors to the communion rail.

While this is usually reserved for emergency circumstances (military chaplains, imminent death of a non-Lutheran who professes the Real Presence, etc.), I do know of several situations where LCMS pastors regularly allow a non-Lutheran individual to commune. It is typically because one spouse is -for whatever reason- a non-practicing Catholic/Anglican/Orthodox and the pastor is simply serving as their ‘acting pastor’ during the time that the non-Lutheran is unable to commune at their own church. Each situation has its own unique circumstances and must be weighed individually, but many pastors will make exceptions so long as the communicant believes in the Real Presence.

Just to be clear, this is not the norm in the LCMS, but it is important to note that our clergy are permitted to make these pastoral decisions.