Communion at a non Catholic Church?

[fenderstrokes]

My wife and I attended a funeral at an Episcopal church. At the time, my wife and I weren’t sure what to do, but the “priest” said that anyone worthy to recieve communion may share this sacrament with our friend who passed on. We took communion…is this a mortal sin? Do we need to go to confession?

Thanks for the help.

 

[twiztedseraph]

fenderstrokes:

My wife and I attended a funeral at an Episcopal church. At the time, my wife and I weren’t sure what to do, but the “priest” said that anyone worthy to recieve communion may share this sacrament with our friend who passed on. We took communion…is this a mortal sin? Do we need to go to confession?

Thanks for the help.

The action was a grave matter, which if combined with full knowledge and consent would have made it a mortal sin. However apparently you did not know, so I suppose it isn’t. However the confession of venial sins is encouraged, so why not go to confession anyway? (Pssst, then buy your wife flowers after)…

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

fenderstrokes:

My wife and I attended a funeral at an Episcopal church. At the time, my wife and I weren’t sure what to do, but the “priest” said that anyone worthy to recieve communion may share this sacrament with our friend who passed on. We took communion…is this a mortal sin? Do we need to go to confession?

Thanks for the help.

It would not meet the requirements of a Mortal sin since you did not know that the Catholic Church prohibits reception invalid communion in a protestant service.

 

[Blandina]

I’m sorry I didn’t save the article. But did I read in a recent issue of Liquorian Magazine that Pope John-Paul II determined that it was acceptable for Catholics to satisfy their obligations relating to Mass in an Eastern Orthodox Church?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Blandina:

I’m sorry I didn’t save the article. But did I read in a recent issue of Liquorian Magazine that Pope John-Paul II determined that it was acceptable for Catholics to satisfy their obligations relating to Mass in an Eastern Orthodox Church?

Yes as long as there are no alternatives. (Latin or Eastern Catholic) Rome allows you to receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church, but the Orthodox won’t allow you to.

 

[stbruno]

If you are wondering what commandment it is a sin against…It’s the first one. The only Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist is in the Catholic church…Latin rite and Eastern rite.

 

[Reformed_Rob]

fenderstrokes:

My wife and I attended a funeral at an Episcopal church. At the time, my wife and I weren’t sure what to do, but the “priest” said that anyone worthy to recieve communion may share this sacrament with our friend who passed on. We took communion…is this a mortal sin? Do we need to go to confession?

Thanks for the help.

From what you said, your lack of knowing, but doing it anyways, would make me lean towards suggesting you consider confessing it. The reason being, according to a primer on Confession I read, well, I’ll just quote it:

1. The Doubtful Conscience
   ** Oftentimes persons find themselves in a state of uncertainty as to whether or not an act they intend to perform is a sin. It is a moral principle that one is not permitted to act when in a state of real doubt. St. Paul says, “For all that is not of faith is sin.” (Rom. 14:23). If one is uncertain whether a particular act is sinful or not, it is sinful to perform such an act.** **The reason is that such a person thereby shows that he is just as ready to do wrong as to do right. **Some degree of moral certainty—that is to say, such as would be considered sufficient by an ordinarily prudent person—is necessary.

As an example, let us take a doubt which might arise regarding the fast and abstinence on the vigil of a feast. (*This example is based on pre-1960 Church laws of fast and abstinence. —Publisher, 2000) The person knows that the vigils of certain great feasts are days of fast and abstinence from meat, but the question arises in his mind whether or not the day before the Feast of the Ascension is such a day. If he ate meat on that day, assuming that the day was not a day of fast and abstinence, but he had taken no pains to find out for certain, he would sin thereby, even though fast and abstinence were not actually prescribed by the Church. His duty is to make sure, if he can, whether or not it is a day of fast and abstinence, and to act accordingly. This he could ordinarily do by inquiry or by referring to a Catholic calendar, though circumstances might arise where it would be impossible at the time to resolve the doubt. In this latter case, he should refrain from eating meat.

That’s from the book “Confession, It’s Fruitful Practice” by the Benedectine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

 I understand, you were very much concerned about not doing the wrong thing, but still, I think the "doubtful" situation applies to some extent.

It’s understandable, you’re gonna run into these times when, truthfully, it’s either black or white, right or wrong, but our lack of knowledge gives a shade of grey to the situation. In which case, err on the side of caution, which may not always be the most convenient considering the situations you are sometimes in.

-Rob

 

[fenderstrokes]

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses. I’m coming back to the Church and I’m preparing for confession…so please pray for me…I need it.