Communion at a Protestant church

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susanbherald

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Is it okay to take communion at a Protestant Church (bread and cups of grape juice) not for the purpose of receiving communion, and knowing why it’s not a substitute or anything, but eating it to be polite, just as bread and juice, nothing more
 
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No, I believe it’s a sin to take communion anywhere else if you’ve already had your first communion in the Catholic Church.
 
No, a Catholic cannot receive communion at a Protestant church…
 
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As others have said, it is not ok. Whether you privately don’t intend for it to signify anything, it is by its nature a public act that does signify something–something that isn’t true.
 
They are correct, you may attend being ecumenical but taking their version of the eucharist is a very grave sin.

You may also attend their events if need be.

These include:
  • Celebrate recovery
  • Divorcecare
  • Festivals
 
I’m going to a Protestant Church for an assignment for my confirmation class. Is that ok? What should I do and not do?
 
That is perfectly fine. My heart beats with happiness to know we are receiving another confirmed catholic in the church. You will soon be a soldier of Christ.

Be ecumenical, meaning, respect the common brotherhood/sisterhood of fellow Christians.
  • Do not: ignore your teachings and accept their reasoning to disown your knowledge if presented (but will unlikely occur)
  • Do not: accept their version of holy communion
Otherwise, you should be just fine. God be with you!
 
First off your bread and cup of grape juice is insulting. Secondly depending on where you go there are different rules for everyone. The LCMS we practice what’s called close communion. Only confirmed members of the LCMS, LCC and AALC May take communion.
 
Your Catholic confirmation class has asked you to go to a Protestant Church service? And this class didn’t offer instruction about not receiving communion? That is worrisome.
 
They said we had to go to an “other faith” thing, we get information later but I’m doing it early. I’m sure they will address it
 
I’m talking about totally metaphor communion, not Protestants that have consubstantiation. The Protestants I’m talking about are non denominational and think of communion as just a reanactment of the last supper, nothing more
 
susanbherald said:
I’m talking about totally metaphor communion, not Protestants that have consubstantiation. The Protestants I’m talking about are non denominational and think of communion as just a reanactment of the last supper, nothing more
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I’m not aware of any communion that teaches consubstantiation. Lutherans certainly do not.
 
Amen, but the doctrine of the real presence, the fact that we receive His true body and blood, does not mean there is not symbolism. John 6 has lots of symbolism.
But the point of my comment is that it isn’t just about the Eucharist. Receiving together implies agreement on doctrine broadly.
 
No, it is not. If you do, it’s like saying you agree with their beliefs and teachings.
 
Just an FYI about Protestant churches from a current Protestant: no one will likely be insulted if you don’t take communion. Actually, you may not even be there when they have communion, as many churches only have it every 4-5 weeks. Some are more frequent, but many I’ve noticed are on a 4-5 week spacing for communion.

In any case, if you are there while communion is happening, no one will likely be insulted if you abstain. Especially if they notice you are a visitor. I personally do not take communion when I am at another church because I am not always sure where the church stands on who can take it. Some churches have open communion (anyone can take), and some have closed communion (only people from that church, denomination, who are baptized, etc. can take). So even many Protestants abstain from communion when they visit other churches as a matter of prudence.

Just stay seated (if you move to get communion), pass the tray to the next person (if you notice the trays containing the crackers and little cups of juice are being passed down the rows), or politely shake your head when an usher comes to you.

So don’t worry. Stay faithful to what the CC teaches. No one will judge you or be insulted for not taking communion. 🙂
 
Don’t do it. It’s a grave sin, whether the church goers believe its consecrated host or not.
They will likely understand why you didn’t take it, if they’re going to be offended, then that’s their own problem.
 
susanbherald said:
Is it okay to take communion at a Protestant Church (bread and cups of grape juice) not for the purpose of receiving communion, and knowing why it’s not a substitute or anything, but eating it to be polite, just as bread and juice, nothing more
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No, it is not. There have been a number of priests who have discussed this very question on the Catholic Answers Live as well as other Catholic Radio programs.

Part of the reason it’s called “communion” is because that word means that we all agree with the beliefs of that community.

Here is one post from a Catholic Priest regarding this very question:


Here’s another answer regarding Anglican services: Can I Receive Protestant Communion? | Catholic Answers

God Bless
 
JasonLovesJesus1 said:
A catholic is not permitted to receive eucharist from a protestant church.

The only exception is if the catholic church has declared that particular church has a valid sacramental communion.

For example I have attended greek orthodox churches and have received communion.

@phil19034
“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).”
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Correct. Catholic may receive communion in one of those churches. But we are also supposed to refrain from doing so unless we can’t receive at a Catholic Church. For example: we live in Russia and the Catholic Church is hundreds or thousands of miles away. We really should not receive when simply visiting one Sunday because most of these other Churches do not want us to receive - esp the Orthodox.

God bless.
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JasonLovesJesus1 said:
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phil19034:
Correct. Catholic may receive communion in one of those churches. But we are also supposed to refrain from doing so unless we can’t receive at a Catholic Church. For example: we live in Russia and the Catholic Church is hundreds or thousands of miles away. We really should not receive when simply visiting one Sunday because most of these other Churches do not want us to receive - esp the Orthodox.

God bless.
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Right my apologies.

I was on a greek island with no catholic church and received communion at the greek orthodox church.

@phil19034 Was I in error?
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Sinfully, no, you were not sinfully in error.

But you were most likely “politically” in error. (used that word for a lack of any other word)
 
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