Communion at Protestant churches

[O.S.Luke]

I believe that is your responsibility to be gatekeeper, at least according to this passage:

1 Cor 11
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

That responsibility is on the one who has not examined himself, not the one who serves. At least, according to the scripture you just quoted.

 

[Justy90]

I have often heard that Protestants should not receive holy Communion at Catholic Mass, and totaly agree that they should not…But is it permissable for us Catholics to participate in Protestant communion services???

Why shouldn’t others be allowed to receive the Body Blood Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ at a Catholic mass? Didn’t Christ die once for all sins? This is what Scripture says.

 

[Harpazo]

That responsibility is on the one who has not examined himself, not the one who serves. At least, according to the scripture you just quoted.

The Scripture does suggest that, I agree. But in practice throughout the centuries both parties were responsible. Bishops and priests, would not commune heretics, for example.

In Orthodoxy it is the responsibility of the guardian of the Sacrament and the one receiving it which includes confession, prayer and fasting. An Orthodox priest will not give the Eucharist to someone and just hope for the best. In the Slavic tradition, the priest will not commune someone unless they have confessed within the past week.

I wouldn’t want to have to explain to Christ that I gave someone communion because I thought it was the right thing to do. That’s just my 2 cents.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[O.S.Luke]

The Scripture does suggest that, I agree. But in practice throughout the centuries both parties were responsible. Bishops and priests, would not commune heretics, for example.

In Orthodoxy it is the responsibility of the guardian of the Sacrament and the one receiving it which includes confession, prayer and fasting. An Orthodox priest will not give the Eucharist to someone and just hope for the best. In the Slavic tradition, the priest will not commune someone unless they have confessed within the past week.

I wouldn’t want to have to explain to Christ that I gave someone communion because I thought it was the right thing to do. That’s just my 2 cents.

In Christ,
Andrew

Good point Andrew. I wouldn’t commune a heretic or someone that was blatantly uncharitable or egregiously sinful in their life. However, if one who is baptized comes forward after repentance, confession, and pardon, I will always assume it was genuine and commune them. Ultimately, God knows their sincerity, not me. That’s all the “gatekeeping” I dare do - to do more seems to me to assume the role of Christ - and I am at best a priest and servant in my role, not arbiter.

 

[4Squarebaby]

The Scripture does suggest that, I agree. But in practice throughout the centuries both parties were responsible. Bishops and priests, would not commune heretics, for example.

In Orthodoxy it is the responsibility of the guardian of the Sacrament and the one receiving it which includes confession, prayer and fasting. An Orthodox priest will not give the Eucharist to someone and just hope for the best. In the Slavic tradition, the priest will not commune someone unless they have confessed within the past week.

I wouldn’t want to have to explain to Christ that I gave someone communion because I thought it was the right thing to do. That’s just my 2 cents.

In Christ,
Andrew

Are you saying that the Priest doesn’t play don’t ask don’t tell about someone going to confession but has an actual attendance list and refuses parisioners as they step forward? Are travelers who made it to their church refused because the Priest doesn’t know for a fact that someone was baptized with the proper words by someone with valid succession, went to confession, etc before that Mass?

 

[Justy90]

I believe that is your responsibility to be gatekeeper, at least according to this passage:

1 Cor 11
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.

This has to do with St. Paul preaching to the Corinthians who were very divided in how they presented their gifts of food for the meal. Those who had much brought much and did not share with others who didn’t have as much. Paul was rebuking this as an unacceptable practice before God. This has nothing to do with having to be in good graces with the Catholic church to receive communion.

 

[Harpazo]

Good point Andrew. I wouldn’t commune a heretic or someone that was blatantly uncharitable or egregiously sinful in their life. However, if one who is baptized comes forward after repentance, confession, and pardon, I will always assume it was genuine and commune them. Ultimately, God knows their sincerity, not me. That’s all the “gatekeeping” I dare do - to do more seems to me to assume the role of Christ - and I am at best a priest and servant in my role, not arbiter.

That’s all one can really do, in my opinion!

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[jmcrae]

Are you saying that the Priest doesn’t play don’t ask don’t tell about someone going to confession but has an actual attendance list and refuses parisioners as they step forward? Are travelers who made it to their church refused because the Priest doesn’t know for a fact that someone was baptized with the proper words by someone with valid succession, went to confession, etc before that Mass?

There are some smaller churches (the Russian Orthodox chapel in my city, for example) where the priest does not give Holy Communion to anyone who did not approach him before Mass for Confession and also for specific permission to receive Holy Communion.

In a large parish, the priest presumes on the good will of the people, and if he doesn’t know them, he assumes they are Catholics in good standing. I have seen people that I knew to be Protestants going forward for Holy Communion, and they know they will get away with it because the priest doesn’t know them. But they still have to live with themselves and with God. I should think that after a while, it would start to oppress them, to be pretending to be someone they are not, all the time.

 

[Harpazo]

There are some smaller churches (the Russian Orthodox chapel in my city, for example) where the priest does not give Holy Communion to anyone who did not approach him before Mass for Confession and also for specific permission to receive Holy Communion.

In a large parish, the priest presumes on the good will of the people, and if he doesn’t know them, he assumes they are Catholics in good standing. I have seen people that I knew to be Protestants going forward for Holy Communion, and they know they will get away with it because the priest doesn’t know them. But they still have to live with themselves and with God. I should think that after a while, it would start to oppress them, to be pretending to be someone they are not, all the time.

I saw this, too in my time in the RCC. Do you think it would be a good idea to downsize the parishes to where the priest does know everyone? Or at the very least for him to make an announcement explicitly saying that “if you are not Catholic or have not been to confession in the past (insert period of time), then do not approach”?

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[jmcrae]

I saw this, too in my time in the RCC. Do you think it would be a good idea to downsize the parishes to where the priest does know everyone? Or at the very least for him to make an announcement explicitly saying that “if you are not Catholic or have not been to confession in the past (insert period of time), then do not approach”?

In Christ,
Andrew

I think a short announcement, or something in the pews explaining who can receive Holy Communion. The one in the cover page of the Breaking Bread missal is a good one, but I don’t know if it is very widely read.

In the circumstances of the modern world, with a shortage of priests and a poor economy, we are going to be in a situation where there is one priest for every 5,000 families for quite a long time, so while making the parishes smaller could certainly be a long-term goal, I don’t think it’s realistic in the short term.

 

[Godscre]

There are some smaller churches (the Russian Orthodox chapel in my city, for example) where the priest does not give Holy Communion to anyone who did not approach him before Mass for Confession and also for specific permission to receive Holy Communion.

In a large parish, the priest presumes on the good will of the people, and if he doesn’t know them, he assumes they are Catholics in good standing. I have seen people that I knew to be Protestants going forward for Holy Communion, and they know they will get away with it because the priest doesn’t know them. But they still have to live with themselves and with God. I should think that after a while, it would start to oppress them, to be pretending to be someone they are not, all the time.

As a Protestant I was turned away from receiving Jesus in the eucharist because I was not Catholic. We are all going to have to answer to God for what we do. I wouldn’t want to turn anyone away from Jesus just because they did not believe all the doctrine that I did or said they did. I was a extraordinary minister (eucharistic minister) and have gone to individuals to receive communion (all Catholic). I personally think it is wrong to turn people away unless I know they are living a life that is other than living in the Kingdom of God where the greedy, etc. are living and only God knows who they are. I think many people will be saying, ‘But didn’t I _____’ and Jesus may say “I never knew you.” Don’t you think it’s time to not be legalistic in judging people?

 

[jmcrae]

As a Protestant I was turned away from receiving Jesus in the eucharist because I was not Catholic.

When I was Protestant I refrained from receiving Holy Communion out of respect for the fact that I was a guest in someone else’s house, and they had different rules than we had at my house.

We are all going to have to answer to God for what we do.

Yes, we are.

I would think that showing disrespect in someone else’s house by telling them what their rules ought to be, and lording it over them with my supposed “more enlightened” viewpoint would not be very pleasing to Mother Mary. I know my earthly mother would not be pleased with that kind of behaviour, for sure.

I wouldn’t want to turn anyone away from Jesus just because they did not believe all the doctrine that I did or said they did.

Luckily, it’s not up to you. All you have to do is follow the rule that is already in place. It’s not up for debate.

I was a extraordinary minister (eucharistic minister) and have gone to individuals to receive communion (all Catholic). I personally think it is wrong to turn people away unless I know they are living a life that is other than living in the Kingdom of God where the greedy, etc. are living and only God knows who they are. I think many people will be saying, ‘But didn’t I _____’ and Jesus may say “I never knew you.” Don’t you think it’s time to not be legalistic in judging people?

See, this is why priests should be the only ones distributing Holy Communion. As a lay person, you have no authority even to turn away people that you know for a fact are unrepentant mass murderers - you have to distribute Holy Communion to everyone who wants it.

Only a priest has the authority to turn anyone away, whether they are a vile sinner, or just of a different religion.

 

[O.S.Luke]

When I was Protestant I refrained from receiving Holy Communion out of respect for the fact that I was a guest in someone else’s house, and they had different rules than we had at my house.

I think this is where the disconnect occurs. In many traditions it is made clear that while the Eucharist is being celebrated in a Methodist/Anglican/Lutheran Church, it is not a Methodist/Anglican/Lutheran table, but the table of the Lord, and all the repentant baptized are welcome. Again, no one is worthy to gather up the crumbs under the table, yet God’s mercy and grace reconciles Him to us, and us to Him.

I understand where some traditions come from; to commune together suggests a unity that isn’t present. However, it seems folly to me to not use the sustaining means of grace Christ gave us to remember him and his sacrifice by and to embrace his presence. I guess that’s where our traditions will always disagree. For that, I am truly sorry.

 

[Godscre]

I think a short announcement, or something in the pews explaining who can receive Holy Communion. The one in the cover page of the Breaking Bread missal is a good one, but I don’t know if it is very widely read.

In the circumstances of the modern world, with a shortage of priests and a poor economy, we are going to be in a situation where there is one priest for every 5,000 families for quite a long time, so while making the parishes smaller could certainly be a long-term goal, I don’t think it’s realistic in the short term.

From the past experiences, how do we know that Bishops aren’t protecting Priests who are abusing children? How can they turn others away when they allowed Priests to take communion? If it wasn’t for the lay people to bring this evil to light, it would probably still be going on. That’s why we are in a spiritual crisis now. Who can we trust?

 

[jmcrae]

From the past experiences, how do we know that Bishops aren’t protecting Priests who are abusing children? How can they turn others away when they allowed Priests to take communion? If it wasn’t for the lay people to bring this evil to light, it would probably still be going on. That’s why we are in a spiritual crisis now. Who can we trust?

This has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand. Priests have the same duty to refrain from receiving Holy Communion when they are in mortal sin as the rest of us. And if they have gone to Confession and been absolved of their sins, then they have the same right to receive as the rest of us do.

As to the rest of it, if you know that a crime is being committed, you don’t call the Bishop, nor your brother-in-law, nor Joe Blow the Eskimo - you call the police. Bishops are not policemen.

 

[Godscre]

The Bishops should have called the police also.
I think people are wiser now who to report abuse to.

 

[jmcrae]

The Bishops should have called the police also.

The Bishop can only report that so-and-so said this about so-and-so. He can’t act as a first-hand witness to something he didn’t actually see happen - neither can anyone else.

I think people are wiser now who to report abuse to.

Let’s hope so!!

 

[viper78912]

This has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand. Priests have the same duty to refrain from receiving Holy Communion when they are in mortal sin as the rest of us. And if they have gone to Confession and been absolved of their sins, then they have the same right to receive as the rest of us do.

As to the rest of it, if you know that a crime is being committed, you don’t call the Bishop, nor your brother-in-law, nor Joe Blow the Eskimo - you call the police. Bishops are not policemen.

A priest, when celebrating Holy Mass, is ipso facto absolved of all his sins,’operatis operandi’.
The New American Bible notes clarify re. Matthew 16:18 –“the keys to the kingdom of heaven: the image of the keys is probably drawn from (Isaiah 22:22-25), where Eliakim, who succeeds Shebnah as master of the palace, is given the key to the hose of David,” which he authoritatively “opens” and” shuts” (Isaiah.22:22).

That the Keys are those to the kingdom of heaven show an intimate connection between, but not an identification of the church and the kingdom of heaven.
When we turn to God and repent, God Forgives us.

 

[Lutheranteach]

There are multiple answers to this:

In many of the mainstream protestant churches the clergy there would have no issue whatsoever with a Catholic taking communion. They may ask do you believe this is (or in some cases represents) the body and blood of Christ shed for your sins. As a Catholic you probably would. In some cases the thoughts on communion are very nearly identical. The Catholic Church teaches transubstantiation and the Lutheran Church teaches Consubstantion. Both believe that the true body and blood is present. The Lutherans believe those things co-exist with the actual bread and wine that our senses perceive

 

[jmcrae]

There are multiple answers to this:

In many of the mainstream protestant churches the clergy there would have no issue whatsoever with a Catholic taking communion.

Yes, we are fully aware of that. The Church’s teaching that we are not to receive Protestant communion has nothing to do with Protestant permission to violate our beliefs.

Both believe that the true body and blood is present. The Lutherans believe those things co-exist with the actual bread and wine that our senses perceive

These two beliefs may seem “nearly identical” to you, but to Catholics, there is a world of difference between receiving Jesus “with” bread and wine (as if Jesus were a kind of cheese) and receiving Jesus alone, under the appearances of bread and wine.