Communion for everyone?

[marie0014]

Hi! I’m debating with a fallen away Catholic who says that one of the biggest problems he has with Catholicism is that we refuse the Eucharist to anyone who isn’t Catholic. Whether they believe it’s Jesus or not. He states that who are we to judge since God alone can judge and if it is the way to salvation, we should be distributing it to the masses. Is there a good answer to this?

 

[ohioszo]

I know a Protestant who asked the priest if she could receive holy communion, at the college parish, Thomas more, in 1970s, and she was able to do so. That girl became engaged, and, so she was blessed; probably never receiving HC after that. Following up, as a friend, I found that after college she broke her engagement by philandering with another man. Without the benefit of the whole package, confession was needed IOW. All of the sacraments are needed! So, one must become a Catholic in toto!

 

[Lampo]

Marie,

You should ask the person you are debating to join us here on CAF.

The guidelines for receiving Communion, which are issued by the U.S. bishops and published in many missalettes, explain, "We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21).

"Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law. . . . "

Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.

Another reason that many non-Catholics may not ordinarily receive Communion is for their own protection, since many reject the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Scripture warns that it is very dangerous for one not believing in the Real Presence to receive Communion: “For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died” (1 Cor. 11:29–30).

(taken from this excellent website: Link)

 

[marie0014]

Lambo,

Does this mean to say that we are not one body with Christians? You mentioned something about Corinthians. I always thought that “the body” meant all of Christ’s followers whether Catholic or not? Also thanks for your insight!!

 

[Barbkw]

Communion both means Eucharist and one body of catholic unity and belief . We recite the Creed for this reason.

Additionally, the Church determines catholic unity concerning the Magisterium, the Pope, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sacred Tradition of the Apostles, Sacred Scripture interpretation, abortion, contraception, euthanasia, embroyonic stem cell research, chastity, noncelibate same sex attraction, woman priests, holy orders, seven sacraments, reconciliation, works, grace, faith, and the communion of saints (and this list continues).

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

Hi! I’m debating with a fallen away Catholic who says that one of the biggest problems he has with Catholicism is that we refuse the Eucharist to anyone who isn’t Catholic. Whether they believe it’s Jesus or not. He states that who are we to judge since God alone can judge and if it is the way to salvation, we should be distributing it to the masses. Is there a good answer to this?

Ask them if they attended mass last sunday. If I, as a Catholic miss mass (without good reason), I am in mortal sin and must go to confession before I can receive the Eucharist, otherwise I commit yet another mortal sin.

 

[Lampo]

Lambo,

Does this mean to say that we are not one body with Christians? You mentioned something about Corinthians. I always thought that “the body” meant all of Christ’s followers whether Catholic or not? Also thanks for your insight!!

My pleasure. All baptized Christians make up the one body of Christ, the Church. However, non-Catholic Christians are not fully united with that Church.

From the Catechism:

771 “The one mediator, Christ, established and ever sustains here on earth his holy Church, the community of faith, hope, and charity, as a visible organization through which he communicates truth and grace to all men.” The Church is at the same time:

• a "society structured with hierarchical organs and the mystical body of Christ;

• the visible society and the spiritual community;

• the earthly Church and the Church endowed with heavenly riches."

These dimensions together constitute “one complex reality which comes together from a human and a divine element”:

The Church is essentially both human and divine, visible but endowed with invisible realities, zealous in action and dedicated to contemplation, present in the world, but as a pilgrim, so constituted that in her the human is directed toward and subordinated to the divine, the visible to the invisible, action to contemplation, and this present world to that city yet to come, the object of our quest.

O humility! O sublimity! Both tabernacle of cedar and sanctuary of God; earthly dwelling and celestial palace; house of clay and royal hall; body of death and temple of light; and at last both object of scorn to the proud and bride of Christ! She is black but beautiful, O daughters of Jerusalem, for even if the labor and pain of her long exile may have discolored her, yet heaven's beauty has adorned her.

817 In fact, “in this one and only Church of God from its very beginnings there arose certain rifts, which the Apostle strongly censures as damnable. But in subsequent centuries much more serious dissensions appeared and large communities became separated from full communion with the Catholic Church - for which, often enough, men of both sides were to blame.” 269 The ruptures that wound the unity of Christ’s Body - here we must distinguish heresy, apostasy, and schism 270 - do not occur without human sin:

Where there are sins, there are also divisions, schisms, heresies, and disputes. Where there is virtue, however, there also are harmony and unity, from which arise the one heart and one soul of all believers. 271

818 “However, one cannot charge with the sin of the separation those who at present are born into these communities [that resulted from such separation] and in them are brought up in the faith of Christ, and the Catholic Church accepts them with respect and affection as brothers … All who have been justified by faith in Baptism are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers in the Lord by the children of the Catholic Church.” 272

819 “Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth” 273 are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: “the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.” 274 Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, 275 and are in themselves calls to “Catholic unity.” 276

CCC

 

[Mark01]

I’ve gotten into some pretty heated discussions with my wife over this. She is Baptist but goes with me to Mass and she just can’t grasp the unity concept. So much of the Protestant faith centers around what “feels” right with no regard for Christian Tradition or history so it can be difficult to have any type of theological discussion without bringing one’s emotions into play.

As Catholics we should pray earnestly for the unity of the Christian faith.

 

[Lampo]

I’ve gotten into some pretty heated discussions with my wife over this. She is Baptist but goes with me to Mass and she just can’t grasp the unity concept. So much of the Protestant faith centers around what “feels” right with no regard for Christian Tradition or history so it can be difficult to have any type of theological discussion without bringing one’s emotions into play.

As Catholics we should pray earnestly for the unity of the Christian faith.

A lot of people get feelings and truth mixed up.

 

[adrift]

As Catholics we should pray earnestly for the unity of the Christian faith.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

The answer is clearly in scripture and Lampo already cited it (1 Cor. 11:29-30). When we “eat and drink” we must DISCERN THE BODY or else bad things can happen. When the Eucharist is received, one must agree, along with the whole Church, that they are receiving the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. Non-Catholics (excluding Orthodox) have not discerned this or else they would be Catholic! Well, maybe not all, but when one truly believes in the Eucharist, it is very difficult to be non Catholic/Orthodox. Anyway it is for their own sake that they are excluded from receiving the Eucharist lest the be struck with illness, death, etc-- as the Scripture says is possible.

Additionally, when we participate in the liturgy of the Eucharist we are making a public profession of our faith. Non-Catholics who believe that the Eucharist is merely a symbol of Christ would be professing a lie, if they received. Again, it is for their own sake, that the Church prevents their receiving, because they a prevented from making that false profession of faith.

 

[Erich]

Communion both means Eucharist and one body of catholic unity and belief . We recite the Creed for this reason.

Additionally, the Church determines catholic unity concerning the Magisterium, the Pope, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sacred Tradition of the Apostles, Sacred Scripture interpretation, abortion, contraception, euthanasia, embroyonic stem cell research, chastity, noncelibate same sex attraction, woman priests, holy orders, seven sacraments, reconciliation, works, grace, faith, and the communion of saints (and this list continues).

Does the non-Catholic wishing to receive the Eucharist believe (or at least accept) everything the Catholic Church teaches about these issues?

If not, why would (s)he want to present himself as if (s)he does?

If so, why isn’t (s)he Catholic?

 

[marie0014]

Great answers! Sorry, but I’m going to play devils advocate here. So by the Catholic Church (well technically the priest) who refuses communion, doesnt that infringe upon our free will to choose whether to receive communion or not?

Also, if it were a protestant who was baptized and believed that it was Jesus’ body and blood and had “contemplated” the concept. Would this mean they still couldn’t receive even if they accept the teachings? Why or why not?

 

[Lampo]

So by the Catholic Church (well technically the priest) who refuses communion, doesnt that infringe upon our free will to choose whether to receive communion or not?

No it doesn’t. The non-Catholic or even a Catholic that has mortal sin on his/her soul still could choose (wrongly) to receive communion. Typically, the priest or extraordinary minister does not know in either circumstance. Free will is still in place.

Also, if it were a protestant who was baptized and believed that it was Jesus’ body and blood and had “contemplated” the concept. Would this mean they still couldn’t receive even if they accept the teachings? Why or why not?

They could receive if they went through the formal RCIA process or if the person was on their death bed. Otherwise, no.

Possible exceptions

However, there are circumstances when non-Catholics may receive Communion from a Catholic priest. This is especially the case when it comes to Eastern Orthodox Christians, who share the same faith concerning the nature of the sacraments:

“Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the oriental churches which do not have full Communion with the Catholic Church, if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed. This holds also for members of other churches, which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition as the oriental churches as far as these sacraments are concerned” (CIC 844 § 3).

Christians in these churches should, of course, respect their own church’s guidelines regarding when it would be permissible for them to receive Communion in a Catholic church.

The circumstances in which Protestants are permitted to receive Communion are more limited, though it is still possible for them to do so under certain specifically defined circumstances.

Canon law explains the parameters: “If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full Communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed” (CIC 844 § 4).

It is important to remember that, under the rubrics specified above, even in those rare circumstances when non-Catholics are able to receive Communion, the same requirements apply to them as to Catholics.

 

[Barbkw]

The Catholic Church offers to all people of free will the option to attend and be received into full Communion with the Church under the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

 

[ohioszo]

Catholic Digest had good articles about the Eucharist the Real Presence. December 2010 issue. Find a copy for your friend. A story in it told of a king who went to Rome and he had a mistress. The Priest at the Mass in Rome advised him not to receive Holy Communion, if he was going to continue to commit adultery. He did then receive Holy Communion, with the intention of continuing his illicit relationship, and, he, and those with him 'cept those who wouldn’t receive, were struck down with a fatal illness, on their return to their country. Sorry for the vagueness. Been there, done that! History! As I said, you can’t accept just one piece of the Faith. It is tough mentioning real life stories, but, I think that I am seeing a family, who believes that Priests should marry, leave the catholic faith for married priests group, who offer Masses. One commits themselves to the Catholic Church, to it’s truths. If you disagree with these truths, you might find yourself elsewhere. Truly, there are people who are considered catholic, but who say that they do not believe some truth of the faith, but, by the grace of God, do remain … Etc.

 

[Lampo]

The Catholic Church offers to all people of free will the option to attend and be received into full Communion with the Church under the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA).

Is this true in every circumstance? For instance, my wife was going through RCIA two years ago. She was told that in order to go any further, she would need to get an annulment from her previous marriage. What if the annulment isn’t granted? How could she come into the Church?

 

[CalCatholic]

The practice of giving the Eucharist only to those who believe what we believe (other Catholics) is a very ancient practice. Justin Martyr an early Church Father from approx. 150 A.D. wrote:** “And this food is called among us Eukaristia [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is living as Christ has enjoined.”**

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

Is this true in every circumstance? For instance, my wife was going through RCIA two years ago. She was told that in order to go any further, she would need to get an annulment from her previous marriage. What if the annulment isn’t granted? How could she come into the Church?

She should talk to a priest who is knowledgeable in the subject. I believe that she could be received into the Church, ie. be baptized, but that she would not be able to receive the Eucharist. This might not be correct, as I am not an expert, but when I was going through a similar situation, I thought that the nun who was instructing me said you can always enter the Church. However, the Church must assume that her first marriage is valid until it has reviewed the case. That is what the annulment process is about. If she is validly married to another, then of course, her relationship with you would be adultery in the eyes of the Church. Not a pretty thought, but that is the reality of marriage. It is absolutely forever if it was valid from the beginning. In this day and age though, many people do not enter into marriage with the proper knowledge and thus their marriage is not valid from the beginning. I hope your wife pursued the annulment.

PS. FYI, I’m not sure if your wife or her former husband were baptized before or during the marriage. If one or both was not baptized before or during the marriage, the process is A LOT easier.