Communion for non-Catholics in the Catholic church

[Tantum_ergo]

Might one ask if the OP is equally offended at being denied the Eucharist at the local **Orthodox Church?

**If not, why not? Surely the Orthodox are Christians. . .

If yes. . .then in all justice to Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant, the OP should be complaining not of being ‘denied’ at the Catholic Mass, but at the thought of ‘closed communion’.

If it’s really about the latter, at least you’ll know that it isn’t a ‘snub’ aimed only by Catholics, but a carefully thought conclusion by two of the largest Christian groups on the planet. In fact, while Catholics would welcome Orthodox to communion, I do not believe that the Orthodox would permit Catholics in their communion. . .and I don’t see the Catholics bashing the Orthodox for such an ‘offense’. Perhaps that is because Catholics and Orthodox see that the Eucharist is far more than a ‘bargaining chip’ to be demanded as a ‘right’.

 

[elgar]

As others have noted, to receive the Holy Eucharist is more than “receiving communion.” In fact, the name alone should indicate why non-Catholics are not permitted to receive the Eucharist–their views are not in sync, or in *communion *with the Catholic Church.

There is another important reason, too. By denying the Eucharist to those not in communion, the Church is preventing non-Catholics from committing blasphemy, as noted by St. Paul in 1 Cornithians 11:17-28. In that passage of Paul’s letter, he warns his readers that partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ without accepting its full weight would lead in disaster (in fact, in the same passage, he notes that several people who had taken the Eucharist without proper discernment were ill or even dying).

So, please do not take it personally. I would invite you to contemplate more on what the Eucharist truly means for Catholics. We do not see it as a symbol. He is there, and we would do well not to share it with those who do not yet fully understand the mystery that is transubstantiation.

Okay, I understand why the Catholic Church basically practices closed Communion for reasons mentioned even though some here try and over-simplify. Some conservative Protestant groups–MO Synod Lutherans for one–also restrict for similar reasons. They actually believe in the real presence but differ on the “how and when.” Also the real presence goes away after the Service concludes. They also want to make sure you are in sync with them doctrinally.

Many Anglicans also believe in the real presence and have a reserved Sacrament that doesn’t revert back to elements.

The reason I don’t take Communion in the RC church is because I know the rules having been one. My impediment is not having made a private Confession with a Catholic priest. I just don’t understand how most Catholics think they are entitled to taking Communion considering there is no way those thousands could have confessed their grevious sins privately to a priest prior to taking. When I was a kid and when the rule was you needed to fast from midnight before, not everyone went up to receive. Cafeteria Catholicism is the rule of the day and seeing how many are at odds with the Church when it comes to such big issues such as abortion, gay marriage, divorce/remarriage, etc., they appear to be making it up as they go.

 

[Jars_of_Clay_1]

All are welcomed, but not all are chosen. All are welcomed, but not all choose to enter. It is not the fault of the Catholic Church that those who have chosen not to belong to it get miffed when they are not included in its sacraments.

What a bunch of baloney. Please don’t get me started started about the sacraments. I made my communion and confirmation in the 60’s & 70’s. I had NO IDEA what they were about. Do you want to know why? The nuns refused to talk to us public school kids because we didn’t go to the Catholic school. All the time dragged out of line by our hair saying - “Get in the back of the line where you belong - you’re too poor to stand with the rest of us.” Enough said or would you like to hear more? So tell me - what does one have to do to be chosen? WHAT? Tell me because I would love to hear it.

Let me just say this. I choose to not partake in Communion in the Catholic church BECAUSE all people (including me) are not welcomed to do so.

I take Communion at my church who welcomes all to the table.

 

[SteveVH]

The reason I don’t take Communion in the RC church is because I know the rules having been one. My impediment is not having made a private Confession with a Catholic priest. I just don’t understand how most Catholics think they are entitled to taking Communion considering there is no way those thousands could have confessed their grevious sins privately to a priest prior to taking. When I was a kid and when the rule was you needed to fast from midnight before, not everyone went up to receive. Cafeteria Catholicism is the rule of the day and seeing how many are at odds with the Church when it comes to such big issues such as abortion, gay marriage, divorce/remarriage, etc., they appear to be making it up as they go.

Most priests I know are begging for people to come to confession. As you stated, it is only necessary when one has committed grevious sin. I agree, there are probably many who receive the Eucharist when they shouldn’t, but that is between them and God. Sadly, many of those may not even be aware of the grevious sin in their lives or even what constitutes grevious sin. I applaud you for following the rules but would urge you to go to confession. There are abundant graces waiting for you there.

 

[jmcrae]

What a bunch of baloney. Please don’t get me started started about the sacraments. I made my communion and confirmation in the 60’s & 70’s. I had NO IDEA what they were about. Do you want to know why? The nuns refused to talk to us public school kids because we didn’t go to the Catholic school. All the time dragged out of line by our hair saying - “Get in the back of the line where you belong - you’re too poor to stand with the rest of us.” Enough said or would you like to hear more? So tell me - what does one have to do to be chosen? WHAT? Tell me because I would love to hear it.

First thing is, that nun was not doing her job right. Her job was to catechize all of the children, without making distinctions between them. I’m so sorry that she treated you like that - she was not exhibiting the behavior of a good Catholic. You should have been welcomed, and there should have been provisions made for you to receive your Religion classes in the parish church, at a time convenient for as many children as possible.

Secondly, there is not much required - simply to be a Catholic who is in the state of grace. Since you have already been initiated into the Catholic Church, one good Confession would bring you home.

Let me just say this. I choose to not partake in Communion in the Catholic church BECAUSE all people (including me) are not welcomed to do so.

And again, it’s not a “fellowship supper.” It’s an affirmation that you believe in all that the Church proclaims and teaches to be true.

We do in fact also have fellowship suppers, and you are more than welcome to partake of the meal that is served there.

 

[Celtic_Catholic]

I used to be Catholic and now I’m Protestant. When I attend a Catholic church for a function of any kind and Communion is involved - I don’t go up - and I’m not offended. If anything I feel sorry for them in that I believe the Lord frowns on excluding people from communion.** If I’m not welcomed in the Catholic church so be it,** that’s fine. I guarantee you there are no such exclusive clubs like that in heaven because ALL ARE WELCOMED AT HIS TABLE.

You are most certainly welcomed in the Catholic Church. Everybody is welcomed in church.

 

[Celtic_Catholic]

What a bunch of baloney. Please don’t get me started started about the sacraments. I made my communion and confirmation in the 60’s & 70’s. I had NO IDEA what they were about. Do you want to know why? The nuns refused to talk to us public school kids because we didn’t go to the Catholic school. All the time dragged out of line by our hair saying - “Get in the back of the line where you belong - you’re too poor to stand with the rest of us.” Enough said or would you like to hear more? So tell me - what does one have to do to be chosen? WHAT? Tell me because I would love to hear it.

Let me just say this. I choose to not partake in Communion in the Catholic church BECAUSE all people (including me) are not welcomed to do so.

I take Communion at my church who welcomes all to the table.

*I respect my Church in the greatest way. (I’m Catholic.) But I often wonder what Christ would say about certain things. Honestly, what would Christ, Himself, say about any Christian wanting to receive Him in Holy Communion? Would Christ, Himself, turn a non-Catholic away? I understand why the Church turns them away. But would Christ look a non-Catholic Christian in the eye and say, “no, you cannot receive me because you’re not Catholic”? Something to think about, isn’t it? *

 

[Tantum_ergo]

*I respect my Church in the greatest way. (I’m Catholic.) But I often wonder what Christ would say about certain things. Honestly, what would Christ, Himself, say about any Christian wanting to receive Him in Holy Communion? Would Christ, Himself, turn a non-Catholic away? I understand why the Church turns them away. But would Christ look a non-Catholic Christian in the eye and say, “no, you cannot receive me because you’re not Catholic”? Something to think about, isn’t it? *

With respect. . .not really. Because those Protestants are not ‘allowed because they aren’t Catholic’ --that’s an over-simplification which makes it appear that all the Church has to do is relax its ‘man-made’ rules and Do What Jesus Would Do. . .which apparently is some kind of inclusive, "no rules here, if you love Me that’s enough’. If we love Him, then we** obey Him**. . .and that is why the other part that you left out–the Catholics who ‘receive’ even though they should not because they are not in a state of grace= makes it clear that this is not about “ya gotta be Catholic”. And that, far from being a “made-up Catholic rule”, this is yet another case where Catholic teaching is simply telling the world what GOD has decided. GOD --through the Catholic Church. Not "the Catholic Church pretending to be God."

Rather it is, “you have to be obedient.to Him” (the one who gave us His Church to help, not hinder.) These are His rules; the Church is simply carrying out God’s wishes. Too many don’t want that; they want warm fuzzy feelings of being ‘better’, ‘kinder’, more "Christ-like’ than Christ Himself.

As a final note, I have a very strong suspicion (mind you, THIS part is simply my opinion) that if a Protestant such as the OP suddenly found herself in front of Jesus, that rather than ‘demanding’ we Catholics stop ‘offending’ her by 'barring her from the Eucharist", that she would look into the eyes of Jesus and would know, with her heart, soul, and mind, that she would need to humble herself and accept His teaching rather than ‘exalt’ herself into someone who had a ‘right’ to the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of our Lord and Savior. God knows indeed that’s what we all need to do. . .humble ourselves.

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

There is also the question of who is able to consecrate the Eucharist. Non-Catholics, even those who believe in a spiritual or physical presence of Christ, typically deny the distinctly unique role of the Catholic priest, who alone is qualified to be an “alter Christus” in offering up the holy sacrifice. Most of these non-Catholics also take exception to the doctrine that the Mass is a non-bloody sacrifice, the eternal sacrifice of Calvary. It just doesn’t seem reasonable to have “communion” willy nilly with people who don’t want to be Catholic, and don’t agree with our doctrines. We may be thankful that they are Christians, and if they don’t mind giving communion to anyone who is baptized, that is their prerogative, but it seems to me that Catholics, for better or worse, have distinctive beliefs about the Mass and the Holy Eucharist that would make them want to exclude non-Catholics, but should also make non-Catholics, far from being offended, desire to be excluded.

Rory

 

[RoryMcKenzie56]

Might one ask if the OP is equally offended at being denied the Eucharist at the local Orthodox Church?

If not, why not? Surely the Orthodox are Christians. . .

If yes. . .then in all justice to Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant, the OP should be complaining not of being ‘denied’ at the Catholic Mass, but at the thought of ‘closed communion’.

If it’s really about the latter, at least you’ll know that it isn’t a ‘snub’ aimed only by Catholics, but a carefully thought conclusion by two of the largest Christian groups on the planet. In fact, while Catholics would welcome Orthodox to communion, I do not believe that the Orthodox would permit Catholics in their communion. . .and I don’t see the Catholics bashing the Orthodox for such an ‘offense’. Perhaps that is because Catholics and Orthodox see that the Eucharist is far more than a ‘bargaining chip’ to be demanded as a ‘right’.

I wish I had said that (the last sentence was good, beautiful, and true.) . My last Protestant denomination before becoming Catholic was closed communion. Wisconsin Synod Lutherans won’t even let the Missouri Synod receive! Communion implies unity, not diversity.

Rory

 

[Celtic_Catholic]

With respect. . .not really. Because those Protestants are not ‘allowed because they aren’t Catholic’ --that’s an over-simplification which makes it appear that all the Church has to do is relax its ‘man-made’ rules and Do What Jesus Would Do. . .which apparently is some kind of inclusive, "no rules here, if you love Me that’s enough’. If we love Him, then we** obey Him**. . .and that is why the other part that you left out–the Catholics who ‘receive’ even though they should not because they are not in a state of grace= makes it clear that this is not about “ya gotta be Catholic”. And that, far from being a “made-up Catholic rule”, this is yet another case where Catholic teaching is simply telling the world what GOD has decided. GOD --through the Catholic Church. Not "the Catholic Church pretending to be God."

Rather it is, “you have to be obedient.to Him” (the one who gave us His Church to help, not hinder.) These are His rules; the Church is simply carrying out God’s wishes. Too many don’t want that; they want warm fuzzy feelings of being ‘better’, ‘kinder’, more "Christ-like’ than Christ Himself.

As a final note, I have a very strong suspicion (mind you, THIS part is simply my opinion) that if a Protestant such as the OP suddenly found herself in front of Jesus, that rather than ‘demanding’ we Catholics stop ‘offending’ her by 'barring her from the Eucharist", that she would look into the eyes of Jesus and would know, with her heart, soul, and mind, that she would need to humble herself and accept His teaching rather than ‘exalt’ herself into someone who had a ‘right’ to the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, of our Lord and Savior. God knows indeed that’s what we all need to do. . .humble ourselves.

*That’s what I was trying to say. Humbling themselves. I think anyone who wishes to receive Communion wishes to receive it to be closer to Christ. And that’s all I meant. Christ welcomed people into His circle that the world rejected. I just couldn’t imagine Him, personally, turning anyone away **in any way ***if the person seeking was sincere and genuine. I do think you need to be in the state of grace to receive but I also believe that Communion seals that grace and **only God **could give it.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

God bless you!

 

[ricko]

I used to be Catholic and now I’m Protestant. When I attend a Catholic church for a function of any kind and Communion is involved - I don’t go up - and I’m not offended. If anything I feel sorry for them in that I believe the Lord frowns on excluding people from communion. If I’m not welcomed in the Catholic church so be it, that’s fine. I guarantee you there are no such exclusive clubs like that in heaven because ALL ARE WELCOMED AT HIS TABLE.

You must have missed several of the posts, it’s not about excluding anyone, rather it is about complying with scripture.

 

[CMatt25]

*That’s what I was trying to say. Humbling themselves. I think anyone who wishes to receive Communion wishes to receive it to be closer to Christ. And that’s all I meant. Christ welcomed people into His circle that the world rejected. I just couldn’t imagine Him, personally, turning anyone away **in any way ***if the person seeking was sincere and genuine. I do think you need to be in the state of grace to receive but I also believe that Communion seals that grace and **only God **could give it.

Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

God bless you!

Celtic Catholic, No you are not wrong. Christ has already clearly told us what HE would do. "I will NEVER turn away ANYONE who comes to me. (Jn 6:37 GNT)
God bless you!

 

[CMatt25]

Some conservative Protestant groups–MO Synod Lutherans for one–also restrict for similar reasons. They actually believe in the real presence but differ on the “how and when.” Also the real presence goes away after the Service concludes. They also want to make sure you are in sync with them doctrinally.

From what I’ve seen, not exactly correct. MO Synod leaves it up to the pastor. My local MO synod church’s pastor says on their website all are welcome as long as they believe in RP.

 

[CMatt25]

Who defines things such as state of grace, grievious sin, mortal sin? Does mortal sin presume to merit damnation? If it does, how is that not judging? Are we to judge? If we do, is it not sin? What about casting out our eye before casting the first stone?

This whole idea of you can’t receive Christ because you are in a state of serious sin ( You missed Mass on some prescribed Holy Day on a Friday in January vs Oh I don’t know, you name it, some other sin) and then judge and deny someone a place at Christ’s table as a result of our judging is, I’m sorry, totally something I don’t get.

 

[shawn38]

I was baptised Episcopalian. In this faith, all baptised Christians are welcomed to accept communion. I have been married now to my husband for 10 years and he is Catholic and our two children are being raised Catholic. I am offended that Catholics do not “allow” non-Catholics that are baptised to receive communion. When I’ve asked my husband about this in the past, he has simply said that is just how it is.
I have considered converting, but this is my sticking point with the Catholic faith.

Comments?

Depends on the priest. I’ve been to a CC funeral and prior to the eucharist the priest invited all to partake that were there knowing before hand that there were only a couple Catholics there. Most people there were Holiness.

 

[Celtic_Catholic]

Celtic Catholic, No you are not wrong. Christ has already clearly told us what HE would do. "I will NEVER turn away ANYONE who comes to me. (Jn 6:37 GNT)
God bless you!

*Thank you, my friend. God bless you, too. *

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Who defines things such as state of grace, grievious sin, mortal sin? That would be the Catholic Church. Check out the catechism. Talk to your priest. Does mortal sin presume to merit damnation? Um, yes. Mortal sin does kill the soul. If it does, how is that not judging? Are we to judge? If we do, is it not sin? What about casting out our eye before casting the first stone? Um, I am not judging another person’s sin, you know. As Catholics, we are supposed to ‘examine our consciences’. There are several very good guides out there for doing so. And one must be careful not to assume that ‘judge not’ means one can’t judge anything at all. We spend our lives making prudential judgments, including the judgment to do ‘good’. That’s one of the four cardinal virtues. . .prudence.

This whole idea of you can’t receive Christ because you are in a state of serious sin ( You missed Mass on some prescribed Holy Day on a Friday in January vs Oh I don’t know, you name it, some other sin) and then judge and deny someone a place at Christ’s table as a result of our judging is, I’m sorry, totally something I don’t get.

Again, I suggest that you read the relevant passages in the Catechism. You aren’t ‘entitled’ to communion as some sort of ‘reward’ for being a ‘good person’ who just happened to break some ‘silly rule’. Again, I reiterate; the Church doesn’t make up or add on rules, it merely states God’s own rules to us and requests us to follow Him.

 

[chris_molter]

Your Episcopalian mother has an excellent point. She certainly does not see a difference between the Holy Eucharist celebrated by her priest and that celebrated by your priest. You may have questions about validity of orders, but she doesn’t. And just as you do, she goes to the altar rail having made a general confession and received a general absolution. So, from her perspective, she is going to the altar free of mortal sin.

Of course, from her pov, she’s perfectly correct. From mine, I’m perfectly correct. Point of view is a rather limited approach when discussing matters of truth, though. We ought to be concerned with what IS, not with merely our perceptions of what is. And so, we end up at an impasse until delving further into whose sacramental theology is “true”.

If you wonder about this, ask yourself why the Archbishop of Canterbury celebrated mass at the Dominican Basilica of S. Sabina. See whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/search?q=rowan+williams toward the bottom of the page. It was in November 2006.

Was the Roman Catholic Church allowing the Archbishop of Canterbury to go play acting in this ancient basilica?

Yes, basically. Symbolic gestures do not trump infallible statements from prior Popes. More irenic Catholics would say that they cannot state with certainty whether or not the AbC confected a valid Eucharist, given the changes to Anglican Orders since Leo’s Bull. However, in the absence of ‘official’ word from the hierarchy, faithful Catholics must assume invalidity. Personally, I’d like to see the matter of Anglican Orders revisited by the Church. Much has changed since the end of the 19th century!

 

[izoid]

What a bunch of baloney. Please don’t get me started started about the sacraments. I made my communion and confirmation in the 60’s & 70’s. I had NO IDEA what they were about. Do you want to know why? The nuns refused to talk to us public school kids because we didn’t go to the Catholic school. All the time dragged out of line by our hair saying - “Get in the back of the line where you belong - you’re too poor to stand with the rest of us.” Enough said or would you like to hear more? So tell me - what does one have to do to be chosen? WHAT? Tell me because I would love to hear it.

Let me just say this. I choose to not partake in Communion in the Catholic church BECAUSE all people (including me) are not welcomed to do so.

I take Communion at my church who welcomes all to the table.

Does your church allow non believers to take communion? If not, should those people feel slighted? The only difference between them and you is what they believe, isn’t it?