Communion question

[twohumble]

Can a Catholic (or should I say “should a Catholic”) or a non-Catholic, who is attending Mass, partake or obstain from Communion if they do not hold firmly to the doctrine of Transubstantiation?

Are non-Catholics invited to partake in communion? If so, under what criteria besides the commonly known to us all (not under mortal sin etc.)

If a Catholic does not believe in their heart in the doctrine of Transubstantiation, does this disqualify them from the Communion table? Does the church have any documents that address this?
Thanks

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Can a Catholic (or should I say “should a Catholic”) or a non-Catholic, who is attending Mass, partake or obstain from Communion if they do not hold firmly to the doctrine of Transubstantiation?

A non-Catholic may not receive communion in the Catholic church so the question for them is moot.

For a Catholic, I think the question is whether they believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. If they believe Jesus is truly present, then I don’t think the philosophical arguments about substance and accidents particularly matter.

Are non-Catholics invited to partake in communion? If so, under what criteria besides the commonly known to us all (not under mortal sin etc.)

No. Communion is a sign of unity. Non-Catholics are not in unity with the Catholic Church. There is an exception in case of someone in danger of death but that wouldn’t apply to the average person visiting at Mass.

If a Catholic does not believe in their heart in the doctrine of Transubstantiation, does this disqualify them from the Communion table? Does the church have any documents that address this?
Thanks

I don’t think there’s an easy answer to that question.

The Church believes that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist: body, blood, soul, and divinity.

The Church also believes in the Trinity, believes the Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, believes in the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Does every Catholic believe these things? I don’t know. These doctrines may be beyond someone’s understanding and belief. Perhaps it’s enough that they want to believe and want to be one with the thinking of the Church even if they have questions or doubts.

That’s different from totally rejecting what the Church teaches.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Can a Catholic (or should I say “should a Catholic”) or a non-Catholic, who is attending Mass, partake or obstain from Communion if they do not hold firmly to the doctrine of Transubstantiation?

Are non-Catholics invited to partake in communion? If so, under what criteria besides the commonly known to us all (not under mortal sin etc.)

If a Catholic does not believe in their heart in the doctrine of Transubstantiation, does this disqualify them from the Communion table? Does the church have any documents that address this?
Thanks

Non-Catholics are not invited to receive Holy Communion. It does not matter if they personally believe in the Doctrine of Transubstantiation or not. If they are not members of the Catholic faith they should not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church.

If a persons belief is at odds with the beliefs of the Catholic Church they should not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. IMO

 

[twohumble]

Non-Catholics are not invited to receive Holy Communion. It does not matter if they personally believe in the Doctrine of Transubstantiation or not. If they are not members of the Catholic faith they should not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church.

If a persons belief is at odds with the beliefs of the Catholic Church they should not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. IMO

I appreciate the feedback. My opinion is that when you belong to a Church, you have placed yourself under its Authority. Therefore, if you do not accept Transubstantiation, it seems hypocritical to partake (IMO), however, I know a number of Catholics who hold to a ‘symbolic’ meaning to the Lords Supper, and regularly partake. I challenged this and was told that their priest told them ‘it was fine’ and there was nothing in church documents or positions that explicitly denied them availability to the Table.

The Churches stated position for Communion is vague on this issue in the Catechism as far as I can read. I cannot find any specifics even on whether non-catholics are excluded.
So, is what you wrote above simply your opinion, or do you have some Church authority from some Catechism that supports this view?

I am not doubting or disagreeing with you, however, I would like some substance to the position.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

The Churches stated position for Communion is vague on this issue in the Catechism as far as I can read. I cannot find any specifics even on whether non-catholics are excluded.

Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

 

[Cristiano]

Can a Catholic (or should I say “should a Catholic”) or a non-Catholic, who is attending Mass, partake or obstain from Communion if they do not hold firmly to the doctrine of Transubstantiation?

Are non-Catholics invited to partake in communion? If so, under what criteria besides the commonly known to us all (not under mortal sin etc.)

If a Catholic does not believe in their heart in the doctrine of Transubstantiation, does this disqualify them from the Communion table? Does the church have any documents that address this?
Thanks

What do you mean with “does not believe in their heart”. Belief is a choice not a feeling. There is nothing heretical about having a doubt, and it does not disqualify the person from receiving communion. The person still receives the graces from God, and that it is time time when someone ought to receive communion. God will help them through communion!

In the case that the person is making a clear public statement that there is no transubstantiation at all, then the situation is different. At that point the person is not anymore a Catholic in good standing, it is proclaiming heresy.

 

[budgie2]

I think that when we receive the Eucharist it is a bit like the marriage sacrament. The Church is married to Christ and we make love to Jesus in the Eucharist. We are not allowed to have a one night stand with Christ and we need to be prepared and committed to enter the Catholic community before we can receive Communion in the Catholic Church.
If a Catholic does not believe in the real presence, I personally believe that they should still go to Communion as they still need Christ’s help although I don’t know what the Church says. You could also ask Jesus for proof of his presence in the Eucharist and there’s nothing wrong with being doubting Thomas. I asked Jesus for proof and had a religious experience on Corpus Christi and felt a cross had been put across my back. I still went when I had doubts. I’m not sure about mortal sin but we should go to Confession first if we are able. But if not, we might still need the help that Jesus’ gives us in the Eucharist.

 

[diggerdomer]

I appreciate the feedback. My opinion is that when you belong to a Church, you have placed yourself under its Authority. Therefore, if you do not accept Transubstantiation, it seems hypocritical to partake (IMO), however, I know a number of Catholics who hold to a ‘symbolic’ meaning to the Lords Supper, and regularly partake. I challenged this and was told that their priest told them ‘it was fine’ and there was nothing in church documents or positions that explicitly denied them availability to the Table.

The Churches stated position for Communion is vague on this issue in the Catechism as far as I can read. I cannot find any specifics even on whether non-catholics are excluded.
So, is what you wrote above simply your opinion, or do you have some Church authority from some Catechism that supports this view?

I am not doubting or disagreeing with you, however, I would like some substance to the position.

Re-read the outstanding post by SuscipeMeDomine. If that doesn’t answer your questions (again) please clarify.

 

[twohumble]

Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone, without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2.

Thank you for the post. This is one of the things I was looking for, for sure. Can you post a link to this document so I have it for my records? The Catholic Catechism I have does not include this. Is this out of the Catholic Catechism?

In regard to what you, and others have said, let me clarify the other portion of my question.
I have 3 family members (brother and his two older daughters) who outspokenly will state that they believe that Communion is ‘symbolic’ although mystical. They do not believe (as a stated choice) that there is a literal transformation of the bread into flesh, nor the wine into blood. I have told them that if this is the case, they should refrain from taking communion, and they completely disagree with me.

I have pointed out that we are to be ‘under authority’ and if we place ourselves under the Roman Catholic Church, we should abide by its guidelines or be considered hypocrits. I also opined that the Church has asked us to take communion in a manner it see’s as worthy, which includes accepting its doctrines. If they do not, they should refrain.

I would like to know if my opinion is too harsh, too judgemental and out of line. To another poster that questioned my ‘in their heart’, I was not referring to a feeling here. Rather, to a heart conviction and academic choice that they disbelieve the doctrine of Transubstantiation. They believe this is not a ‘salvation’ issue and they will do what they want. As I said, I have challenged them on this, and told them that to disobey the Church is rebellion to its authority and they should reconsider their position.
This is the backgroud and reason for my question.

Any comments are welcome.

 

[Cristiano]

Thank you for the post. This is one of the things I was looking for, for sure. Can you post a link to this document so I have it for my records? The Catholic Catechism I have does not include this. Is this out of the Catholic Catechism?

In regard to what you, and others have said, let me clarify the other portion of my question.
I have 3 family members (brother and his two older daughters) who outspokenly will state that they believe that Communion is ‘symbolic’ although mystical. They do not believe (as a stated choice) that there is a literal transformation of the bread into flesh, nor the wine into blood. I have told them that if this is the case, they should refrain from taking communion, and they completely disagree with me…

I think that what you are saying is that they are really confused and ignorant. I think that you would have the intellectual honesty to refrain from receiving communion if you were thinking the same way. My suggestion is to help them to understand better what communion is about by reading and discussing with them introductory books on sacramental theology and the mystery of the Eucharist. Sometime compassion and prayer are more effective than the rational approach. I think that your relatives are working more on the “feeling” mode than anything else. My impression is that deep down the know the Truth or the would not go for communion, but sometime it is too difficult to accept it.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Thank you for the post. This is one of the things I was looking for, for sure. Can you post a link to this document so I have it for my records? The Catholic Catechism I have does not include this. Is this out of the Catholic Catechism?

It’s from canon law: vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM

In regard to what you, and others have said, let me clarify the other portion of my question.
I have 3 family members (brother and his two older daughters) who outspokenly will state that they believe that Communion is ‘symbolic’ although mystical. They do not believe (as a stated choice) that there is a literal transformation of the bread into flesh, nor the wine into blood. I have told them that if this is the case, they should refrain from taking communion, and they completely disagree with me.

I don’t think I’ve ever told someone that they shouldn’t receive communion. That’s a matter for their confessor/pastor/bishop. If someone told me that the Eucharist was symbolic I would tell them that’s not what the Church teaches and depending on the circumstances I might show them the Catechism.

More likely I would start to talk about the incredible love that God has for us. Not only did he walk the earth at a particular time in history, but through the Eucharist he continues to be present to us now. God understands our limitations and knows that it’s not enough for us to know intellectually that he is present. We need something we can see and taste and touch, something we can experience. So he comes to us in the most humble form – simple bread and wine – so that we can bring him into our lives and be united with him in the most intimate and loving way.

If someone said the Eucharist was purely symbolic, I think I would mostly be very sad for them. I would pray for them. And I would hope that their continued attendance at Mass might be a source of grace so that they would come to understand what the Eucharist truly is. I wouldn’t want their misunderstanding to become a source of conflict that might drive them away completely.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I appreciate the feedback. My opinion is that when you belong to a Church, you have placed yourself under its Authority. Therefore, if you do not accept Transubstantiation, it seems hypocritical to partake (IMO), however, I know a number of Catholics who hold to a ‘symbolic’ meaning to the Lords Supper, and regularly partake. I challenged this and was told that their priest told them ‘it was fine’ and there was nothing in church documents or positions that explicitly denied them availability to the Table.

The Churches stated position for Communion is vague on this issue in the Catechism as far as I can read. I cannot find any specifics even on whether non-catholics are excluded.
So, is what you wrote above simply your opinion, or do you have some Church authority from some Catechism that supports this view?

I am not doubting or disagreeing with you, however, I would like some substance to the position.

You won’t find the answer to this in one place, like the Catechism. The Catechism will explain teaching of the Catholic Church, and what any person calling themselves Catholic is expected to believe. The Liturgical rules as well as Canon Law will govern who can and who cannot receive Holy Communion. There are also many papal and other Church documents which outline this.