Communion To Anglican partner at Wedding

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antonabe

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When a mixed marriage between a Catholic and an Anglican is solemnised in a Catholic Church can a Catholic priest give Holy Communion to the:o Anglican partner
 
Short answer: no. From the Church’s Code of Canon Law:

“844 1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments (including Communion) licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone …”
 
I’m married to a Congregationalist. We had a full nuptial Mass and my husband was permitted to receive Communion. I was surprised myself when our very orthodox priest told us before hand that he had applied and received permission from our even more orthodox bishop for this.
 
I’m married to a Congregationalist. We had a full nuptial Mass and my husband was permitted to receive Communion. I was surprised myself when our very orthodox priest told us before hand that he had applied and received permission from our even more orthodox bishop for this.
 
Yellow_Belle said:
I’m married to a Congregationalist. We had a full nuptial Mass and my husband was permitted to receive Communion. I was surprised myself when our very orthodox priest told us before hand that he had applied and received permission from our even more orthodox bishop for this.
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🤷 I’m not enough of an expert on Canon Law to know whether a bishop is even allowed to dispense from this.
 
LilyM said:
🤷 I’m not enough of an expert on Canon Law to know whether a bishop is even allowed to dispense from this.
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I don’t know either. It wasn’t something we asked for or even expected. We were married in Ireland. Perhaps there is a derogation for this country.
 
antonabe said:
When a mixed marriage between a Catholic and an Anglican is solemnised in a Catholic Church can a Catholic priest give Holy Communion to the:o Anglican partner
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With special permission of the Bishop, it could be possible. But generally the trend is that mixed Marriages are not celebrated within a Mass any longer.
 
There are certain situations (weddings and funerals) where a non Catholic may receive communion, but there are certain restrictions. I am not near my office but we received a directive from our bishop outlining the details. From what I remember the person has to believe what the Church believes regarding the Eucharist being the real presence of Jesus (which most Anglicans do), they must approach the priest before hand and ask permission, and it is only permission for that one time (the wedding mass).
 
As noted, the matter is broader than an application to the celebration of a mixed marriage.

It is necessary to read canon 844 in its entirity and not just paragraph 1. There are 4 other paragraphs in that canon that must be consulted. Several conditions must be met.

Then see, in regard to the particular case of a wedding, Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, 1993, nn. 129-131 and 160.

If the episcopal conference or diocesan bishop had not established norms according to canon 844, the minister will apply canon 844.
 
it is possible, under certain conditions, and permission must be obtained. If you have witnessed such a thing, assume the best case scenario that the rules were followed. If it is your wedding, ask the priest who will preside.
 
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