deny communion

  • Thread starter Thread starter SalesianSDB
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Cristiano said:
1- An EMHC can ask people if he is instructed by the pastor to do so. I have been instructed to ask people if they are Catholics if I have a reasonable doubt, and I have to deny communion if they are not. That it is only question that I have been instructed to ask.

2- EMHCs are the primary individuals responsible that the Host is treated with reverence and they have to act on it if it is not. Ushers like every other Catholic have an obligation to protect the Host too. This is not just about manners, this is about our Lord and Saviour.

3- Contrary to what you say receiving communion it is a sacrilege when the recipient knows that he is not allowed by the Church law. St. Paul made that clear.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Cristiano.
  1. The only question I have ever asked somebody is “Are you Catholic?” In one case, the person said that he was. After Mass, I found an opportunity to talk to this young man about how to properly approach the altar for Communion. In over 20 years as an EMCH, there are only 2 times that I have denied Communion to anybody; I can count on one hand the number of times I have asked this question.
    I may not ask if a person is living in adultery; remarried without benefit of annulment,etc. However, if a person chooses to wear the Rainbow Sash, he has made his statement for me and I am charged with refusing the Eucharist.
    What would I do if a known pro-choice politician on the “may not receive list” approached me for communion? Before denying him/her, I would probably ask if he/she had denounced that position.
  2. As mentioned in an earlier post, this was the emphasis during my last EMCH training, even if this means following the person down the aisle. The usher is only to be involved if necessary, if a simple request is not honored. Logistics is also an issue. The usher is generally involved in making sure that the communion line moves in an orderly fashion as he moves down the aisle letting each row know when it is their turn to join the line.
  3. While the ordained priest has a special role within the Church, each of us is a member of the royal priesthood. Any Catholic has a duty to protect the host. That is also why I shared the Fulton Sheen story.
How a person who acts as EMCH or lector is observed by all, and he/she is often under a great deal of scrutiny. It is for this reason that my current overseas parish has such expectations for those who choose to serve in either ministry. Monthly meetings are mandatory as is the First Friday Holy Hour and participation in the Catholic Enrichment Program.

There are only two times that I have seen an usher escort a person out of church. Both happened in my small hometown parish. The first case involved a drunkard who had followed me into the downtown church. This man had difficulty following instructions, such as moving out of the aisle into a pew when directed so that the priest could proceed to the altar. I was lector on this particular day which means I was part of the procession (and could see everything that happened). During the responsorial psalm, this man exuberantly rushed the altar. Father immediately placed himself between the man and the altar. The ushers escorted the man from the church.
The second case involved a young man who refused to remove his headphones when instructed to do so by the ushers.

As a general rule, the Catholic Church does trust each person to follow personal conscience, to personally decide if he/she is properly disposed to receive the Eucharist. There are rare exceptions.
 
Marauder said:
I think you misunderstood what I was saying. Saying “Are you a Catholic?” is fine, especially if your pastor said to ask that question. When I said “It isn’t the EMHCs job to be asking these qualfication questions.” I specifically meant asking questions beyond “Are you a Catholic?” and to a young kid “Have you received first communion?” I think that is what you mean by going freelance. Asking different beyond the “simple” questions because you know the person is going freelance. If there is doubt about whether someone should receive they should be referred to the priest.

The main thing I have been saying all along is that the EMHCs should not be taking it upon themselves to be asking any questions beyond those authorized by the pastor. To do so is doing something that should be reserved for the ordained clergy and even doing things that people complain about all the time on here, doing things that isn’t written in the guidelines.
Click to expand...
“Aren’t you an atheist” was a rhetorical question as the OP knew prior to Mass that the person in line was an atheist. The person confirmed that fact and so the EMHC was right to deny communion.
 
That’s just plain spiteful on that person’s part…asking for communion knowing full well that’s something your religion holds sacred.
When I am invited to my friend’s church for any type of religious function, I wouldn’t even dream of doing something like that…It’s like a slap in the face, you know? The members of said church were kind enough to let me participate…it would be all kinds of rude to mock the people of said church.
 
phoenixrrt62 said:
That’s just plain spiteful on that person’s part…asking for communion knowing full well that’s something your religion holds sacred.
When I am invited to my friend’s church for any type of religious function, I wouldn’t even dream of doing something like that…It’s like a slap in the face, you know? The members of said church were kind enough to let me participate…it would be all kinds of rude to mock the people of said church.
Click to expand...
Thank you Phoenix - unfortunately I have learned there are two kinds of atheists in the world, passive atheists who believe what they believe and may or may not debate others, and angry atheists who will debate, demean, and degrade any form of religion they come in to contact with.
 
I would have done exactly the same thing since he told you he was an Atheist directly before attempting to receive. Also, he blasphemed our Lord by his words. Whether or not he realizes the seriousness of this, I don’t know. That said, I can’t judge him. However, if someone comes up to you and asks to receive the Eucharist and then directly claims to be an Atheist, I would flat out deny it to him.
 
Bob_Aliano said:
Any one who knows me will think I’ve finally lost it but I have a problem with EMHC, maybe even priests denying communion to anyone. We may “know” the person before us is a sinner, Atheist, gay marriage or abortion supporter, or at least we “knew” that was true when we last checked. We do not know that person’s state of grace at the moment of communion. I believe that uncertainty, not the bishops’ compassion, is why so many politicians are still not being denied communion. Am I wrong here?
Click to expand...
Well, how can it be more obvious when the person declares themselves an Atheist directly before he was going to receive? How could it be more obvious when a person presents themselves to receive wearing a gay pride sash? How could it be more obvious if the person presents themselves wearing a clearly pro-abortion pin/shirt/whatever? Personally, the decision would be obvious to me. My love for the Lord would absolutely forbid me from giving His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to anyone who was clearly and OBVIOUSLY in a state of serious disagreement with the Church. And no, I am not talking about mere suspicion either. I am talking about when it is obvious such as in the OP’s case and the cases mentioned above.
 
Holly3278 said:
Well, how can it be more obvious when the person declares themselves an Atheist directly before he was going to receive? How could it be more obvious when a person presents themselves to receive wearing a gay pride sash? How could it be more obvious if the person presents themselves wearing a clearly pro-abortion pin/shirt/whatever? Personally, the decision would be obvious to me. My love for the Lord would absolutely forbid me from giving His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity to anyone who was clearly and OBVIOUSLY in a state of serious disagreement with the Church. And no, I am not talking about mere suspicion either. I am talking about when it is obvious such as in the OP’s case and the cases mentioned above.
Click to expand...
Right on!!!

God Bless,

Iowa Mike
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top