Eastern Orthodox, Eucharist, and the Pope

[toby42]

Hello,

How can the Eastern Orthodox receive the Eucharist and not recognize the Pope as the head of the church?

One reason that is given for the withholding of the Eucharist from non-
Catholics is that for a non-Catholic to receive is to also publicly acknowledge/declare that they are in full communion with the Catholic church. The Orthodox obviously are not.

Now… please forgive me this tangent, but what, then, is of necessary belief to receive Communion? It seems like the primacy of the seat of Peter is not an essential. What, then, of say, the Immaculate Conception (which, actually, the Orthodox also do not accept - in the Catholic understanding). How can they receive Eucharist but not be in full communion with the fullness of Catholic belief? And - what is the line of demarcation? What is necessary to believe?

Thank you all.

 

[InThePew]

How can the Eastern Orthodox receive the Eucharist and not recognize the Pope as the head of the church?
Now… please forgive me this tangent, but what, then, is of necessary belief to receive Communion? It seems like the primacy of the seat of Peter is not an essential. What, then, of say, the Immaculate Conception (which, actually, the Orthodox also do not accept - in the Catholic understanding). How can they receive Eucharist but not be in full communion with the fullness of Catholic belief? And - what is the line of demarcation? What is necessary to believe?

From the Directory on Ecumenism

“Between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Churches not in full communion with it, there is still a very close communion in matters of faith… through the celebration of the Eucharist of the Lord in each of these Churches, the Church of God is built up and grows in stature” and “although separated from us, these Churches still possess true sacraments, above all—by apostolic succession—the priesthood and the Eucharist.”

 

[PaulfromIowa]

The Eastern Orthodox Churches have all seven valid sacraments in their own churches. Recognizing this, the Catholic Church will offer some sacraments to Eastern Orthodox persons under certain circumstances.

Catholic Canon Law:

844 §3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.

The East-West Great Schism of 1054 was a great tragedy, but the Eastern Orthodox Churches never lost their valid bishops in apostolic succession. Thus, they retain all seven sacraments. This is in contrast to the Protestant churches, whose reformers rejected the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and thus lost valid bishops in apostolic succession. Therefore, the only valid sacraments that the Protestants have are Baptism and Holy Matrimony, which do not require a bishop or priest.

 

[toby42]

The Eastern Orthodox Churches have all seven valid sacraments in their own churches. Recognizing this, the Catholic Church will offer some sacraments to Eastern Orthodox persons under certain circumstances.

The East-West Great Schism of 1054 was a great tragedy, but the Eastern Orthodox Churches never lost their valid bishops in apostolic succession. Thus, they retain all seven sacraments. This is in contrast to the Protestant churches, whose reformers rejected the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and thus lost valid bishops in apostolic succession. Therefore, the only valid sacraments that the Protestants have are Baptism and Holy Matrimony, which do not require a bishop or priest.

Right, I understand this. And I even pulled out my CCC to check it out (which is why I turned here). So I guess, then, I should ask: do you not have to be in full conformity of belief with the Catholic Church in matters of dogma to partake of Eucharist? If not, then what is of necessary belief to receive Communion? Because it appears that Immaculate Conception and the primacy of the Pope are not required…

 

[SyroMalankara]

Right, I understand this. And I even pulled out my CCC to check it out (which is why I turned here). So I guess, then, I should ask: do you not have to be in full conformity of belief with the Catholic Church in matters of dogma to partake of Eucharist? If not, then what is of necessary belief to receive Communion? Because it appears that Immaculate Conception and the primacy of the Pope are not required…

If you are actively opposed to either of those, or find them heterodox, you wouldn’t receive Catholic Communion. If you think those things are not heterodox, but think they are matters of theological opinion or degree - it’s possible to receive without being out of conformity with the Catholic Church.

 

[toby42]

If you are actively opposed to either of those, or find them heterodox, you wouldn’t receive Catholic Communion. If you think those things are not heterodox, but think they are matters of theological opinion or degree - it’s possible to receive without being out of conformity with the Catholic Church.

But since these things are official dogma and not theological opinion or degree, then wouldn’t that be out of conformity with the Catholic Church?

And I understand about a person’s own choice to refrain, but from the Church’s POV, would they still allow it if that person wanted to take Communion but was not in full agreement?

(p.s. - I’m not being argumentative; just really really trying to gain full understanding).