Episcopal Church Communion

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I was recently in an Episcopal Church singing with a choir I belong to. We sang 20 minutes before their service and then stayed. What is a Catholic to do at Communion? Is it sinful to receive? Do we just remain in our seats…go up for a blessing? It was an awkward moment and I was wondering which Church document deals with this.

Thanks and God bless,

Romanchant
 
If you are Catholic, you can only receive communion in a Catholic Mass. To receive in any other church would be a lie (since they have fallen out of communion with the Catholic Church). It would be a sin to receive.

Also, no offense, but why are you participating in Episcopalian choirs and services in the first place? If you are part of a traveling choir I would avoid events at Protestant churches.
 
romanchant said:
I was wondering which Church document deals with this.
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I suppose all one can do is to politely explain why you could not commune afterward. I cannot address “going up” for some blessing, but would recommend it be avoided since it may confuse your intentions.

Perhaps some sources will aid you in this explanation. You may benefit from reading more than these snippets below, however.

As the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of Ecumenism [1993], #129 notes, “Eucharistic communion is inseparably linked to full ecclesial communion and its visible expression.” You may review the document at
vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_25031993_principles-and-norms-on-ecumenism_en.html

In limited conditions, the reception of Eucharist, penance, and anointing of the sick from certain non Catholic minister is permitted, but only under those conditions given in Canon 844 §2. A chief condition is the validity of the sacrament. However, the ecclesial communities of the Anglican, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, etc. traditions are not considered to possess valid Holy Orders or valid Eucharist. Thus it is not possible for Catholics to receive communion in their services.

“The Catholic faithful, therefore, while respecting the religious convictions of these separated brethren, must refrain from receiving the communion distributed in their celebrations, so as not to condone an ambiguity about the nature of the Eucharist and, consequently, to fail in their duty to bear clear witness to the truth.” (John Paul II, encyclical On the Eucharist [Ecclesia de Eucharistia], no. 30.; available at www.vatican.va)

Also see appendix II, “May Catholics Receive Holy Communion In Other Christian Churches and Ecclesial Communities?” at nccbuscc.org/dpp/Eucharist.pdf .
 
Why would the OP want to avoid events at Protestant churches? They are our brothers and sisters, treating their churches like leper tents is counter-productive.
 
Thanks Pong,

Perhaps I should have given more information. I sing in a choir that sings mostly the polyphonic literature of the 16th and 17th centuries…mostly music that was written for the Catholic Church (Byrd, Palestrina, Victoria, etc.). We are made up of singers from various demoninations. We were invited to sing at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. this past Sunday as a prelude to the Sunday service. It was a wonderful treat in a wonderful space!! I and several others are Catholics…I was trying to remember were it was written in the Church documents about Communion at other denominations. The question came up amongst a few of us. (We did run over to the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and caught a lovely Spanish Mass at 1:30 in the Crypt Church. Later…back to the National Cathedral and a wonderful organ recital by Alan Morrison!!!)

God bless,

chantromanum
 
I think that’s absolutely wonderful!! I play in a contemporary praise band type thing with a group of Lutherans and the drummer and I especially trade off playing in each other’s churches quite a bit. She doesn’t drum at Mass, she sings, but the idea is the same. 😉 It’s sad to think about the separation that occured so many years ago and how far reaching its effects. 😦
 
When my wife directed the choir at an Episcopal Church she used to go up for a blessing. That seemed fine both with them and with our pastor.
 
I’m not sure how this will come across, but without disrespect meant to any Anglicans the reason we don’t receive is not only because they are not in communion but also because they don’t have a valid sacrament. In that light what sense does it make to go for a blessing if their ministers, as we believe, are not validly ordained?
 
Thanks to all who helped with this thread. When it comes to these, and other issues, such as music for Mass, etc. one should really turn to the documents. I think Cameron’s quoting from John Paul’s **Ecclesia de Eucharistia **really says it all: “The Catholic faithful, therefore, while respecting the religious convictions of these separated brethren, must refrain from receiving the communion distributed in their celebrations, so as not to condone an ambiguity about the nature of the Eucharist and, consequently, to fail in their duty to bear clear witness to the truth.” (John Paul II, encyclical On the Eucharist [Ecclesia de Eucharistia], no. 30.; available at [www.vatican.va)]](www.vatican.va)])
Wouldn’t even going up for a blessing really fall under “not to condone an ambiguity”?

Thanks and God bless,

romanchant
 
Pong said:
Why would the OP want to avoid events at Protestant churches? They are our brothers and sisters, treating their churches like leper tents is counter-productive.
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To use the correct term they are “Separated brothers and sisters in Christ”.
 
Hi,
I think your singing at their service is lovely.

I am a former Episcopalian, now Catholic. When I was Episcopalian & a member of a very large choir, we had a tradition that we would sing at the wedding of any member. As a result of this tradition, there was a time where we sang at a Catholic wedding mass. It would not have even OCCURRED to any of us to attempt to receive communion in the course of that service. No one in the choir even tried.

That same choir caused many who came to my wedding to wonder whether they had come to a wedding or, instead, a concert!

But back to the topic, conversely, should a Catholic, following whatever protocal they have established, end up singing in an Episcopal service/mass, there is no reason to seek to participate any further. You’re there to sing. That’s enough. Luckily, all of this singing is to the glory of God. You can do that anywhere!
 
I have been a professional chorister in an Episcopal church for 19 years. I have never participated in their communion. I sit at the end of a pew. I step out and let everyone else pass, then sit back down. Several other choir members do the same, for whatever reason. They all know I’m Catholic. Some used to be curious, but they’ve stopped asking questions after all these years.

Betsy
 
Pong said:
Why would the OP want to avoid events at Protestant churches? They are our brothers and sisters, treating their churches like leper tents is counter-productive.
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Because participating in Protestant services tends to encourage indifferentism. The OP’s question is proof of that.

Pope Pius XI in Mortalium Animos in 1928 declared:
“…it is clear that the Apostolic See cannot on any terms take part in their [non-Catholic] assemblies, nor is it anyway lawful for Catholics either to support or to work for such enterprises; for if they do so they will be giving countenance to a false Christianity, quite alien to the one Church of Christ.”
 
It only encourages indifferentism in those who already have a tendency towards being indifferent. 😉 The OP only asked for documented clarification of a point. For those of us who are faithful Catholics, well grounded in the faith, and able to clearly differentiate between Catholic and non-Catholic, there is no problem. Quoting a 1928 document proves nothing especially in light of the 1993 Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms of Ecumenism. Times have changed, friend.
 
lepanto said:
Because participating in Protestant services tends to encourage indifferentism. The OP’s question is proof of that.

Pope Pius XI in Mortalium Animos in 1928 declared:
“…it is clear that the Apostolic See cannot on any terms take part in their [non-Catholic] assemblies, nor is it anyway lawful for Catholics either to support or to work for such enterprises; for if they do so they will be giving countenance to a false Christianity, quite alien to the one Church of Christ.”
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Have you read anything any pope has said since 1928?
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
Have you read anything any pope has said since 1928?
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So something that was written pre-Vatican II is now worthless? Should we then throw out the bible too?

Assuming that you have read anything that any pope has said since 1928 that formally abrogates Mortalium Animos – please post it.
 
romanchant said:
I was recently in an Episcopal Church singing with a choir I belong to. We sang 20 minutes before their service and then stayed. What is a Catholic to do at Communion? Is it sinful to receive? Do we just remain in our seats…go up for a blessing? It was an awkward moment and I was wondering which Church document deals with this.

Thanks and God bless,

Romanchant
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The Anglican “Eucharist” is not valid. Nor are their “priests” who certainly cannot bless you.
 
lepanto said:
So something that was written pre-Vatican II is now worthless? Should we then throw out the bible too?

Assuming that you have read anything that any pope has said since 1928 that formally abrogates Mortalium Animos – please post it.
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Go read every document from the Second Vatican Council and all of John Paul the Great’s letters on ecumenism.
 
PaixGioiaAmor said:
Go read every document from the Second Vatican Council and all of John Paul the Great’s letters on ecumenism.
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I can assure you of two facts: the Church did not begin in 1963; and John Paul II was not the only Pope to ever issue documents regarding this issue. It is still, as it ever was, a sin for a Catholic to participate in non-Catholic worship, for such a thing leads to an acceptance of non-Catholic ideas.
 
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