Funeral Mass of Pope John Paul

[NewCatholicGirl]

I was wondering, didnt then Cardinal Ratzinger give communion to everyone at the funeral mass?

 

[Cradle]

I remember when I watched it that the people were told, in a few languages, that only those who are Catholic and in a worthy state may receive Communion… Now as far as what the MHC and EMHCs did I have no clue since my memory’s not that good…

 

[Sacramentalist]

What do you expect people to do at a Mass with that large of a congregation? They can’t exactly “screen” people ahead of time for their Catholicism.

A priest must always presume that those approaching him for Communion are Catholic and in the state of grace. He may only deny if a) he knows the individual is not Catholic, or b) the Catholic would-be communicant is someone living a manifestly (i.e. publicly) sinful life.