How do Catholics admit divorced people?

[rcwitness]

BlackFriar:

It would be cruel to tell this women that she can’t marry.

So forgive me for my ignorance but I thought that it was mandatory for Catholics to participate by partaking of Communion. The Mass obligations then are only to attend Mass not necessarily ever partake of the Eucharist? If the Eucharist is the summit of the Catholic faith and experience, how can one find fulfillment in their Christian life if they can’t participate?

Is there something I am missing?

The obligation to receive Communion is at least once a year. Attending Mass and days of obligation are Sundays and specified days.

All are called to confess serious sins asap, and then receive Communion in a worthy manner.

The obligations aren’t intended to be the first means of conviction and compulsion. We should be compelled by the Holy Spirit to desire to attend and participate in Sunday worship.

Because of the hardness of hearts, the Church states, by way of firm admonishment, her precepts.

 

[Wannano]

Wannano:

BlackFriar:

It would be cruel to tell this women that she can’t marry.

So forgive me for my ignorance but I thought that it was mandatory for Catholics to participate by partaking of Communion. The Mass obligations then are only to attend Mass not necessarily ever partake of the Eucharist? If the Eucharist is the summit of the Catholic faith and experience, how can one find fulfillment in their Christian life if they can’t participate?

Is there something I am missing?

The obligation to receive Communion is at least once a year. Attending Mass and days of obligation are Sundays and specified days.

All are called to confess serious sins asap, and then receive Communion in a worthy manner.

The obligations aren’t intended to be the first means of conviction and compulsion. We should be compelled by the Holy Spirit to desire to attend and participate in Sunday worship.

Because of the hardness of hearts, the Church states, by way of firm admonishment, her precepts.

I find it all so intriguing. So either the person in the above scenario eats the Eucharist at least once a year in an unworthy manner to fulfill the obligation of partaking at least once a year, or sins even further by never partaking of the Eucharist. Or is it possible to go to confession once a year to get worthy to partake once a year to meet the obligations even if the person knows full well that they are in and planning to stay in an adulterous relationship. Meanwhile for the other 364 days a year they can participate in church life and satisfy the expectations of the priest and all the kind loving congregants.

 

[Wannano]

Wannano:

Is there something I am missing?

Yeah. It’s not like you are ex-communicated because you did something wrong. A lot of people don’t take communion. Go to a Mass someday and have a look. It used to be a lot more before Vatican II and the relaxing of the fasting rules (used to be from midnight on). Think of it like this: you like to go sailing. Your friend owns a boat and lets you steer. But let’s say you get sick and are unable to steer. Would you stop going sailing? It’s not “the summit of experience” to be a passenger and not steer, but it beats not sailing at all!

Wow, I get the picture. Actually not much different than I had envisioned. Thanks for you honesty.

 

[rcwitness]

The Church NEVER implies to receive Communion in an unworthy manner. Receiving absolution from serious sins is always necessary before receiving Holy Communion.

This may help you understand the Precepts of the Church:

What Are the Five Precepts of the Catholic Church?

The precepts of the Church, also called the commandments of the Church, are duties that the Catholic Church requires of all the faithful.

www.learnreligions.com

 

[rcwitness]

Just because we are refraining to go to confession, and repent of our sins (which prevent us from receiving Communion in a worthy manner), does not mean we do not have the privilege and responsibility to go to hear and open our hearts.

Receiving Communion means that we have opened our hearts, we have turned to Jesus for forgiveness, and wish to give Him thanks for healing us through His love and sacrifice.

If we receive while remaining holding on to our sins, and unable to bring them to His Sacrament of Reconciliation, why would we expect to receive the sacrificial means in which He suffered in order for us to be reconciled!?!

 

[rcwitness]

How many of these couples would remain “happy” while abstaining from sex?

 

[Wannano]

Just because we are refraining to go to confession, and repent of our sins (which prevent us from receiving Communion in a worthy manner), does not mean we do not have the privilege and responsibility to go to hear and open our hearts.

Receiving Communion means that we have opened our hearts, we have turned to Jesus for forgiveness, and wish to give Him thanks for healing us through His love and sacrifice.

If we receive while remaining holding on to our sins, and unable to bring them to His Sacrament of Reconciliation, why would we expect to receive the sacrificial means in which He suffered in order for us to be reconciled!?!

The only reason I can see is to satisfy the obligations and to be able to continue in an adulterous relationship to the satisfaction of the priest and church community.

 

[rcwitness]

I don’t understand your statement here. Can you clarify what you mean?

 

[Wannano]

I don’t understand your statement here. Can you clarify what you mean?

It was my answer to your last question.

 

[rcwitness]

How do you conclude that someone could fulfill our obligations and be in an adulterous relationship simultaneously???

 

[Wannano]

How do you conclude that someone could fulfill our obligations and be in an adulterous relationship simultaneously???

I can’t conclude that, that is my struggle to understand. The statement that Black Friar made was that the simple solution to satisfying all the expectations is to simply refrain from taking the Communion.

 

[rcwitness]

Do you have the post number for that statement?

 

[Wannano]

Do you have the post number for that statement?

55 and 57 in this thread above

 

[rcwitness]

rcwitness:

Do you have the post number for that statement?

55 and 57 in this thread above

The only thing I felt was not good about those posts was the concept that refraining from Communion is a small consequence.

Refraining from Communion, in itself, is the right choice for one who is disobeying Jesus’ call to righteousness.

We are told by St Paul:
**Ephesians 4:1

[ Unity in the Body of Christ ] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a lifeworthy of the calling to which you have been called

**
The right thing to do, is to turn back to Jesus in heart and deed, THEN receive His body and blood sacrificed for that very purpose.

 

[Wannano]

Wannano:

rcwitness:

Do you have the post number for that statement?

55 and 57 in this thread above

The only thing I felt was not good about those posts was the concept that refraining from Communion is a small consequence.

Refraining from Communion, in itself, is the right choice for one who is disobeying Jesus’ call to righteousness.

We are told by St Paul:
**Ephesians 4:1

[ Unity in the Body of Christ ] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a lifeworthy of the calling to which you have been called

**
The right thing to do, is to turn back to Jesus in heart and deed, THEN receive His body and blood sacrificed for that very purpose.

So what is the consequence for a Catholic to never partake of Communion?

 

[BlackFriar]

In this case, being able to stay in a happy 2nd marriage for the sake of the children which is tolerated by the Church and so presumably by God.

 

[rcwitness]

Disobeying a command of Jesus

 

[rcwitness]

Adultery is not tolerated by the Church. So sexual relations are prohibited for invalid/irregular marriages.

 

[BlackFriar]

Indeed, but some, despite not doing so, are no longer prohibited from being loved and graced members of the Church and are fully welcomed by us to be involved in almost all aspects of our Christian life except the Communion line and possibly Confession… for the moment.

I hope you hold likewise

 

[rcwitness]

Indeed, but some, despite not doing so, are no longer prohibited from being loved and graced members of the Church and are fully welcomed by us to be involved in almost all aspects of our Christian life except the Communion line and possibly Confession… for the moment.

I hope you hold likewise

Yes, I agree that no one should be unloved, unrespected, not offered mercy, excluded from Mass and Church activity attendance…

I think the degree of their roles in these things should be left to elders and pastors. Hopefully our parishes see a growth in wise leadership.