I DID NOT participate in Communion at Wife's Non-Denom Church and she was FURIOUS!

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uofl19

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The reason is because it was the 1st time that I did not!! After 2 yrs, I finally said NO!! I CAN’T DO THIS!! I did it before knowing it was wrong, to apease her and not make the congregation think I was a heathen or something. However, after being on this board, reading the part of the cathecism and talking to a Preist about this I said enoguh is enough. She was upset at 1st but understood later in the day. I think she was more concerned about what other’s at her Church thought but I can’t worry about that. I told her even if we do something with her parents or family I cannot participate anymore and I hope that they would understand. If they don’t like it tough!!

Luckily they only take communion once a month and the pastor always states you don’t have to be a member of the Church to take Communion, just be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Finally I had the guts to make my Faith stronger than my Pride. I’m sure there were people there that thought that I am a heathen!! Even though I’ms sure 90% of the people tehre know I’m Catholic and that I only go with my wife because she goes to Mass with me.
 
Good for you, that takes strength. Who knows, maybe the strength of your faith will inspire some of these members of other Ecclesial Communities.
 
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uofl19:
The reason is because it was the 1st time that I did not!! After 2 yrs, I finally said NO!! I CAN’T DO THIS!! I did it before knowing it was wrong, to apease her and not make the congregation think I was a heathen or something. However, after being on this board, reading the part of the cathecism and talking to a Preist about this I said enoguh is enough. She was upset at 1st but understood later in the day. I think she was more concerned about what other’s at her Church thought but I can’t worry about that. I told her even if we do something with her parents or family I cannot participate anymore and I hope that they would understand. If they don’t like it tough!!

Luckily they only take communion once a month and the pastor always states you don’t have to be a member of the Church to take Communion, just be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Finally I had the guts to make my Faith stronger than my Pride. I’m sure there were people there that thought that I am a heathen!! Even though I’ms sure 90% of the people tehre know I’m Catholic and that I only go with my wife because she goes to Mass with me.
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I’ll bet your wife will ultimately come to have more respect for you for taking this step. It took guts. You da man!
 
I would not have either, but wives can be a huge influence one way or another. It’s good that she understood even though it was later.

It’s difficult being married to a non-Catholic. I am also. Folks about to marry into that situation should have a couple fo long discussions on what they expect and what they should have to understand about their future. There are a whole bunch of issues that should be resolved long before the I do’s turn into the I won’ts.
wc
 
U of L:

Regardless of what I might think of the Catholic Church’s practice regarding Eucharist, I think you are to be respected for your belief and practice. If you honestly embrace EENS and Catholic practice, you should follow it.

I do some occasional lecturing on worship, liturgy, and sacramental theology, and sometimes participate in catholic retreats as a speaker or resource person (I used to be very active in Cursillo), and because of that I am often in Catholic circles. The invitation has sometimes been extended to me (even by a bishop) to participate in Eucharist during the Mass. I’ve always believed, even in a retreat or monastic setting, that it is at best a bit of a stretch of Canon Law for me to participate (i.e., being at a Retreat Center a long distance from any other church, living in community life, my embrace of the Real Presence, etc.). So I don’t participate out of respect for the Church and those present.

I cannot speak for the free Protestant traditions, but I do know that Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and several other communions believe that baptism places our membership in the Church Catholic, and that we live out our baptismal vows in the world through various communions. So our understanding of communion is different than that of the Catholic or Eastern traditions.

Perhaps explaining that to your wife would be helpful, and during the celebration of eucharist in your wife’s church, pray for the unity of the Church. That’s what I do when I attend a Mass.

O+
 
People take it as a personal rejection, I’ve noticed.I think they feel as if they are very graciouslly extending communion to all, in the spirit of unity, and then are rebuffed. Protestants often see communion as a unifying gesture, above all, not neccessarily with Christ but with their fellow Christians. NonDenominationals, especially, have boiled down the faith to a very simple level of a ‘personal relationship’, without any church structure, therefore the rules of the Catholic Church baffle and irritate them.
 
Yes, it was difficult to say the least. I forgot it was the 1st Sunday of the month and that is when they take Communion or I would have told her on the way to Church.

She also thought of it as a slap in the face to her Church. I’m sure there is probably a few others there that feel that way too and they obviously don’t understand Catholicism. In no way am I trying to put down her Church.
 
:clapping:

Talk about witnessing the faith. Good for you. I applaud you for doing it charitably and with respect.

Are there any denominations Catholics can participate in communion??? I thought Episcopal and Lutheran were ok…but I don’t know (I usually play it safe and just don’t go up).
 
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uofl19:
The reason is because it was the 1st time that I did not!! After 2 yrs, I finally said NO!! I CAN’T DO THIS!! I did it before knowing it was wrong, to apease her and not make the congregation think I was a heathen or something. However, after being on this board, reading the part of the cathecism and talking to a Preist about this I said enoguh is enough. She was upset at 1st but understood later in the day. I think she was more concerned about what other’s at her Church thought but I can’t worry about that. I told her even if we do something with her parents or family I cannot participate anymore and I hope that they would understand. If they don’t like it tough!!

Luckily they only take communion once a month and the pastor always states you don’t have to be a member of the Church to take Communion, just be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Finally I had the guts to make my Faith stronger than my Pride. I’m sure there were people there that thought that I am a heathen!! Even though I’ms sure 90% of the people tehre know I’m Catholic and that I only go with my wife because she goes to Mass with me.
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I have been through the exact same thing at an Evangelical Free Church I attend with my wife. For a brief time I participated in their “Lords Supper” (also monthly - where’s that in the bible!?) but after speaking with one of my priests I came to realize that I could no longer participate - my wife was outwardly nonplussed but there is an element of division over it. I also play on the worship team (guitar) and so each month I have to deny their communion - though I doubt any in the pews realize what’s happening.
Not that long ago I got into an ackward situation when (during a prayer time for someone present in a casual setting) one of the people present surprisingly broke out some bread and grape juice and began reading from the last supper accounts. I felt ackward because I didn’t want to draw attention away from the person we were all there for. I decided that participating with full knowledge that it was NOT Christ Real Presence, but a gathering in His name, putting the interests of our friend before everything else would be acceptable to our Lord. I partook uneasily. I later discussed it with the aforementioned priest - he didn’t think Christ would have been pleased. He said something in the way of " a great sacrilege" I believe. My point? Keep your guard up! You never know when these things will happen…

Phil
 
These awkward moments are because we live in an extremely diverse society. I feel the same way when I’m in a group of people who assume that any reasonable person would feel the same way about politics, religion, abortion, gay marriage, etc. Either you end up going along with the crowd, holding your tongue, or speaking your mind. If you try and explain your POV, inevitably someone will be offended or upset.

It’s very uncomfortable, and makes ecumenical efforts difficult because there is basically a lack of mutual respect towards the Catholic view of Holy Communion. Unfortunately, tolerance in this instance, requires from the Non-Denominational POV, disobedience to the Church.
 
Are there any denominations Catholics can participate in communion??? I thought Episcopal and Lutheran were ok…but I don’t know (I usually play it safe and just don’t go up).
[/quote]

No. The only one that it might be possible for you to take the Eucharist at would be an Eastern Orthodox church (and only under vary rare circumstances). Taking ‘Communion’ at their church would be just as much as saying that they’re right. Any Catholic who participates in Communion at a schismatic or heretical church is automatically excommunicated until they go repent.
 
I have a wide experience in evangelical and Fundamentalist churches and it is my opinion that nobody would consider it a rebuff if you declined their “communion.” In every place I’ve been, the question of whether or not to participate, even for members of that church, has been considered very much a personal decision.

Since St. Paul instructed us to examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 11), the common teaching is that God might bring something to your mind with which he is displeased, and you should abstain from communion if that matter needs to be made right. A common instance might be when a married couple has been quarreling and they need to repent in one another’s presence.

Therefore, if a visitor felt that he should not partake of communion, I believe that any onlooker would consider it par for the course. Furthermore, we are also taught not to look at others because of the personal nature of the decision. So an “onlooker” would acknowledge himself to be in error even before he could decide whether or not to pass judgment on you!

Your wife should not worry a bit. Your choice is commendable according to our traditions, and probably nobody cares.
 
U of L,

Let me echo what at least one other respondent said: that took guts, and you have my respect. I hope your wife makes her peace with it–and in fact, I hope that she will join the One True Church.
  • Liberian
 
When I asked someone on the staff at Liveprayer.com which is a Christian “Bible-Only” Fundamental Web Site, just to see an opinion on the opposite end of teh spectrum, he is what I got. Very typical!!

this is silly John…and I am not offended…it’s your problem…Communion

is the Remembrance of our Lord’s Sacrifice…if you don’t want to take it

that’s your choice…is you want to follow the rituals of your church that’s

up to you…btw, there’s nothing in the Bible that gives any instruction

the wafer and wine are literally the body and blood of Christ…that is

simply a man made tradition of the RC Church that has no Biblical support

whatsoever…follow God’s word not man’s traditions…

You will be in my prayers, be richly blessed,
 
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uofl19:
btw, there’s nothing in the Bible that gives any instruction

the wafer and wine are literally the body and blood of Christ…that is

simply a man made tradition of the RC Church that has no Biblical support

whatsoever…follow God’s word not man’s traditions…
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LOL! I see some serious bible quoting is in order here! :rotfl:

(and maybe even some early church father quotes too! 😉 )
 
Kevan, You’re Right, No you Can’t!!If anyone has any interest. This guy’s website is Liveprayer.com.

He does not come across on his website as Anti-Catholic, however I have seen him make statements that he is very much against that coincide against obvious Catholic teaching and Doctrine. He is based out of St. Pete Fla and has some overnight prayershow that is on local UPN affiliates all over Fla. If anyone from FLA is familiar with these or has been up overnight and seen one of these, what are they like??
 
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uofl19:
He does not come across on his website as Anti-Catholic, however I have seen him make statements that he is very much against that coincide against obvious Catholic teaching and Doctrine. He is based out of St. Pete Fla and has some overnight prayershow that is on local UPN affiliates all over Fla. If anyone from FLA is familiar with these or has been up overnight and seen one of these, what are they like??
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Ughh, I avoid those shows like the plague! Even when I was a Protestant I couldn’t stand 'em, and now I just sit and shake my head if I end up on a channel at night that is showing this stuff.

Still, I may have to just check it out sometime. I’m sure it’s on one of our million of Hallelujah channels on cable here. :ehh:
 
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