Is it okay to correct a priest in private?

[Mimi]

I attended an open Q & A session which was well attended at a local parish. One of the questions was:
When attending a non-Catholic service, should we go up for communion?

I’m sitting in the back, thinking “Fr. will hopefully say ‘No.’ , then explain why.” Instead, he said (after some story telling about a non-Catholic relative) that it could be okay in some situations, to show unity.

I’m fairly certain that is not correct. I want to call him or write an email to say the answer confused me; that I thought it was never right to participate in non-Catholic communion, since it is not the Eucharist (it’s not valid, nor do they have a valid priesthood). Fr. did not go into the validity part at all.

So – would someone please direct me to the CCC page or other Church document(s) that state why Catholics cannot participate in non-Catholic communion.

Thanks in advance,
Mimi

 

[kristanl]

I attended an open Q & A session which was well attended at a local parish. One of the questions was:
When attending a non-Catholic service, should we go up for communion?

I’m sitting in the back, thinking “Fr. will hopefully say ‘No.’ , then explain why.” Instead, he said (after some story telling about a non-Catholic relative) that it could be okay in some situations, to show unity.

I’m fairly certain that is not correct. I want to call him or write an email to say the answer confused me; that I thought it was never right to participate in non-Catholic communion, since it is not the Eucharist (it’s not valid, nor do they have a valid priesthood). Fr. did not go into the validity part at all.

So – would someone please direct me to the CCC page or other Church document(s) that state why Catholics cannot participate in non-Catholic communion.

Thanks in advance,
Mimi

Canon 844, #2, says that, as often as necessity requires it or genuine spiritual advantage recommends it, and provided that the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, the faithful, for whom it is physically or morally impossible to go to a Catholic minister, may receive the Sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

Whatever else might be said, I think it would be very unlikely that a Catholic living in ordinary circumstances in a large city would find it physically or morally impossible to receive the Eucharist from a Catholic minister. Therefore I do not believe you may receive the Eucharist at an Orthodox wedding. Even if all the conditions seemed to be present, a Catholic might stop to ask or consider how members of the other Church might feel about a non-member receiving Communion in their Church.

Taken from : americancatholic.org/Messenger/Oct1997/Wiseman.asp#F3

I dont know if there are other sources that say something different?
Hope this helps!

 

[diggerdomer]

I attended an open Q & A session which was well attended at a local parish. One of the questions was:
When attending a non-Catholic service, should we go up for communion?

I’m sitting in the back, thinking “Fr. will hopefully say ‘No.’ , then explain why.” Instead, he said (after some story telling about a non-Catholic relative) that it could be okay in some situations, to show unity.

I’m fairly certain that is not correct. I want to call him or write an email to say the answer confused me; that I thought it was never right to participate in non-Catholic communion, since it is not the Eucharist (it’s not valid, nor do they have a valid priesthood). Fr. did not go into the validity part at all.

So – would someone please direct me to the CCC page or other Church document(s) that state why Catholics cannot participate in non-Catholic communion.

Thanks in advance,
Mimi

I don’t know of any. I think your priest likely gave a good answer. Why don’t you trust him? Why don’t you ask him this question?

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Several years ago I asked this question of my pastor after mass one day. I had hoped for an explanation of why or why not it would be permissible to receive communion in a protestant church. He was in a hurry and just asked me (in an exasperated tone of voice), “Are you IN COMMUNION with that church.” That answered it for me.

The OP’s priest didn’t answer correctly. It is a scandal to received communion to show unity when true unity doesn’t exist. The Catholic understanding of the Eucharist is very different from that of many Protestant denominations.

I hope someone can answer the OP’s question. I can’t research it until later this weekend.

 

[paperwight]

I sometimes wonder, though - isn’t it charitable and the truth to show our unity on another level by receiving in a Protestant church? I don’t mean every week, i mean at shared services. We believe in the same Lord Jesus, unlike the majority of people in the world, we are trying to live by the same standards, ditto, we pray Thy Kingdom come, ditto - heavens, we even say the same Creed as some denominations.

My contention would be that unity DOES exist on some level. To whom is it showing scandal?

 

[Mimi]

I seem to recall hearing the answer on EWTN’s Open Line and/or Catholic Answers Live that we may not participate in non-Catholic communion. It’s basically a lie – making a physical act and assent that This is the Body of Christ in the wafer, when it is not (see #3 below).

to diggerdomer:

1. This is not MY priest. It was at another parish, though there were some there from my home parish.

Why don’t you ask him this question?

I’m thinking about it, but want to make sure I have correct info before doing so. I want to think about how to word my question/response.

1. I am considering changing parishes and wanted to check him out; seeing if he’d “fudge” on any questions, or just seeing how he answers people. He is v personable. He gave a real considerate answer to a question on dressing appropriately for Mass.
   This is not the only question to which he gave an answer which I’m fairly certain is not in line with Church teaching. I listen to EWTN a lot and have been studying apologetics informally. I want to know and grow in my faith to help protect Holy Mother Church; there is a lot of dissent here.
2. (paperweight: To whom is it showing scandal?)
   A protestant communion service is not the “real deal” since they don’t have valid orders, so receiving would be disruptive to the whole Body of Christ (all believers who ARE in communion with Rome). Why would I honor the schism (Luther’s rebellion)?
3. (Kristani) Canon 844
   This would seem to apply only in extreme circumstances, such as war, or other disaster. Say your area was hit like hurricane Katrina & it was impossible to travel to your parish & there was just not anything else available. I’m guessing.

I did find myself in an awkward position once at a Lutheran Christmas service. I was one of the musicians, who were placed in front and played during most of the communion part. The (female) minister came up to me after I’d finished playing, held up the wafer, and said “body of Christ”; all I could think to say was “No thank you.” I hoped the look on my face said “sorry”. Maybe I should’ve said something afterward? I couldn’t very well wear a badge that said “non-communicant”. . .

I’m just pretty fed up with having to watchdog and want to be somewhere where I know I don’t have to worry about questioning what is being taught. Most of the time it’s fine, but there have been incidences over the last few years that are upsetting.

Thank you for all responses so far.

God bless,
Mimi

 

[japhy]

isn’t it charitable and the truth to show our unity on another level by receiving in a Protestant church? … We believe in the same Lord Jesus, unlike the majority of people in the world, we are trying to live by the same standards, ditto, we pray Thy Kingdom come, … we even say the same Creed as some denominations.

We have a very different understanding of the Creed as many denominations that do confess that same Creed. What they interpret “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church” to mean and what we interpret it to mean are not the same. What they interpret “one baptism for the forgiveness of sins” and what we interpret it to mean are not the same.

We certainly don’t believe the same thing about Holy Communion! So why would receiving Communion with a Christian community that doesn’t believe the same thing about what Communion is be a good idea?

It could lead a person to think that the Catholic Church has changed her teaching on the Eucharist, or that it’s likewise just as legitimate to receive Communion in a Catholic church just because you’re there.

The Church teaches that the Most Holy Eucharist is both the sign and cause of communion in the Body of Christ. You do not receive Communion if you are not in communion with the Church. Likewise, you do not receive another community’s “Communion” if you are not in communion with that community.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I attended an open Q & A session which was well attended at a local parish. One of the questions was:
When attending a non-Catholic service, should we go up for communion?

I’m sitting in the back, thinking “Fr. will hopefully say ‘No.’ , then explain why.” Instead, he said (after some story telling about a non-Catholic relative) that it could be okay in some situations, to show unity.

I’m fairly certain that is not correct. I want to call him or write an email to say the answer confused me; that I thought it was never right to participate in non-Catholic communion, since it is not the Eucharist (it’s not valid, nor do they have a valid priesthood). Fr. did not go into the validity part at all.

So – would someone please direct me to the CCC page or other Church document(s) that state why Catholics cannot participate in non-Catholic communion.

Thanks in advance,
Mimi

A Catholic may NOT participate in the communion service of a Protestant Community. Just as a Protestant my NOT receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Church.

 

[Mimi]

A Catholic may NOT participate in the communion service of a Protestant Community. Just as a Protestant my NOT receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Church.

Yes, thank you for confirmation of my supposition; but can you (or anyone) also direct me to where this is clearly stated in any document (GIRM, Canon law)?

Also, what is the appropriate way to approach the priest who is in error in this teaching? I’ve read in other places that it is proper to address the priest first. If there are further problems, one should contact the diocese (Vicar General in particular).

This priest also told us that we need not fast from meat on Fridays, except during Lent. He did not seem confident about this answer.

Mimi

 

[Seatuck]

Catholics may not receive communion from non catholic churches that do not have valid holy orders. As you can see from the canon that has been quoted there are limitations even when they do.

See this Q&A

ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur131.htm
You can look up the church documents mentioned in the article.

 

[Mimi]

Catholics may not receive communion from non catholic churches that do not have valid holy orders. As you can see from the canon that has been quoted there are limitations even when they do.

See this Q&A

ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur131.htm
You can look up the church documents mentioned in the article.

Thanks, Seatuck. This is the solid information I was looking for.

I would have researched it myself, but many times I’ve entered a search term at the EWTN library and nothing came up.

God bless,
Mimi

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Yes, thank you for confirmation of my supposition; but can you (or anyone) also direct me to where this is clearly stated in any document (GIRM, Canon law)?

Also, what is the appropriate way to approach the priest who is in error in this teaching? I’ve read in other places that it is proper to address the priest first. If there are further problems, one should contact the diocese (Vicar General in particular).

This priest also told us that we need not fast from meat on Fridays, except during Lent. He did not seem confident about this answer.

Mimi

I’m sure you would find this in the Directory on Ecumenism or a related document to that one.

One does not need to Abstain, not Fast, from meat on Fridays outside of Lent as long as one practices another penance instead.

 

[Seatuck]

Thanks, Seatuck. This is the solid information I was looking for.

I would have researched it myself, but many times I’ve entered a search term at the EWTN library and nothing came up.

God bless,
Mimi

No Problem, Mimi. I can’t always find documents or writings I’ve seen before and have been bailed out by someone on a message board a time or two.

 

[Mimi]

More info, along with a nice history of the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays is found in the July-August issue of New Oxford Review; An Examination of Friday Penance by Brian A. Graebe. He is a seminarian of the Archdiocese of NY, summa cum laude grad of NYU in philosophy and pursued grad studies in classics at the American Academy in Rome.

The article is entirely readable and well written.

This issue is not online yet.
newoxfordreview.org/

I’ll let you know what, if anything, happens. I’m trying to help get word out about euthanasia legislation that has popped up & will be voted on next week in my state!

Please pray for an end to the Culture of Death

Mimi

 

[Mimi]

RE: fasting

I found quite a few questions and answers on fasting in searching This Rock:

catholic.com/thisrock/quickquestions/keyword/fasting

I dont’ think we ever hear about doing penance outside of Lent at our parish (and I’m usually paying attention).

I still have not called or written to Fr about his incomplete answer.

Would emailing him be appropriate? I always think of calling, and catching him out being a waste of my time & ties up his offc phones. If I email, I can send him directly to the link above. I would start with a compliment, of course. I also think an email give me a better chance to really think about the right way to word it. If I call, I might get toungue-tied…

Mimi

 

[LilyM]

"Canon 844

§1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone, who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone

without prejudice to the prescripts of §§2, 3, and 4 of this canon, and ⇒ can. 861, §2."

Following section says, as quoted above, that where it is morally or physically impossible to receive from a Catholic minister, a Catholic may approach a non-Catholic minister. The others are about when a Catholic minister may give the sacraments to those of other faiths so is not relevant.