Isn't it wrong for the priest to do this at a funeral Mass?

[contramundum7]

Isn’t it wrong for a priest to omit telling Protestants at a funeral Mass that they cannot receive Communion??

Only one priest in my history as a Catholic (that i can recall?) ever told the Protestants attending the Mass that they cannot receive (but they could receive a blessing).

Are our priests afraid of Protestants or something??

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Isn’t it wrong for a priest to omit telling Protestants at a funeral Mass that they cannot receive Communion??

Only one priest in my history as a Catholic (that i can recall?) ever told the Protestants attending the Mass that they cannot receive (but they could receive a blessing).

Are our priests afraid of Protestants or something??

It would have been most proper for him to make this announcement before Mass or before Holy Communion.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

Isn’t it wrong for a priest to omit telling Protestants at a funeral Mass that they cannot receive Communion??

Only one priest in my history as a Catholic (that i can recall?) ever told the Protestants attending the Mass that they cannot receive (but they could receive a blessing).

Are our priests afraid of Protestants or something??

I don’t know about “wrong,” but it would be a good practice to make that announcement (diplomatically), or include it in the program/order of service/or put a sign in the narthex or someting.

It would be wrong for him to *knowingly *give it to a Protestant.

 

[anamchara]

I don’t think it’s wrong. In fact I think it would be tacky especially if the family member of the deceased is a Protestant. Maybe they feel they don’t need to do this any more? I don’t know.

 

[jc-servant]

Our priest announced at a funeral on Friday, “if you are not Catholic and properly disposed to receive communion, you may come forward with arms crossed for a blessing.” I thought that was polite without ignoring the issue. Someone may still have been offended since lots of Protestants have symbolic and open communion, but you cannot please everyone.

 

[JGheen]

I was concerned about non-practicing Catholics receiving communion at my wedding and talked to the priest about it ahead of time. He said he always made an announcement before Communion at weddings and funerals because he knew these events drew non-practicing Catholics (and others) into Church.

His announcement was a reminder that Communion is reserved for practicing Catholics prepared to receive it (i.e. in a state of grace). He invited everyone else to come forward with their arms crossed and receive a blessing, so no one would feel singled out.

As far as I can tell, no one was offended. In fact, I think non-regular church goers were happy for some instruction. They can easily feel lost and unsure of what to do - the same probably applies to Protestants. My experience is that non-practicing Catholics will happily respect our customs, if they know what they are.

(Funny side story – I know a guy who wouldn’t kneel during the entire mass because someone told him that action was reserved for practicing Catholics only and he didn’t want to offend anyone. I laughed when he told me his reason for not kneeling. And I worry about the “Catholic” who seriously told him not to kneel. Seriously - learn you own religion!)

Anyway, I think these announcements are tremendously helpful at weddings and funerals. And of course, they should be made firmly but lovingly. However, it is not required to do.