Jail ministry: is it okay for non-Catholic prisoners to receive the Eucharist?

[cameron_lansing]

It depends on a variety of circumstances, a principal external condition being that the recipient is validly baptized. The other circumstances will be found at the link below.

Although an opinion at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops extensively cites the Catechism, which is not a legal text, the Catechism relies on canon 844. It also presents the bishop’s guidelines issued on November 14, 1996.

Since the opinion is a correct one and can be used safely, I recommend that it be reviewed by the original poster and those who gave quick responses without making reference to what the law of the Church actually is on the matter.

usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/mass/communion.shtml

People may, of course, present themselves deceitfully, and that happens outside of prisons too. The minister of Holy Communion will exercise some prudence about that. But the minister does have an obligation, I would think, to make clear to people in advance who may and may not receive.

The same is true of Catholics or others who are not in a state of grace. Since that pertains to the forum of conscience and is occult or hidden from public inspection, the minister is forced to rely on what a recipient says, unless he or she has the gift of reading the state of souls.

These guidelines, of course, pertain not only to jails, but other situations of Holy Communion outside of Mass such as nursing homes, in a military theater, etc., and within Mass itself.

As you will see, the conditions vary depending on the religion of the recipient. The danger of death is not required in all circumstances.

 

[thistle]

It depends on a variety of circumstances, a principal external condition being that the recipient is validly baptized. The other circumstances will be found at the link below.

Although an opinion at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops extensively cites the Catechism, which is not a legal text, the Catechism relies on canon 844. It also presents the bishop’s guidelines issued on November 14, 1996.

Since the opinion is a correct one and can be used safely, I recommend that it be reviewed by the original poster and those who gave quick responses without making reference to what the law of the Church actually is on the matter.

usccb.org/liturgy/q&a/mass/communion.shtml

People may, of course, present themselves deceitfully, and that happens outside of prisons too. The minister of Holy Communion will exercise some prudence about that. But the minister does have an obligation, I would think, to make clear to people in advance who may and may not receive.

The same is true of Catholics or others who are not in a state of grace. Since that pertains to the forum of conscience and is occult or hidden from public inspection, the minister is forced to rely on what a recipient says, unless he or she has the gift of reading the state of souls.

These guidelines, of course, pertain not only to jails, but other situations of Holy Communion outside of Mass such as nursing homes, in a military theater, etc., and within Mass itself.

As you will see, the conditions vary depending on the religion of the recipient. The danger of death is not required in all circumstances.

“Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4).”

“Canon 844
§4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.”

**
“exceptional circumstances”, “danger of death”, “other grave or pressing need”.**

None of these situations apply to non-Catholic Christian prisoners who simply want to receive Communion every Sunday.

 

[palmas85]

No, they are not supposed to receive Holy Communion.

Why is that such a hard thing for people to grasp? Non Catholics are not suppossed to receive Holy Communion except in very rare and extreme conditions.

I really don’t understand why so many people have such a difficult time with this particular concept and rule.

 

[cameron_lansing]

thistle:

. . .
**
“exceptional circumstances”, “danger of death”, “other grave or pressing need”.**

None of these situations apply to non-Catholic Christian prisoners who simply want to receive Communion every Sunday.

Thistle,

The code distinguishes eligibility for baptized non Catholics to receive depending on their religion. So we need to consider paragraph 3 as well as paragraph 4 which you posted. They speak of people in two different religious situations. The two should not be confused.

Paragraph 3 addresses baptized non Catholics who are belong to an Eastern Orthodox Church, the Polish National Catholic Church, or the Assyrian Church of the East.

“§3. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick licitly to members of Eastern Churches which do not have full communion with the Catholic Church if they seek such on their own accord and are properly disposed. This is also valid for members of other Churches which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition in regard to the sacraments as these Eastern Churches.”

Paragraph 4 addresses others who do not belong to those Churches, such as baptized Protestants (not all are baptized) of whatever denomination. As to these others, note that apart from danger of death, the judgement in §4 about such a grave necessity belongs to the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, rather than to any of us. Those taking Holy Communion to prisons, hospitals or nursing homes are obliged to know what the diocesan bishop has determined, to obey his determination, and to consult him (or whomever he authorizes for this) in doubtful manners.

And I probably should have mentioned that I referenced the USCCB material. The material of other episcopal conferences for cases outside the US and Virgin Islands would have to be viewed in those cases.