Jesuits and Inter-communion Question

[Cradle]

I recently met a man who claims the Jesuits in Guelph, who run a retreat centre, have a “dispensation” to hold an “open communion table”. That is, any retreatant there may receive the Eucharist (!), whether they are Catholic or not. Apparently it’s to be “invitational” and it “helps” them in their spiritual journey to receive Christ (his position… ). He had all this mumbo-jumbo about there being nothing wrong with non-Catholics receiving the Eucharist because of “openness” and “forgiveness” (misappropriated) and whatnot…
Oy. Anyway, this guy had more issues with the Church than your everyday Protestant… Fun lunch-time topic that was.

So this guy was raised Catholic but then essentially turned and picked and chose his spirituality to the point that now he holds a very Protestant way of thinking (re sacraments, Church authority, revealed truth, etc.) and works as a pastor for a couple of Protestant churches. He calls himself Catholic but not “under the bishop” (yeah… lol), so he has left the faith according to the Church. To his credit he does not receive Communion normally (but only because of the symbol of union aspect); however, he does receive at the retreat centre in Guelph (he was like, the Jesuits have a different understanding of these things than the Church… sad and funny at the same time) because, according to him, they have a dispensation to do this.**

Now my question is,** is there such a dispensation or indult or whatever from Rome for the Jesuits at this retreat centre to give Communion to non-Catholics (or Catholics who have left the Church), or is this claim bogus? Are these Jesuits just being bad Jesuits? But if it isn’t bogus, what does it mean in light of the Church’s teaching re: the Eucharist and sacramental/ecclesial communion, mortal sin, etc?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bpbasilphx]

So you met a man who told you that a priest told him he had open Communion.

Are you sure there’s not a possibility that something got garbled before it reached you?

 

[japhy]

If what you say is true, I doubt the Blessed Sacrament is even being confected at all. It doesn’t sound like the priest intends to produce the Eucharist as the Church intends.

 

[1ke]

No such “dispensation” or “indult” exists.

 

[LilyM]

I know many Orthodox churches will have, in their liturgies, in addition to the actual Eucharist, the antidoron (blessed but not consecrated) bread which is distributed to the congregation after the liturgy. Often even to non-Orthodox or others who are otherwise unable to commune.

Perhaps what is happening in this case is something similar - some sort of ‘agape meal’ or ‘love feast’ which isn’t actually the Catholic Eucharist but does involve blessed bread and/or wine.

Even if this is the case it would seem to me a dangerous practice - leading to much confusion, I am sure, among the non-Catholics who may wrongly believe they are receiving the Catholic sacrament.

 

[Cradle]

So you met a man who told you that a priest told him he had open Communion.

Are you sure there’s not a possibility that something got garbled before it reached you?

No, he told me he receives Communion with the Jesuits there because they have “open” Communion.

So there isn’t any such dispensation? Has anyone here had any contact with this retreat centre?

And, no, from what I could tell, we’re definitely talking about the Eucharist here. This man used to be Catholic, and he seemed to be knowledgeable (although clouded…).

 

[japhy]

No, he told me he receives Communion with the Jesuits there because they have “open” Communion.

So there isn’t any such dispensation? Has anyone here had any contact with this retreat centre?

There is no such “open Communion” dispensation/indult. It would shatter the very meaning of Holy Communion.

The Guelph Jesuits? I’ve never been there. However, they offer a “Mysticism of Earth: An Ignatian Ecology Retreat” which says: “Experiencing God’s presence through reverent interaction with the lush growth and picturesque scenery of the Ignatius Jesuit Centre, it is our hope that participants will be inspired toward hope-filled action that nurtures the healing powers of the Earth.” Sounds silly to me.

Their Mission & History page is either lacking the “Mission” part altogether, or it’s muddled in there. Doesn’t mention God, Jesus, or Christ at all, though.

 

[1ke]

No, he told me he receives Communion with the Jesuits there because they have “open” Communion.

Then they are violating Canon Law and the fundamental doctrines of the Church and should be reported.

So there isn’t any such dispensation?

No

Has anyone here had any contact with this retreat centre?

No, thank God.

. This man used to be Catholic, and he seemed to be knowledgeable (although clouded…).

If he were **actually **knowledgeable, as opposed to “seeming” knowledgeable, he would still be a Catholic

 

[Sr_Sally]

No, he told me he receives Communion with the Jesuits there because they have “open” Communion.

So there isn’t any such dispensation? Has anyone here had any contact with this retreat centre?

And, no, from what I could tell, we’re definitely talking about the Eucharist here. This man used to be Catholic, and he seemed to be knowledgeable (although clouded…).

Sounds like a job for Crandle! Call the retreat center yourself and ask about their practices. It may be just one priest. It may be this man you met is confused.

 

[twf]

I’ve heard of a similar situation with a group of Jesuits here in Canada…

 

[Cradle]

Well, thank God… I should not have been so worried over this “dispensation” that he claimed existed, should have known it was bogus. But thank you so much, my fears have been assuaged.

As for calling them, they’re all the way on the other side of the country…

twf, Guelph is in Canada . These must be the Jesuits you’ve heard of.

 

[eddy1]

…

As for calling them, they’re all the way on the other side of the country…

loyola@loyolahouse.ca