Church of Finland is related to the Church of Sweden. Neither has ever been particularly Confessional, even in the places where they’re predominantly Lutheran. This lack of discipline in ecumenical matters and utter abandonment of sound doctrine is hardly surprising.
The Lutherans were going up for a Blessing. The Catholic Priest who was giving communion didn’t recognize their hand posture as a request for a blessing.
Perhaps people receive the Eucharist because Christ invited us to eat and drink.
:sad_yes: And in every single parish I have ever attended in my life, they ALL receive communion without a hitch. Are they all squeaky clean? Let’s not go there.
They (Catholics ) come in all kinds.
Even if I don’t hold to the Anglican (or any non-Catholic) belief in the Eucharist?
Good post.
It doesn’t appear that they were presenting themselves to receive the sacrament, but only a blessing. OTOH, it seems to me that the very idea of ecumenism is the hope that we can receive the sacrament together. It just isn’t proper for it to happen until unity is achieved
I agree. For whatever reason, protocol was not followed - on the Catholic side it would appear. I don’t think we know if the gesture was intentional or not. So perhaps it is prudent to keep that in mind.
Absolutely. I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with what you believe or don’t believe - that can change on a daily basis. It has to do with what Christ offers each of us.
In the Episcopal Church, yes absolutely. The Eucharist is presented every mass as “the gifts of God for the people of God” and that means all Christians regardless of denomination. It’s on the congregant if they don’t feel it’s appropriate to receive. But the Episcopal Church welcomes all Christians to the table to receive the gifts of God.
But we have to present ourselves worthily. The Catholic Church believes that in order to receive Communion, you must have been to Confession first (within at least 1 year) and be free of mortal sin. Otherwise, it’s sacrilege.
What does the Episcopal Church do with the crumbs from Communion?
Depends on which Episcopalian you ask. Most common would be to dispose of the fragments of the Blessed Body, by eating. Consecrated wafers not adminstered can be reserved. The Holy Blood remaining is most commonly consumed, by clergy/acolytes, if required.
I will assume that the common practice of General Confession is still the norm in any Episcopal Communion. If so, the Anglican position is that such is efficacious for the necessary state of the communicant.
Won’t speak for all Episcopal churches, but any crumbs are either consumed directly, or if too small deposited in the remaining wine/blood before it too is consumed by the presiding priest at my parish and the parishes I’ve been to.
You would be correct as far as my experience goes. We do still practice General Confession where I attend. And it is seen as sufficient to place a communicant in a state worthy to receive. However one on one confession is available should a communicant desire (obviously not during the mass however).
Have we uncovered sufficient proof that this was an accident? I think we could be making rash judgement if we say it’s an accident without proof.
