Pardon me for being dumb, but what is this really saying?
Be careful of reading the wrong thing into that quote. John Paul II is quoting his own
document on Ecumenism where he says:
- In this context, it is a source of joy to note that Catholic ministers are able, in certain particular cases, to administer the Sacraments of the Eucharist, Penance and Anointing of the Sick to Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church but who greatly desire to receive these sacraments, freely request them and manifest the faith which the Catholic Church professes with regard to these sacraments. Conversely, in specific cases and in particular circumstances, Catholics too can request these same sacraments from ministers of Churches in which these sacraments are valid. The conditions for such reciprocal reception have been laid down in specific norms; for the sake of furthering ecumenism these norms must be respected.78
The footnote there takes you to the
Code of Canon Law which is what spells out what those circumstances are:
Can. 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.
§2. Whenever necessity requires it or true spiritual advantage suggests it, and provided that danger of error or of indifferentism is avoided, the Christian faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a Catholic minister are permitted to receive the sacraments of penance, Eucharist, and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.
§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.
§4. If the danger of death is present or if, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or conference of bishops, some other grave necessity urges it, Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who seek such on their own accord, provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and are properly disposed.
This case would fall under §4. Note that the “certain particular cases” here are in “danger of death” or “some other grave necessity.” In general, having to wait nine months for the Easter Vigil does not constitute a “grave necessity” whereby an exception would be made. And even if it were “some other grave necessity”, that is the purview of the bishop to decide, not the pastor.
) for the first time this coming Easter. It’s going to mean so much to me when that happens. I want to go through RCIA by the book. No shortcuts, no special dispensations. I want to do the work and study I need to do so I really learn about what it is I’m trying to be a part of. When the time comes, it will be an incredible experience.