Non-Catholic taking Eucharist

[JaKael02]

Good afternoon,

Background:
A person close to me is a non-denominational Protestant. This person receives the Eucharist at Catholic Mass regularly and is fully aware of the Church teaching that you must be in full communion. This person believes in the real presense of Christ in the Eucharist. Each time I mention the Church teaching, the person says, “Don’t take Christ away from me”.

Rarely attends the non-denominational services anymore & does not receive their communion. Lastly, this person does not want to enter RCIA because they consider themselves a Christian and the process is long and does not sound exciting.

Question:
How can I further this person along & encourage them to either enter RCIA or stop taking Holy Communion?

Thank you,

James K.

 

[pablope]

Good afternoon,

Background:
A person close to me is a non-denominational Protestant. This person receives the Eucharist at Catholic Mass regularly and is fully aware of the Church teaching that you must be in full communion. This person believes in the real presense of Christ in the Eucharist. Each time I mention the Church teaching, the person says, “Don’t take Christ away from me”.

Rarely attends the non-denominational services anymore & does not receive their communion. Lastly, this person does not want to enter RCIA because they consider themselves a Christian and the process is long and does not sound exciting.

Question:
How can I further this person along & encourage them to either enter RCIA or stop taking Holy Communion?

Thank you,

James K.

1). Alert the parish priest to the situation…so that the priest can have a one on one talk with him.

2). Notify those more who have more influence over him than you…who are also catholics, of course, and have them talk to him.

 

[nickybr38]

I would also point out to this person that when they take Communion they are not only receiving Jesus, but they are making a public testament that they believe all that the Catholic Church believes AND they accept the authority of the Catholic Church.

Ask your friend if this is true. If it’s not, do they really want to be giving the world the impression that it IS true?

And if it is true, if they do accept all that the Church teaches and if they accept the authority of the Church, then they should seek to be in Communion with the Church using the proper means set up BY the Church.

 

[littlechicken]

I think if the person believes in The Real Presence, you could kindly inform them that part of the reception of Communion is agreeing in a formal manner with the Church’s teaching.
I am amazed that someone can believe in The Real Presence and NOT be Catholic. It was when someone told me about Holy Communion that was a turning point in my anti-Catholic thinking. I believed instantly, following closely was the thought "if they’re right about this, and they are the only “Religion” that teaches such, what else are they right about?
And the rest is history.

As for RCIA not being exciting? I had a friend attend some Masses with me and they said they felt bored, unexcited during.
I told them it isn’t always about a “feeling”, but rather reasoning and faith. I then pointed out how often “feelings” can lead a person astray.

I wish you, and your friend much luck with this, it sounds like a hopeful situation.
You may also tell your friend kindly that as a Catholic, you are obligated to inform them of what they are doing wrong. It might be helpful if they see that The Holy Eucharist is indeed to be defended, and not taken lightly.

littlechicken

 

[Dubay]

If we expect the Priests to also be the communion police we are setting ourselves up for failure. This same issue would involve so many other Catholics in mortal sin, divorced without annullments, etc. Where does it end

I would just discuss the respect factor and let his conscience guide him.

 

[Mystophilus]

Good afternoon,

Background:
A person close to me is a non-denominational Protestant. This person receives the Eucharist at Catholic Mass regularly and is fully aware of the Church teaching that you must be in full communion. This person believes in the real presense of Christ in the Eucharist. Each time I mention the Church teaching, the person says, “Don’t take Christ away from me”.

Rarely attends the non-denominational services anymore & does not receive their communion. Lastly, this person does not want to enter RCIA because they consider themselves a Christian and the process is long and does not sound exciting.

Question:
How can I further this person along & encourage them to either enter RCIA or stop taking Holy Communion?

You could try pointing out that the person is actually causing the priest or minister who gives the Eucharist to fall into violation of canon law: “Can. 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ’s faithful”. Therefore, your friend has an obligation to the priest, a duty of loving one’s neighbour, to stop doing this until s/he has properly entered the Catholic Church.

 

[JerryZ]

If we expect the Priests to also be the communion police we are setting ourselves up for failure. This same issue would involve so many other Catholics in mortal sin, divorced without annullments, etc. Where does it end

I would just discuss the respect factor and let his conscience guide him.

hmm that is a dangerous assertion to make, “Communion Police?”
St Paul warns us that to take Holy Communnion when we are not worthy that is to say not made right by confession and absolution we are in fact bringing judgement upon ourselves.
Any Catholic taking communion while still under mortal sin is guilty of blasphemy and desecration and needs to address and correct the situation immediately.
And also this makes for scandal in the church, we are obbligated to see that this is not so, read St. Paul epistles on the subject.

 

[JaKael02]

This has been all great advice. I’m going to take tid-bits from what everyone said and address this person again. I think it’ll remind them of the importance.

I’m hopeful they will one-day join RCIA.

Thanks again!

 

[Dubay]

hmm that is a dangerous assertion to make, “Communion Police?”
St Paul warns us that to take Holy Communnion when we are not worthy that is to say not made right by confession and absolution we are in fact bringing judgement upon ourselves.
Any Catholic taking communion while still under mortal sin is guilty of blasphemy and desecration and needs to address and correct the situation immediately.
And also this makes for scandal in the church, we are obbligated to see that this is not so, read St. Paul epistles on the subject.

To make Priests be the police is just unrealistic. It would have Catholics leaving the faith in flocks, to save potential embarrassment. No one would want to risk taking communion and then be told you cannot because of a past sin and look foolish in front of whole congregation. Many Catholics don’t know abc of the religion and would not want the added pressure.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

You could try pointing out that the person is actually causing the priest or minister who gives the Eucharist to fall into violation of canon law: “Can. 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ’s faithful”. Therefore, your friend has an obligation to the priest, a duty of loving one’s neighbour, to stop doing this until s/he has properly entered the Catholic Church.

In reading the OP and your response I was reminded of some cases of prominent non-Catholics receiving communion at Mass, e.g. President Bill Clinton and Br. Roger of Taizé (Br. Roger from the pope, no less–at least as I recall). I’m curious how Catholics decide which non-Catholics are allowed to receive communion and which ones are not.

From at outsider’s viewpoint this seems a bit hypocritical in light of the Canon Law you quoted.

 

[thistle]

In reading the OP and your response I was reminded of some cases of prominent non-Catholics receiving communion at Mass, e.g. President Bill Clinton and Br. Roger of Taizé (Br. Roger from the pope, no less–at least as I recall). I’m curious how Catholics decide which non-Catholics are allowed to receive communion and which ones are not.

From at outsider’s viewpoint this seems a bit hypocritical in light of the Canon Law you quoted.

If you search the other threads on this you will find what you stated is not true.

As for this thread there is no decision made on what non-Catholics may or may not receive.
Non-Catholics may NOT receive and Catholics in a state of mortal sin may NOT receive.

The only exception, and it would be extremely rare, to allow a non-Catholic to receive is found in Can 844. There would have to be a grave reason such as near death and the person would have to demonstrate they held Catholic beliefs.
Such an exception most certainly would not apply to Bill Clinton.

 

[Mystophilus]

In reading the OP and your response I was reminded of some cases of prominent non-Catholics receiving communion at Mass, e.g. President Bill Clinton and Br. Roger of Taizé (Br. Roger from the pope, no less–at least as I recall). I’m curious how Catholics decide which non-Catholics are allowed to receive communion and which ones are not.

From at outsider’s viewpoint this seems a bit hypocritical in light of the Canon Law you quoted.

I would hope that it works on the understanding that laws are meant for most occasions, but can be waived under sufficiently-important conditions. I cannot recall anything about the Catholic Church having claimed that canon law is infallible, infallibility being the only thing which would just mandatory, universal adherence to it.

See also 844.2-4, and the considerations of unusual circumstances there, and 844.5, which demonstrates a concern for “poaching”. It is not purely isolationist in its intent.

 

[Dave_Noonan]

I would hope that it works on the understanding that laws are meant for most occasions, but can be waived under sufficiently-important conditions. I cannot recall anything about the Catholic Church having claimed that canon law is infallible, infallibility being the only thing which would just mandatory, universal adherence to it.

See also 844.2-4, and the considerations of unusual circumstances there, and 844.5, which demonstrates a concern for “poaching”. It is not purely isolationist in its intent.

Sure, I understand that exceptions are at least theoretically possible, and because the restrictions themselves spring from Canon Law, this would sound more like a matter of church discipline rather than something doctrinal or dogmatic–similar to the celibate priesthood.

But I still don’t quite get why if you’re someone famous or of note that exceptions are made. Or maybe it’s that we only hear about it when famous non-Catholics are allowed to receive communion? Seems like a slippery slope that would at least partially validate the objection raised by James’s friend in the OP.

 

[JonNC]

Good afternoon,

Background:
A person close to me is a non-denominational Protestant. This person receives the Eucharist at Catholic Mass regularly and is fully aware of the Church teaching that you must be in full communion. This person believes in the real presense of Christ in the Eucharist. Each time I mention the Church teaching, the person says, “Don’t take Christ away from me”.

Rarely attends the non-denominational services anymore & does not receive their communion. Lastly, this person does not want to enter RCIA because they consider themselves a Christian and the process is long and does not sound exciting.

Question:
How can I further this person along & encourage them to either enter RCIA or stop taking Holy Communion?

Thank you,

James K.

James,
I’m not sure how to help you encourage your friend into RCIA, but from the standpoint of the bolded, it seems your friend could be reminded that to go into a neighbor’s house and do precisely what they ask you not to do is disrespectful at the least. ISTM that this approach is clearly not the manner or approach that is appropriate to receiving His body and blood.
I have been to Catholic mass numerous times, and I do not venture up to receive for two reasons: 1) Our communions are not in communion with each other, and both hold to the belief that we should be in order to receive (pray that day comes soon when we are). I respect both communion too much to violate this teaching. 2) To receive in a serupticious manner such as this is plain poor manners.

Jon

 

[JaKael02]

I have been to Catholic mass numerous times, and I do not venture up to receive for two reasons: 1) Our communions are not in communion with each other, and both hold to the belief that we should be in order to receive (pray that day comes soon when we are).

What is an evangelical Catholic? How are the communions not in union? Just curious. Thanks! BTW, thanks for the advice.

 

[Church_Militant]

It’s not for the individual to decide they are properly disposed in this matter. Being an n-C (at least at this point) it is a matter that needs the priest’s discernment and instruction as per Pope John Paul the Great’s encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, and especially in the chapter here.

 

[JonNC]

​

What is an evangelical Catholic? How are the communions not in union? Just curious. Thanks! BTW, thanks for the advice.

think of it has the Lutheran version of High Church. Lutherans and Catholics are not in communion, at least not yet. Pray the day comes.

Jon

 

[BettyBoop416]

To receive in a serupticious manner such as this is plain poor manners.

Agreed. It’s kind of like going to someone’s house and purposely disobeying the “rules” set in that household. It’s just plain rude.

 

[Catholic80]

Good afternoon,

Background:
A person close to me is a non-denominational Protestant. This person receives the Eucharist at Catholic Mass regularly and is fully aware of the Church teaching that you must be in full communion. This person believes in the real presense of Christ in the Eucharist. Each time I mention the Church teaching, the person says, “Don’t take Christ away from me”.

Rarely attends the non-denominational services anymore & does not receive their communion. Lastly, this person does not want to enter RCIA because they consider themselves a Christian and the process is long and does not sound exciting.

Question:
How can I further this person along & encourage them to either enter RCIA or stop taking Holy Communion?

Thank you,

James K.

If he believes the Eucharist is the true presence, then why doesn’t he become Catholic? Also, like some already stated, your friend doesn’t respect the true presence because he is being disobedient.

“Don’t take Christ away from me” ??? You are not taking Christ away from him! For example, if we take Communion in the state of mortal sin, this doesn’t draw us closer to Christ, but further from Him! If your friend is being disobedient to the Church, he is committing a grave, possibly mortal sin, by receiving the Eucharist. (One hopes his ignorance is keeping him from it being a mortal sin) Either way, you have an obligation to tell your priest about this… for your friend’s sake.