Non-Catholics and Communion

[Rolltide]

So, if the Roman Catholic Church, and those in union with her, and the Eastern Orthodox Church and the like feel that you must be a member first, can we assume that this teaching came from the Apostles?

LOL… Well, WE can, but you might get an argument from Protestants!

 

[JonNC]

I’m trying to think if this has been mentioned, but close communion is not just a Catholic or Orthodox practice. Missouri Synod Lutherans also require full communion (in theory) in order for a member of another denomination to commune.

 

[ralphinal]

I’m trying to think if this has been mentioned, but close communion is not just a Catholic or Orthodox practice. Missouri Synod Lutherans also require full communion (in theory) in order for a member of another denomination to commune.

I think that the Wisconson do as well.

The whole thing reeks of political correctness to me. The argument that full communion is not needed is a very modern concept. I doubt that any early non-Catholic Chrisians would have wanted to. Besides, just come on in, the water is fine.

 

[holdencaulfield]

Heck no. From what my Orthodox friends tell me, their Priests are even stricter about enforcing Eucharistic discipline than their Catholic counterparts. I’ve been told a number of times by different folks that, generally, if the Priest doesn’t know you, he’ll ask you if you’re Orthodox (and might ask if you’ve been to confession recently)before he gives you communion.

Nice.

 

[Hesychios]

Heck no. From what my Orthodox friends tell me, their Priests are even stricter about enforcing Eucharistic discipline than their Catholic counterparts. I’ve been told a number of times by different folks that, generally, if the Priest doesn’t know you, he’ll ask you if you’re Orthodox (and might ask if you’ve been to confession recently)before he gives you communion.

This is correct.

It is advisable to phone ahead to the rectory with an explanation of who one is and when one’s last confession was, that sort of thing. Otherwise it is necessary get there before morning prayer and speak with the priest. If he meets one for the first time in line, he might turn that person away (in the nicest possible way). This goes for Orthodox from outside the parish as much as anyone else.

If I called ahead to a parish I was going to visit on vacation, that priest will very likely ask me who my pastor and bishop is, and he might call them. After that conversation he will know what to say to me in the communion line.

http://ocaphoto.oca.org/filetmp/2005/February/877/Detail/DSC_0047.jpg

Rather than risk embarrassment, some visitors will not present themselves for communion if they have not had a chance to speak with the pastor first. They will meet him at the end of liturgy when we venerate the cross, and of course father will invite them to join us for hospitality after liturgy .

*Michael

*http://ocaphoto.oca.org/filetmp/2005/February/866/Detail/DSC_0059.jpg

 

[Hesychios]

I suspect Protestants and Catholics alike will feel very foolish in heaven, to see how much time we wasted on earth majoring in the minors - and thus depriving others of the knowledge of Christ.

O+

A very quotable quote here.