Pope Francis quote used by parish to encourage Communion while in a state of mortal sin

[vir_fidelis]

I visited the Los Angeles area this past weekend. In looking for the mass schedule at St. Monica parish in Santa Monica, I found the following in a FAQ on Mass on their website:

I haven’t been to confession nor have I been to church in years. Can I still receive Communion?

Pope Francis said, “Reception of Communion is not a prize for the perfect, but healing for sinners.” We all fall short of the glory of God, yet are called to the table to be healed. Any Catholic can come forward to receive Communion.

The page can be viewed at this link:

stmonica.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=157&Itemid=651

I was shocked to read this. Has anyone else seen this Pope Francis quote used this way?

 

[Billy112]

No, I have not, but I really hate to see how he’s being distorted so badly. I’ve read articles where it made it sound as if he is some “reformer” who is going to make the Church finally not be so strict and tell it to get with the times. It seems as if many forget he’s the Pope!

You might try asking somebody at your parish about it, whoever’s in charge of the website, maybe, and then alerting the bishop of your diocese about it if nothing changes. It’s a great thing to make sure all feel welcome, but welcoming in a disordered way is not at all right. I’ll pray for this situation and hope it can be resolved in some way.

 

[Faxero]

Those who reject and distort the truth are on the path to Hell.

 

[MichaelTDoyle]

Shouldn’t someone make sure the Parish Priest knows about this? and if so then let the Bishop of the diocese know? Something needs to be added regarding the sacrament of Confession here perhaps.

 

[Neofight]

Let’s slow down just a bit. It seems many posters are jumping to conclusions, including the OP in the title of the thread.

Nowhere do I see, in the words on the website, encouraging “Communion while in the state of mortal sin”.

It is quite possible to have not attended church for years without being in the state of mortal sin.

The state of mortal sin is not for bystanders to decide. Christ told us clearly that before pointing out the splinter in the eye of another, we should take the plank out of our own eye.

St. Augustine wrote that the more se examine ourselves, we find the sins of others are insignificant compared to our own.

 

[aicirt]

Pope Francis has been known to actually hear confessions in St. Peter’s. I don’t know how any Catholic can think you can go up and receive with mortal sins on your soul. I learned that in first grade by the good Sisters of Charity. Her sweet explanation was if you have sinned, your heart is dirty. You are expecting Christ to come and enter your heart when your receive communion. Just like you and your Mom clean for company, so must you rid your heart of dust and dirt before Christ comes. So go to Confession and get your heart scrubbed clean.

I don’t think going up for a blessing during Communion is “kosher” either. Might want to check that. I believe only those who can receive should be going up.

 

[smead2942]

Pope Francis has been known to actually hear confessions in St. Peter’s. I don’t know how any Catholic can think you can go up and receive with mortal sins on your soul. I learned that in first grade by the good Sisters of Charity. Her sweet explanation was if you have sinned, your heart is dirty. You are expecting Christ to come and enter your heart when your receive communion. Just like you and your Mom clean for company, so must you rid your heart of dust and dirt before Christ comes. So go to Confession and get your heart scrubbed clean.

I don’t think going up for a blessing during Communion is “kosher” either. Might want to check that. I believe only those who can receive should be going up.

Until last year I didn’t know confession had anything to do with reception of Holy Communion. Most Catholics anymore are so poorly catechized that they don’t know the basic disciplines, doctrines and dogmas of the faith.

 

[aicirt]

Until last year I didn’t know confession had anything to do with reception of Holy Communion. Most Catholics anymore are so poorly catechized that they don’t know the basic disciplines, doctrines and dogmas of the faith.

WOW! I was catechized before Vatican II.

Best way to begin would be for the priests to address it from the pulpit. It is no surprise to them or anyone else that ALL go up for Communion but hardly any show up for confession. What would be wrong with doing a sermon on how to examine one’s conscience. Then declare if you have any of these mortal sins on your soul, don’t come for Communion. Come to Confession first next Saturday.

 

[steve_b]

It is quite possible to have not attended church for years without being in the state of mortal sin.

Deliberately missing mass even once, is a mortal sin.

The state of mortal sin is not for bystanders to decide. Christ told us clearly that before pointing out the splinter in the eye of another, we should take the plank out of our own eye.

Quite the contrary

As John teaches

1 Jn 5: 16 If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God**(“1 jn 5 RSVCE - Faith Conquers the World - Every one - Bible Gateway”)] will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.
N:

St. Augustine wrote that the more se examine ourselves, we find the sins of others are insignificant compared to our own.

Without a proper reference, that is not a quote from Augustine.

 

[Rosebud77]

My take on this is that the Holy Father doe not realise or take into consideration that not everyone who hears him has the same wide and exact background of faith, church teaching etc I saw this very clearly when he spoke so lovingly to and re homosexuals and then they thought he meant else than he did and assumed he meant it was OK to be gay. The fallout was considerable . Here he assumes we all know re mortal sin etc?So he is RIGHT but !

 

[adrift]

Let’s slow down just a bit. It seems many posters are jumping to conclusions, including the OP in the title of the thread.

Nowhere do I see, in the words on the website, encouraging “Communion while in the state of mortal sin”.

It is quite possible to have not attended church for years without being in the state of mortal sin.

The state of mortal sin is not for bystanders to decide. Christ told us clearly that before pointing out the splinter in the eye of another, we should take the plank out of our own eye.

St. Augustine wrote that the more se examine ourselves, we find the sins of others are insignificant compared to our own.

Any Catholic can come forward to receive Communion.

This is incorrectly stated as it should be qualified as any Catholic who is in the state of grace. As stated is does encourage reception in mortal sin. The statement as quoted indicates the person asking knows it is wrong to not go to Mass. Objectively, since as you rightly state you cannot truly know the state of soul, a person who does not attend Mass on Holy days is committing a mortal sin. Therefore to state any Catholic may come to Communion that has not attended mass for years without first going to confession is encouraging the reception in mortal sin.

 

[christofirst]

Let’s slow down just a bit. It seems many posters are jumping to conclusions, including the OP in the title of the thread.

Nowhere do I see, in the words on the website, encouraging “Communion while in the state of mortal sin”.

It is quite possible to have not attended church for years without being in the state of mortal sin.

The state of mortal sin is not for bystanders to decide. Christ told us clearly that before pointing out the splinter in the eye of another, we should take the plank out of our own eye.

St. Augustine wrote that the more se examine ourselves, we find the sins of others are insignificant compared to our own.

It should also be noted that St. Monica’s is one of the only parishes on the west side of Los Angeles to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation every day of the week, and I can say from experience that there are long lines outside the confessional there every day. Despite what I agree is a poor choice of wording in that FAQ section, I know it is not their intent that people should receive Our Lord while stubbornly remaining in sin. A person can disagree with some of their methods, but no one can deny their success. They are all about reaching out to those on the fringes of both the Church and society, with the goal of full reconciliation and communion.

 

[smead2942]

WOW! I was catechized before Vatican II.

Best way to begin would be for the priests to address it from the pulpit. It is no surprise to them or anyone else that ALL go up for Communion but hardly any show up for confession. What would be wrong with doing a sermon on how to examine one’s conscience. Then declare if you have any of these mortal sins on your soul, don’t come for Communion. Come to Confession first next Saturday.

I now typically go to confession every 2-3 weeks. Of my 400-family parish, the most people I’ve ever seen in line for the confessional is 3. I’m in no position to judge the state of my fellow parishioners’ souls, but I find it hard to believe the other thousand people are in God’s grace 100% of the time.

Priests these days are too focused on ear-tickling. It’s that “Spirit of Vatican II” garbage that is damning souls and withholding the Truth from Catholics.

 

[smead2942]

This is incorrectly stated as it should be qualified as any Catholic who is in the state of grace. As stated is does encourage reception in mortal sin. The statement as quoted indicates the person asking knows it is wrong to not go to Mass. Objectively, since as you rightly state you cannot truly know the state of soul, a person who does not attend Mass on Holy days is committing a mortal sin. Therefore to state any Catholic may come to Communion that has not attended mass for years without first going to confession is encouraging the reception in mortal sin.

Priests and other religious educators do not preach about mortal sin and obligation, so it’s safe to say most people only receive while in sin out of sheer ignorance. Pray reparation prayers daily! catholicdoors.com/prayers/litanies/p03502.htm

 

[marymary1975]

Let’s slow down just a bit. It seems many posters are jumping to conclusions, including the OP in the title of the thread.

Nowhere do I see, in the words on the website, encouraging “Communion while in the state of mortal sin”.

It is quite possible to have not attended church for years without being in the state of mortal sin.

The state of mortal sin is not for bystanders to decide. Christ told us clearly that before pointing out the splinter in the eye of another, we should take the plank out of our own eye.

St. Augustine wrote that the more se examine ourselves, we find the sins of others are insignificant compared to our own.

I don’t think people are jumping to conclusions. If you read what the OP says it reads “Any catholic”. Any means any catholic person no matter what so while it doesn’t says directly that someone in state of mortal sin can, it certainly implies that. The way is worded is indirectly suggesting that regardless of being in a state of mortal sin you can take communion.

 

[mamlukman]

I read the statement in the link, and it does quite clearly say that “any Catholic” can come forward and receive communion. Of course this is contrary to church teaching–any Catholic in a state of grace. It doesn’t mean you are sinless, but it does mean you have confessed any mortal sins.

At best, this is misleading.

 

[Neofight]

Deliberately missing mass even once, is a mortal sin.

Quite the contrary

As John teaches

1 Jn 5: 16 If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God**(“1 jn 5 RSVCE - Faith Conquers the World - Every one - Bible Gateway”)] will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.

Without a proper reference, that is not a quote from Augustine.

Of course it is…circumstances were not the issue…nowhere did the parish state is was okay in the state of mortal sin.

 

[Neofight]

[BIBLEDRB][/BIBLEDRB]

It should also be noted that St. Monica’s is one of the only parishes on the west side of Los Angeles to offer the Sacrament of Reconciliation every day of the week, and I can say from experience that there are long lines outside the confessional there every day. Despite what I agree is a poor choice of wording in that FAQ section, I know it is not their intent that people should receive Our Lord while stubbornly remaining in sin. A person can disagree with some of their methods, but no one can deny their success. They are all about reaching out to those on the fringes of both the Church and society, with the goal of full reconciliation and communion.

I agree…sadly some of us have a tendency to assume the worst about others. …while probably without malice it lacks humility and charity.

 

[SyroMalankara]

I agree that the statement in it brevity is misleading. Of course, arguments could be made as to the definition of “may” in a Clintonian fashion - “may” does not mean “should” etc. However, a basic simple read leads the undiscerning reader the impression that it’s fine to run up to Communion without any prerequisite.

 

[steve_b]

Of course it is…circumstances were not the issue…nowhere did the parish state is was okay in the state of mortal sin.

What did I write that you’re taking issue with?

I was responding to several points you made

When you said the following,

Originally Posted by Neofight forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif

It is quite possible to have not attended church for years without being in the state of mortal sin.

I said “Deliberately missing mass even once, is a mortal sin.”

When you said the following

Neofight forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif

The state of mortal sin is not for bystanders to decide. Christ told us clearly that before pointing out the splinter in the eye of another, we should take the plank out of our own eye.

I disagreed.

That’s why I said , as John teaches

1 Jn 5: 16 If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God**(“1 jn 5 RSVCE - Faith Conquers the World - Every one - Bible Gateway”)] will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.

then when you said

Neofight forums.catholic-questions.org/images/buttons_khaki/viewpost.gif

St. Augustine wrote that the more se examine ourselves, we find the sins of others are insignificant compared to our own

I wanted to see that statement properly referenced. Because without it being properly referenced, it’s not okay to say that Augustine wrote that