Priest gives communion to non catholics

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I prayed and thought about this before posting it. There is a priest where Igo to Mass who gives Communion to people who attend who are not Catholic. I spoke to him after Mass one day and he said it was alright because said people believed in everything we did. I respectfully disagreed with him. He smiled and walked away. Where do I go with this, it is heavy on my heart.
 
Are these people Orthodox Christians? In this case, alright. ïf not…" I’d go to the Bishop".
 
Then, do as Lenten says. That is the thing to do, no matter how unusual or merciless it may seem to some.
 
Anna, this article is an interesting read. A very difficult situation at your parish. I hope at least those receiving our Lord are also consuming the host and not taking the unconsumed host away with them.

Has Pope Francis just opened a door for non-Catholics to receive communion?​

18 November 2015 | by Christopher Lamb in Rome
Has Pope Francis just opened a door for non-Catholics to receive communion?

In 1996 the late Cardinal Basil Hume wrote to Tony Blair, then an Anglican on the verge of becoming Prime Minister, asking him to refrain from taking communion when he attended Mass with his family.

Blair, married to a Catholic, reluctantly agreed but in his letter of reply to the cardinal wrote: “I wonder what Jesus would have made of it.”

He was highlighting the sadness that many Christians married to Catholics feel that, despite being joined in the sacrament of matrimony, they cannot share in the sacrament of the eucharist with their spouses (except in particular circumstances.)

On Sunday a Lutheran woman in this situation addressed a question to Pope Francis when he visited the Lutheran Church on Rome on Sunday.

“We have lived together for many years, sharing joys and pains,” she said. “And therefore it hurts us very much being divided in the faith and not being able to participate together at the Lord’s Supper. What can we do to reach, finally, communion on this point?”

As we might have expected the Pope did not say “yes, go ahead” but neither did he shut down the question either. It was rather like the synod on the family’s
treatment of whether divorced and remarried Catholics can receive communion: a door has been opened. Click here to finish reading
Click to expand...
 
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I thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut and the article. I found it most intresting and informative. I have much to think about and I pray for God,s guidance God Bless.
 
I read it too and you are right … it gives a lot to think about. I’m praying, too!
 
Anna, i don’t think it’s your duty to worry about it, even though i agree with you the priest is not doing the right thing. I would just pray for him to make a wise decision.
 
How do you know for sure that these persons are not Catholic?

Is this priest the pastor or superior at this location where you attend Mass? The pastor would be the next person to ask, not the bishop.
 
I know for sure they are not Catholic because they are neighbors of mine. Also the priest who I spoke of reaffirmed it with his answer to me. No he is not the pastor. I am still contemplating what to do. SAY a p;rayer for me that I, with the help of God choose the right way to approach this. God Bless.
 
Normally I frown on questioning the priest, but you seem to have actually done the homework! Speak to the pastor. With the priest present if at all possible. Bless you.
 
In reality I was not questioning the priest. I thought I may have missed something, a new guideline etc. It was his answer that made jt clear to me. I to do not like questioning a priest,s judgement, but this is not going to go away. Still praying on it. God Bless
 
Does this “cheapen” the Eucharist for you in some way? Is Jesus somehow dimished by this act? I am not trying to be difficult, I am interested in your thoughts.
 
Eric, no this does not as you put it "cheapen’ the EUCHARIST for me in any way. I do not no if Jesus is diminished by this or not for I do not no the intention of those receiving Him in Holy Communion. I just observed something that I as far as I knew was still not allowed unless one was Catholic or under special circumstances. As I said I thought I may have missed something.Understand I in no way am I A theologian . Simply someone who needs a few prayers right now so I make a very difficult deceision. God Bless.
 
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Hi Anna - We are to be defenders of our faith. You know in your heart that was not acceptable for the priest to give the Eucharist to non Catholics. I myself, would talk to your pastor, and then the bishop of need be. At least, you could put your heart at rest, that you were a true defender of our faith. Blessings.
 
You are very right in this case to question. The church has rules that can only be changed at the highest levels…that’s what ONE means in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Individuals cannot change rules to suit their opinions.

Generally, it is not the priests job to determine who can and can’t receive, it’s the individuals, but asking the Pastor will ease your mind, so do so.

Being the devil’s advocate for a moment, these folks must have some belief that leads them to desire the Eucharist, this should be explored with a view towards complete conversion.

Personally, I think Jesus has the ability to discern the recipients desires and could just a easily vacate the host for those who believe it’s just symbolic…BUT, the church does not see it that way, so I fully support the churches desires.

I think these sort of discussions will come up more and more in the next few years. I have heard several priests, essentially apologizing to mixed congregations that this is the way it is. I once belonged to a Catholic Episcopal Church where both a priest and minister celebrated the mass, communion was Catholics to one end of the church and Episcopals to the other…following the RC rules.
 
Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut…I do not know what is in their hearts but I also reflected on the point that they attend Mass and I to hope that father or the pastor will talk to them about conversion…I ,have made a deceison on what to do. I WILL TREAD LIGHTLY AND HOPE THAT I made the right choice. God Bless
 
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