Protestants and Catholic Communion

[reteeks21]

I’m curious about something, and I need some help with this one.
I know a priest who, when I attend his church, let’s protestants recieve communion. No, I’m not making this up. This really happens. He has even served me. He has no problem with it at all, but I have heard that it IS wrong for him to do that. Well, is it? Is anyone at fault in that situation? What should happen in that instance? Thanks and have a wondeful day!

 

[M0nkey]

Well that’s a tough situation. If he is really an ordained priest then he’s given the authority and obligation to safe-guard the body of Christ. I guess this is one of those moot points in which a person chooses to do this on their own. As far as I know it is a liturgical violation. I hope his bishop knows about this…

 

[reteeks21]

Well that’s a tough situation. If he is really an ordained priest then he’s given the authority and obligation to safe-guard the body of Christ. I guess this is one of those moot points in which a person chooses to do this on their own. As far as I know it is a liturgical violation. I hope his bishop knows about this…

What is a liturgical violation? Is there a penalty for such a thing?

 

[ralphinal]

The rules are too complex to condense. If it is open Communion, it is a major violation. There are specific cases where a preist CAN allow non-Catholics to receive, but those are few and this does not seem like that case.

Base on the very, very limited information, there is a problem.

 

[reteeks21]

The rules are too complex to condense. If it is open Communion, it is a major violation. There are specific cases where a preist CAN allow non-Catholics to receive, but those are few and this does not seem like that case.

Base on the very, very limited information, there is a problem.

I’m not sure I follow. What type of info can I give you to explain better? I’ll be glad to try and be more specific. Come to think of it, I should have done that earlier! My bad.

What circumstances would be acceptable for non-catholics to recieve it?

Are protestants doing anything wrong when they participate?

 

[Reformed]

I’m curious about something, and I need some help with this one.
I know a priest who, when I attend his church, let’s protestants recieve communion. No, I’m not making this up. This really happens. He has even served me. He has no problem with it at all, but I have heard that it IS wrong for him to do that. Well, is it? Is anyone at fault in that situation? What should happen in that instance? Thanks and have a wondeful day!

I’ve partook in the Eucharist throughout my early adulthood with high school friends and college friends while attending Mass with them.

 

[Mickey]

In the Holy Orthodox Church, the priest knows who has been to confession and if an Orthodox Christian is visiting from out of town, he/she will meet with the priest before Liturgy to discuss reception of the Precious Gifts. Just as the laity have a responsibility to receive worthily, the priest has the responsibility to administer the Precious Gifts to those who are properly prepared and in communion with the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

 

[M0nkey]

I’ve partook in the Eucharist

:bigyikes:

 

[M0nkey]

What is a liturgical violation? Is there a penalty for such a thing?

The liturgy is the celebration of the mass and all the songs, readings, and celebrations that go with it. Usually, priests are allowed to give the Eucharist only in extreme cases, such as a person that’s about to die and wants to receive it.

 

[M0nkey]

Are protestants doing anything wrong when they participate?

It depends on your conscience. We do have an obligation to show respect and reverence for the body of Christ. For example, I am currently abstaining from taking it, since my marriage is pending a convalidation. While finding other ‘little ways’ to take communion.

 

[reteeks21]

The liturgy is the celebration of the mass and all the songs, readings, and celebrations that go with it. Usually, priests are allowed to give the Eucharist only in extreme cases, such as a person that’s about to die and wants to receive it.

Okay, I think I get it. So by giving open communion they are violating the sacredness and order of the liturgical plan? Is that correct?

Does the dying man have to be catholic? If not, why is their an exception in that case?

 

[Reformed]

:bigyikes:

It didn’t seem anything different to me than a Protestant sacrament of communion. At least the elements looked the same to me. In Reformed Churches, we have both wine and grape juice, per personal conscience before God.

 

[M0nkey]

Okay, I think I get it. So by giving open communion they are violating the sacredness and order of the liturgical plan? Is that correct?

It appears that way from your OP.

Does the dying man have to be catholic? If not, why is their an exception in that case?

The dying man can be catholic, protestant, budist, hindu, you name it. As long as they have a desire in their heart to receive the Eucharist and know full well what it is.

 

[reteeks21]

It appears that way from your OP.

**The dying man can be catholic, protestant, budist, hindu, you name it. As long as they have a desire in their heart to receive the Eucharist and know full well what it is./**QUOTE]

Then why can’t they recieve while they are healthy? I understand what you are saying, and I am not trying to be difficult. I am simply trying to better understand. Thanks.

 

[kage_ar]

The Catechism shows us in 1401 that there are extroidinary circumstances, but, the decision is that of the Bishop (that is what “Ordinary” means).

[1400](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1400.htm’) Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church, "have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders."239 It is for this reason that, for the Catholic Church, Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible. However these ecclesial communities, "when they commemorate the Lord’s death and resurrection in the Holy Supper . . . profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in glory."240
[1401](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1401.htm’) When, in the Ordinary’s judgment, a grave necessity arises, Catholic ministers may give the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who ask for them of their own will, provided they give evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments and possess the required dispositions.241

 

[M0nkey]

Then why can’t they recieve while they are healthy?

I think that you can if you want to. In fact, the Church can’t deny the Eucharist to anyone, except for an extreme case like scandal. At least that’s what we were told in Catechesis for becoming Eucharistic ministers.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

It didn’t seem anything different to me than a Protestant sacrament of communion. At least the elements looked the same to me. In Reformed Churches, we have both wine and grape juice, per personal conscience before God.

Things aren’t always as they seem, and looks can be deceiving. When you received the Eucharist at Mass, did you reply “Amen” in response to “The Body of Christ” and “The Blood of Christ”? Do you believe that what you received into your body was the true Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ, or symbols of His Body and Blood?

 

[tGette]

This is such a controversial topic.

There is some discretion left to the priest to make a decision whether someone should receive.

I am not going to get far into this, because it will be a perpetual conversation. Though, I had to put my two Abraham’s in.

The only thing I say, out of respect for the beliefs of the Church, if one is receiving or desires,

they should at least:

• Have gone to confession prior to receiving Holy Communion.

If a priest is allowing someone to receive without requesting the Sacrament of Reconciliation, then the priest is deviating FAR from Liturgical and Canonical norms.

I like this teaching that the Church does not allow non-Catholics to receive because to me it shows the reverence for the Eucharist.

Though…I 100% understand the arguments to the contrary. If someone TRULY believes, maybe they should receive because there are graces bestowed upon the believer. Though, if one TRULY believes then they should be more inclined to respect the teachings of the Catholic Church in this respect.

 

[Erich]

Be sure to check out the “Communion in other churches” thread.

The “Amen” of Protestants receiving Catholic Communion would imply that they believe all that the Catholic Church teaches, particularly in reference to the Real Presence.

 

[elvisman]

Be sure to check out the “Communion in other churches” thread.

The “Amen” of Protestants receiving Catholic Communion would imply that they believe all that the Catholic Church teaches, particularly in reference to the Real Presence.

FINALLY somebody hit the nail on the head!
You are NOT to receive the Holy Eucharist in the Catholic Church if:
You are not Catholic
You are not in FULL Communion with the Catholic Church and its teachings
Are in a state of unconfessed Mortal Sin.

---

To do so is to disrespect and defile the most sacred of Catholic Sacraments. the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. It’s NOT a mere symbol.

**1 Cor 11-29:**For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body, eats and drinks judgment on himself.