Receiving Communion at another Church

[joclucsylv]

I would never reveive communion in a protestant church. IMHO that would be turning my back on what Jesus gave us at the last supper.

As a priest once told me…we have gold. They have sand.

 

[mlz]

Is there anything in the Church writing that says a RC is not allowed to partake
at a Luthern or Protestant Last Supper Sacrament? Like from the Cathechism
or something, I couldn’t find anything . Is this just something that is taught
but not in writing?

Thank you.

My dear fellow Christian,

This is such a difficult one for those of us that left a protestant tradition for the Catholic faith. I went through such “rebellion” when confronted with communion before becoming Catholic that I totally understand the hurt and frustration while not understanding the Catholic faith as well, but now that I’m Catholic I am responsible to live my faith to my best and under the knowledge I understand God will hold me “accountable”, so if you understand, you must act responsibly regardless to the hurt of others. Pray for them that do not understand and if in your realm of witness try and help them understand, if not, continue in prayer and suffer with your brothers and sisters who love Jesus, but simply do not understand as of yet His teaching regarding His Church. Show charity and love always. Tell them you understand what they feel and wish so much for a change but until then you must stand with the teaching of your church. Tell them you KNOW they are your brothers and sisters in Christ, assure them that although we may be in different faiths we both know Jesus and that is a beautiful unity.

Pray always and be one of deep charity and love for all those who love Jesus,
My love in Him, ( a former protestant who understands this)

mlx

 

[Crusading_Canuk]

To clarify a few things: a Catholic can have communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service. The reverse can also be said. They both believe in almost the same thing which means both can have communion at each other’s church. Whether or not one decides to is another story but I have heard that is permissible by many Catholics I know.

I think we need to show other Protestant denominations respect especially when their communion is served, just because we don’t believe in the symbol doesn’t mean we should turn our noses up to it either. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they deserve our love and respect. I think there is no reason why we can’t join them in the symbol especially during special times of the year such as Easter. At the United church in my area, the communion table is open for all believers regardless if they are United, Catholic or Pentecostal etc. I know one person who is a dedicated Catholic and will join in only for the grape juice because she wants to join in their celebration. She doesn’t take the entire communion but she will join in the symbol of the grape because she desires to spend that time with her brothers and sisters of Christ. She joins in the symbol because it means that they can be one body of Christ for a few minutes. I believe what she does is special because she doesn’t see them as Protestants, a separate body but simply her other brothers and sisters who she loves. Although most you will start quoting why it isn’t allowed, it’s important to see inside her heart as well as other because Christ is love and that is why He chose to die on the cross. We often forget we can also attend an Orthodox and a Copic church and have communion there. Catholicism isn’t just a bunch of rules that we obey it is an active relationship with Christ and that is in her case how she meets Christ as well.

God is love.

First of all, Anglicans and Catholics do not “believe in almost the same thing”, Catholic dogma in regards to the Eucharist is Transubstantiation, while the Anglican position varies largely on the churchmanship of the person in question. Even if we believed exactly the same thing Anglicans could not receive Holy Communion in the Catholic Church as they are not in communion with Rome. Likewise a Catholic can never receive Anglican “sacraments” as 99% of their holy orders are invalid; their potentially valid ones are questionable and from the line of the Old Catholic Church.

I agree that we should treat Protestants (and well people in general) with respect, however charity does not extend to scandal. By receiving Protestant “Eucharistic meals” we espouse religious indifferentism. Catholicism and Protestantism are not simply two versions of Christianity, one is the Faith established by Christ, the other heresy. By treating protestant services as we would the Mass (or any Catholic liturgical rite), one conveys the idea that both religions are equal. While it is a sad thought that other Christians are not part of the Body of Christ, it is true and is remedied not by false ecumenism, but by evangelism!

 

[Phemie]

To clarify a few things: a Catholic can have communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service. The reverse can also be said. They both believe in almost the same thing which means both can have communion at each other’s church. Whether or not one decides to is another story but I have heard that is permissible by many Catholics I know.

I think we need to show other Protestant denominations respect especially when their communion is served, just because we don’t believe in the symbol doesn’t mean we should turn our noses up to it either. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they deserve our love and respect. I think there is no reason why we can’t join them in the symbol especially during special times of the year such as Easter. At the United church in my area, the communion table is open for all believers regardless if they are United, Catholic or Pentecostal etc. I know one person who is a dedicated Catholic and will join in only for the grape juice because she wants to join in their celebration. She doesn’t take the entire communion but she will join in the symbol of the grape because she desires to spend that time with her brothers and sisters of Christ. She joins in the symbol because it means that they can be one body of Christ for a few minutes. I believe what she does is special because she doesn’t see them as Protestants, a separate body but simply her other brothers and sisters who she loves. Although most you will start quoting why it isn’t allowed, it’s important to see inside her heart as well as other because Christ is love and that is why He chose to die on the cross. We often forget we can also attend an Orthodox and a Copic church and have communion there. Catholicism isn’t just a bunch of rules that we obey it is an active relationship with Christ and that is in her case how she meets Christ as well.

God is love.

I’m sorry but that is totally wrong. We may not receive in churches/ecclesial communities that don’t have valid sacraments and the only valid sacraments Anglicans have are baptism (anyone can baptize) and marriage (the bride and groom confer the sacrament on each other, the minister is simply there to accept their exchange of consent). Just because many Catholics believe differently doesn’t make it right – many Catholics will tell you that living together without being married is OK, are they right? In receiving the grape juice in the United Church that Catholic is not showing brotherhood but a total disregard or misunderstanding of her own Faith.

There is a saying “It’s good to be open-minded but not so open-minded that our brain falls out”. Well it’s good to be ecumenical but not so ecumenical that we loose our own Catholic Faith and identity in the process.

While we may receive in Orthodox and Coptic Churches – under certain conditions – we may do so only because they have apostolic succession and valid sacraments. They also practice closed Communion and just because our Church says we may receive doesn’t mean that we are welcomed to do so.

 

[ProVobis]

I think we need to show other Protestant denominations respect especially when their communion is served, just because we don’t believe in the symbol doesn’t mean we should turn our noses up to it either. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they deserve our love and respect.

Because we only are allowed to attend their services if we don’t put our Catholic faith in danger, it seems almost imperative that we don’t treat their “communion” as though it is the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. Our attendance is love and respect enough. If it’s an organ or choir recital or common prayer or Bible reading, that’s one thing. Seeming acceptance of their communion is another.

 

[PatriceA]

What I find is that some people choose to feel that they are being judged. and choose to get upset by it all, and if that person is the grandmother of your kids it can get messy.

You can’t just pop a balloon a little bit! One little pin-prick and the whole thing blows up!

Usually when grandma is upset in this situation, it really doesn’t have anything to do with religious differences and more about a family dynamic. Grandma probably gets upset whenever a family member doesn’t do what is expected even outside of a religious service. There are times to give into Grandma’s expectations, say always having Easter dinner at her house or something similar, but there are times she’s just going to have to deal with being upset, not receiving communion in a protestant service would be one of them.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

To clarify a few things: a Catholic can have communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service. The reverse can also be said.

As others have mentioned, this is dead wrong. Please, be careful about spreading such false information. Catholics may not receive communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service.

 

[englishredrose]

depends what you mean and what I mean by that without wanting to split hairs over linguitistics. Our creed included the Catholic Church and yet you are quick to tell me I am not Catholic so I very carefully stated Roman Catholic Church. And we certainly welcome anyone to receive communion at our church if they are confirmed else where and if not a blessing. The choice is down to the individual - depending on what they have been taught

 

[englishredrose]

As others have mentioned, this is dead wrong. Please, be careful about spreading such false information. Catholics may not receive communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service.

as far as the anglican church leaders are concerned Roman Catholics can. it is that the Roman Catholic Church teaches that Roman Catholics cannot . Please be careful too.

And, We can by our church leaders teacings receive Communion in a Roman Catholic Church but we are told the Roman Catholic Church do not like us to do so and so we don’t out of respect for the Roman Catholic teaching. Though I do find it odd that we are okay for Roman Catholics to come in and fully participate but in return we cannot go into a Roman Catholic Church and fully participate. But that is a totally different topic which someone else can take up as no wish to get involved in that sort of discussion. But it is true that Anglicans are happy for Roman Catholics to receive communion. It is Roman Catholics who are taught not to do so.

 

[triumphguy]

Usually when grandma is upset in this situation, it really doesn’t have anything to do with religious differences and more about a family dynamic. Grandma probably gets upset whenever a family member doesn’t do what is expected even outside of a religious service. There are times to give into Grandma’s expectations, say always having Easter dinner at her house or something similar, but there are times she’s just going to have to deal with being upset, not receiving communion in a protestant service would be one of them.

Actually, reflecting on this since yesterday, I remembered that grandpa was actually a French Canadian Catholic and he left the Church to marry his Anglican wife. There was a huge family row and they were effectively shunned for many years. So you’re right, there is more going on.

 

[ProVobis]

Though I do find it odd that we are okay for Roman Catholics to come in and fully participate but in return we cannot go into a Roman Catholic Church and fully participate. But that is a totally different topic which someone else can take up as no wish to get involved in that sort of discussion. But it is true that Anglicans are happy for Roman Catholics to receive communion. It is Roman Catholics who are taught not to do so.

Actually, Catholics who don’t believe in the Transubstantiation or are in mortal sin or haven’t fasted aren’t supposed to receive communion in a Catholic church either. And they are discouraged to do so in any church not in full communion with the Pope. The sacrament is very restricted, if not in practice, certainly in doctrine.

 

[Corki]

To clarify a few things: a Catholic can have communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service. The reverse can also be said. They both believe in almost the same thing which means both can have communion at each other’s church. Whether or not one decides to is another story but I have heard that is permissible by many Catholics I know.

No, it’s not permissable. Those who told you that were mistaken. There are some very rare instances where a non-Catholic (including an Episopalian) can receive Communion at a Catholic Mass but it’s very carefully delineated and must involve permission from the Bishop.

I think we need to show other Protestant denominations respect especially when their communion is served, just because we don’t believe in the symbol doesn’t mean we should turn our noses up to it either.

When you are a visitor at any other worship service, it is not unexpected that you would not participate to the same degree as someone who is a member of that faith tradition. It is not “turnig your nose up” to not receive Communion; it is a simple acknowledgement that this service is one that is not your own.

They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they deserve our love and respect. I think there is no reason why we can’t join them in the symbol especially during special times of the year such as Easter.

The reason is that the Church says you may not. It sends a confused message of a unity that does not exist at this time.

In the last 40 years or so, the rules have relaxed a bit. It used to be that Catholics could not even attend other services as a visitor and even going to weddings and funerals at Protestant churches was discouraged. We have made some ecumenical progress but a Catholic’s participation at any non-Catholic service should be limited and never equal to his/her participation at Mass or to the participation expected of members oft he other demomination.

At the United church in my area, the communion table is open for all believers regardless if they are United, Catholic or Pentecostal etc. I know one person who is a dedicated Catholic and will join in only for the grape juice because she wants to join in their celebration. She doesn’t take the entire communion but she will join in the symbol of the grape because she desires to spend that time with her brothers and sisters of Christ. She joins in the symbol because it means that they can be one body of Christ for a few minutes. I believe what she does is special because she doesn’t see them as Protestants, a separate body but simply her other brothers and sisters who she loves.

She has good intentions, I am sure but she is seriously lacking in basic Catechesis regarding the Eucharist and the duties of Catholics.

Although most you will start quoting why it isn’t allowed, it’s important to see inside her heart as well as other because Christ is love and that is why He chose to die on the cross.

I don’t think we can ever see inside another person’s heart. What she is doing is objectively wrong but her culpability may be diminished due to poor Catholic upbringing or just being misinformed about Church teaching.

We often forget we can also attend an Orthodox and a Copic church and have communion there.

Only when it is impossible to attend a Catholic Church or when in danger of death.

Catholicism isn’t just a bunch of rules that we obey it is an active relationship with Christ and that is in her case how she meets Christ as well.

Of course Catholicism isn’t just a bunch of rules. However, the rules are important. Not only is it important to submit to the authority of Holy Mother Church and not make up our own rules but each of the rules has very good reasoning and tradition behind it.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

To clarify a few things: a Catholic can have communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service. The reverse can also be said. They both believe in almost the same thing which means both can have communion at each other’s church. Whether or not one decides to is another story but I have heard that is permissible by many Catholics I know.

I think we need to show other Protestant denominations respect especially when their communion is served, just because we don’t believe in the symbol doesn’t mean we should turn our noses up to it either. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they deserve our love and respect. I think there is no reason why we can’t join them in the symbol especially during special times of the year such as Easter. At the United church in my area, the communion table is open for all believers regardless if they are United, Catholic or Pentecostal etc. I know one person who is a dedicated Catholic and will join in only for the grape juice because she wants to join in their celebration. She doesn’t take the entire communion but she will join in the symbol of the grape because she desires to spend that time with her brothers and sisters of Christ. She joins in the symbol because it means that they can be one body of Christ for a few minutes. I believe what she does is special because she doesn’t see them as Protestants, a separate body but simply her other brothers and sisters who she loves. Although most you will start quoting why it isn’t allowed, it’s important to see inside her heart as well as other because Christ is love and that is why He chose to die on the cross. We often forget we can also attend an Orthodox and a Copic church and have communion there. Catholicism isn’t just a bunch of rules that we obey it is an active relationship with Christ and that is in her case how she meets Christ as well.

God is love.

Dear Secret Garden:

As an old (55) cradle Catholic and ordinary woman with ordinary knowledge of the Church and its teachings, I must say that I have never heard it taught by the Church that we ‘could’ receive communion at an Anglican church.

Further, I was never taught that the Catholic Church’s rules somehow contradict the Catholic’s relationship with Christ, as though you could have only one or the other, but not both.

May I respectfully ask you to show us exactly where the Church (Not, "My priest’, or “my feeling”, but something official from an authoritative source such as “Vatican.va”) teaches what you claim it to teach?

Many thanks. . .

 

[TheRealJuliane]

To clarify a few things: a Catholic can have communion at an Anglican (Episcopalian) service. The reverse can also be said. They both believe in almost the same thing which means both can have communion at each other’s church. Whether or not one decides to is another story but I have heard that is permissible by many Catholics I know.

I think we need to show other Protestant denominations respect especially when their communion is served, just because we don’t believe in the symbol doesn’t mean we should turn our noses up to it either. They are our brothers and sisters in Christ and they deserve our love and respect. I think there is no reason why we can’t join them in the symbol especially during special times of the year such as Easter. At the United church in my area, the communion table is open for all believers regardless if they are United, Catholic or Pentecostal etc.** I know one person who is a dedicated Catholic and will join in only for the grape juice because she wants to join in their celebration. She doesn’t take the entire communion but she will join in the symbol of the grape because she desires to spend that time with her brothers and sisters of Christ. She joins in the symbol because it means that they can be one body of Christ for a few minutes.** I believe what she does is special because she doesn’t see them as Protestants, a separate body but simply her other brothers and sisters who she loves. Although most you will start quoting why it isn’t allowed, it’s important to see inside her heart as well as other because Christ is love and that is why He chose to die on the cross. We often forget we can also attend an Orthodox and a Copic church and have communion there. Catholicism isn’t just a bunch of rules that we obey it is an active relationship with Christ and that is in her case how she meets Christ as well.

God is love.

Gosh, your catechesis wasn’t very complete! Catholics MAY NOT receive Communion in any other church, including Episcopalian or Anglican, because their Bishops are not in communion with Rome. As simple as that. The rest of the Protestant world does not believe in the Real Presence so taking their communion is like heresy to us, and does no good when they see Catholics participate because the impression is that our communion too, is “no big deal.”

A Catholic should not be attending these services in the first place - and if she is receiving communion, should discuss this with her priest and re-read the catechism to clarify that she may NOT receive any part of the communion service at a Protestant church.

 

[Kathryn_Ann]

Ok thanks a lot everyone, appreciate it.

why would I want to? so as not to appear pruddish and I’d be among fellow Christians so in my heart I see nothing wrong or sinful about it, I just wanted to know the RCC teaching in writing on it.

You wouldn’t be appearing prudish (to abstain from receiving at a church that is not in union with the Catholic Church.) You would be honoring your true beliefs as a Catholic. Real friends would understand this and respect this.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

This is a good point, but I think every Catholic should know that Mass/Divine Liturgy attendance does not mean that one must automatically receive communion. Catholics are obliged to attend Mass every Sunday, but we are only obliged to receive communion once a year (during Easter).

Perhaps someone will point out the canon law (I think there is one) that states that if a Catholic Mass isn’t available in the area, then the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated.

 

[Luvtosew]

You wouldn’t be appearing prudish (to abstain from receiving at a church that is not in union with the Catholic Church.) You would be honoring your true beliefs as a Catholic. Real friends would understand this and respect this.

True, but they are our brothers in Christ, Christian brothers, and well if their Church has open communion personally I see no issue with it. I wonder what Jesus would say on this matter.

 

[Splagchnizomai]

True, but they are our brothers in Christ, Christian brothers, and well if their Church has open communion personally I see no issue with it. I wonder what Jesus would say on this matter.

Jesus is considered to be present symbolically in the communion services in those Protestant Churches. Jesus Christ is truly present, Body and Blood, in the Eucharist in the Catholic Church. It’s the Real Presence, not just some symbol.

A Protestant minister is a servant of Jesus. The Priest at Mass is in persona Christi.

What would Jesus say on this matter? Hasn’t he spoken clearly enough?

 

[Corki]

True, but they are our brothers in Christ, Christian brothers, and well if their Church has open communion personally I see no issue with it. I wonder what Jesus would say on this matter.

What he DID say is that what our successors to the Apostles bind us to is bound by God. The Church has been very clear that we are not to do this. Not much to wonder about.

 

[PatriceA]

True, but they are our brothers in Christ, Christian brothers, and well if their Church has open communion personally I see no issue with it. I wonder what Jesus would say on this matter.

Highlighted word, that’s your problem right there. YOU personally don’t see a problem with it, but the teachings of your Catholic faith say otherwise. Have you consulted your priest about this situation?