Should a person in RCIA receive communion at a Protestant Church?

[Lead_Me_Home]

Happy New Year

I am in the process of becoming Catholic. I go to Mass on Sundays and every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday I have to usher at my family’s Protestant Church (so I go to Mass earlier). This is one of those Sundays, this is also the communion Sunday at my family’s Church. I stopped receiving Communion there a year ago. My parents told me that they are still upset at this. There Church does not officially teach the Real Presence, but they believe in it. My priest said I should have a conversation with my family, but he was not very strong against me receiving communion in a protestant church. I have not been recieved into the Catholic Church yet, so I am not bound under Canon Law yet, but my question is should I receive communion at a Protestant? Can it even be a valid communion with a Protestant minister?

 

[Alexander_Smith]

As far as I understand, only the Roman Catholic Church, and Catholic Orthodox churches have a valid Eucharist. I suggest you stop partaking in any Protestant communion until you can know for sure from a knowledgable priest.

As for your family, I know it hurts sometimes to make other’s feel bad about their own faith, or make them feel uncomfortable, but that’s part of being Catholic. If you truly want to be a Catholic, you will have to accept the ridicule and disappointment others may have for you.

I wish you the best.

 

[Tietjen]

Happy New Year

I am in the process of becoming Catholic. I go to Mass on Sundays and every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday I have to usher at my family’s Protestant Church (so I go to Mass earlier). This is one of those Sundays, this is also the communion Sunday at my family’s Church. I stopped receiving Communion there a year ago. My parents told me that they are still upset at this. There Church does not officially teach the Real Presence, but they believe in it. My priest said I should have a conversation with my family, but he was not very strong against me receiving communion in a protestant church. I have not been recieved into the Catholic Church yet, so I am not bound under Canon Law yet, but my question is should I receive communion at a Protestant? Can it even be a valid communion with a Protestant minister?

No, it is not the Body of Christ. No, you should not be taking part in a Protestant Church’s communion as you are not in communion with that Protestant Church. There is nothing wrong with attending Protestant services with your parents while also attending Mass on Sunday’s and HDOs. However, taking part in their communion service may be scandalus as at the very least your parents know that you are working on becoming a Catholic. This could give the impression that a Catholic can accept holy communion from any Church.

 

[Bezant]

Well, no one “has to” partake in communion, so you wouldn’t be in error to abstain from participation in a Protestant community. In my opinion it’s better to avoid a potential error.

 

[JM3]

Happy New Year

I am in the process of becoming Catholic. I go to Mass on Sundays and every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday I have to usher at my family’s Protestant Church (so I go to Mass earlier). This is one of those Sundays, this is also the communion Sunday at my family’s Church. I stopped receiving Communion there a year ago. My parents told me that they are still upset at this. There Church does not officially teach the Real Presence, but they believe in it. My priest said I should have a conversation with my family, but he was not very strong against me receiving communion in a protestant church. I have not been recieved into the Catholic Church yet, so I am not bound under Canon Law yet, but my question is should I receive communion at a Protestant? Can it even be a valid communion with a Protestant minister?

It is not a valid communion and you should not receive. It is not a matter of being ‘bound under Canon Law’, it is a matter of conscience. Have you converted to the Catholic faith in you heart? If so, then your conscience will not allow you to receive. Don’t be confused by your priest. He is looking for signs of a conversion.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If you are in the process of becoming Catholic, then it is time to start living as a Catholic. Catholics do not usher in Protestant churches and – since they are not in communion with Protestant churches – they do not receive communion when they visit those churches. It is time to make a choice about where you are heading.

 

[Lutheranteach]

If you are in the process of becoming Catholic, then it is time to start living as a Catholic. Catholics do not usher in Protestant churches and – since they are not in communion with Protestant churches – they do not receive communion when they visit those churches. It is time to make a choice about where you are heading.

I’m 100% protestant and I’ve ushered in a Catholic Church as a fill in during the Friday evening mass before. So what’s up with that? And yes, it’s known I’m not Catholic in that church.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’m 100% protestant and I’ve ushered in a Catholic Church as a fill in during the Friday evening mass before. So what’s up with that? And yes, it’s known I’m not Catholic in that church.

At a weekday Mass there may not be enough people to fill all the roles that are needed. Having said that, my take would be that hospitality should be given by the hosts–the members of the congregation. But since I’m not in charge of the parish, I have no say in the matter.

 

[rick43235]

I’m 100% protestant and I’ve ushered in a Catholic Church as a fill in during the Friday evening mass before. So what’s up with that? And yes, it’s known I’m not Catholic in that church.

I was raised in the Lutheran Church, currently “struggle” with God, but attend mass with my Catholic wife. I was also asked to fill in as an usher a few years ago. Before I knew it, I was on the regular schedule. Most people know I’m non-Catholic, but I still find myself passing out bulletins and passing the collection basket once or twice a month. Go figure.

 

[yosephdaviyd]

Happy New Year

I am in the process of becoming Catholic. I go to Mass on Sundays and every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday I have to usher at my family’s Protestant Church (so I go to Mass earlier). This is one of those Sundays, this is also the communion Sunday at my family’s Church. I stopped receiving Communion there a year ago. My parents told me that they are still upset at this. There Church does not officially teach the Real Presence, but they believe in it. My priest said I should have a conversation with my family, but he was not very strong against me receiving communion in a protestant church. I have not been recieved into the Catholic Church yet, so I am not bound under Canon Law yet, but my question is should I receive communion at a Protestant? Can it even be a valid communion with a Protestant minister?

How would you justify cheating on your finance’ just because you two are engaged, but not married yet with some woman who hates her?

 

[kbwall]

What does one do if visiting a protestant church and they serve communion?

 

[CEM5]

I was raised in the Lutheran Church, currently “struggle” with God, but attend mass with my Catholic wife. I was also asked to fill in as an usher a few years ago. Before I knew it, I was on the regular schedule. Most people know I’m non-Catholic, but I still find myself passing out bulletins and passing the collection basket once or twice a month. Go figure.

Hello rick,

Nothing wrong with that! However, since you haven’t become Catholic, you would not be permitted to partake of the Eucharist, since this is a Sacrament, and only those who have been validly received through the Sacrament, and are not in grave sin, can partake of the Eucharist.

blessings,
CEM

 

[CEM5]

What does one do if visiting a protestant church and they serve communion?

Hello kbwall,

Stay seated in the pew. Going up to receive communion in a congregation is not just a symbol, but tells the community that you accept all their faith teachings and are a part of that community.

In the Catholic Churches, a non-Catholic, (or a Catholic in grave sin not yet confessed), can go up with arms crossed over the chest and receive the Priest’s blessing instead.

Blessings,
CEM

 

[rick43235]

Hello rick,

Nothing wrong with that! However, since you haven’t become Catholic, you would not be permitted to partake of the Eucharist, since this is a Sacrament, and only those who have been validly received through the Sacrament, and are not in grave sin, can partake of the Eucharist.

blessings,
CEM

Not to worry. I know better than to go up for communion.

 

[agent_grey]

If when you recieve you know Christ it is all good. Yes unity is profitable. But the real litmus test is if the Bread and Wine do infact become the Body and blood of Christ. If not then it is a grave sin.

Ask yourself if this miracle occurs. If you think it does than put forth your hand. If you discover that your eyes aren’t opened and you do not know Christ than repent and never go back.

Symbolic communion is the mark of the beast.

 

[Esdra]

As far as I understand, only the Roman Catholic Church, and Catholic Orthodox churches have a valid Eucharist. I suggest you stop partaking in any Protestant communion until you can know for sure from a knowledgable priest.

I am sorry? The Orthodox Churches also have a valid Eucharist, haven’t they?!

 

[Esdra]

This could give the impression that a Catholic can accept holy communion from any Church.

I have often been attending Lutheran services. And actually, from the Lutheran perspective you are allowed to take part at the Holy Supper. (At least in that “parish” I was going.)

But actually, neither Lutherans, nor any other Protestant group do actually have Holy Communion.

Holy Communion is only Holy Communion if a valid ordinated priest transsubstitutes bread and wine into body and blood of Christ Jesus.

Esdra

 

[Esdra]

I’m 100% protestant and I’ve ushered in a Catholic Church as a fill in during the Friday evening mass before. So what’s up with that? And yes, it’s known I’m not Catholic in that church.

As far as I know Catholic doctrine, the priest shouldn’t have given you the Communion.
They argument with 1 Cor 11:28-32:

28But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

** 29For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.**

30For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.

31But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.

32But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Esdra

 

[Esdra]

Symbolic communion is the mark of the beast.

Huh? The mark of the beast? That’s a bit much, don’t you think?
This is the same for me as when SDAs say that the CC is the whore of Babylon!

Esdra

 

[Esdra]

Happy New Year

I am in the process of becoming Catholic. I go to Mass on Sundays and every 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday I have to usher at my family’s Protestant Church (so I go to Mass earlier). This is one of those Sundays, this is also the communion Sunday at my family’s Church. I stopped receiving Communion there a year ago. My parents told me that they are still upset at this. There Church does not officially teach the Real Presence, but they believe in it. My priest said I should have a conversation with my family, but he was not very strong against me receiving communion in a protestant church. I have not been recieved into the Catholic Church yet, so I am not bound under Canon Law yet, but my question is should I receive communion at a Protestant? Can it even be a valid communion with a Protestant minister?

A happy new year to you too!

Just a question of interst: in which Protestant denomination were you risen?
There are not that many Protestant Churches who believe “inofficially in the Real Presence”.
Lutheran?

Esdra