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

[Tietjen]

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.)

I believe that the OP was asking whether or not someone who is on the road to being confirmed in the Catholic Church should partake in communion in a Protestant Church. Lutherans are Protestant.

 

[Esdra]

I believe that the OP was asking whether or not someone who is on the road to being confirmed in the Catholic Church should partake in communion in a Protestant Church. Lutherans are Protestant.

Yes I know the OP wanted to know the Catholic perspective. So to speak if you are allowed to partake at a Protestant Holy Supper from a Catholic perspective.

I guess you ripped this out of context. I was responding to someone who said that you wasn’t allowed to partake at the Holy Supper…

You wrote:

Originally Posted by Tietjen View Post
This could give the impression that a Catholic can accept holy communion from any Church.

And I have written that they definitely can, from the Protestant perspective, as everyone who believes in Christ as our Saviour and knows what He did for us is invited to partake at the Holy Supper.

If a Catholic should do that, that’s another question…

Esdra

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

If a Catholic should do that, that’s another question…

Esdra

And to make it clear, for a Catholic, the answer is no.

A Protestant church may be willing to give their communion to you, but Catholics do not receive it. Unfortunately we are not in communion with our Protestant brothers and sisters so we can’t pretend that the differences between us don’t exist.

 

[Esdra]

And to make it clear, for a Catholic, the answer is no.

A Protestant church may be willing to give their communion to you, but Catholics do not receive it. Unfortunately we are not in communion with our Protestant brothers and sisters so we can’t pretend that the differences between us don’t exist.

Just curious: What “happens” if a Catholic partakes at the Holy Supper, of let’s say a Presbyterian or Lutheran Church?

I am asking because my dad wanted to show me, when I was younger, that there are also other Christian denominations out there (We visited the Lutherans and the Orthodox) and we both recieved the Lutheran host at the Holy Supper.
We are both Catholics. (Although I am only a Catholic anymore by name; in my heart I’ve been a Baptist since 2009.)

Esdra

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Just curious: What “happens” if a Catholic partakes at the Holy Supper, of let’s say a Presbyterian or Lutheran Church?

I don’t expect them to get hit by a lightening bolt! However, they are going against the teachings of the Church and potentially giving scandal. I would consider it a matter for confession.

 

[LCMS_No_More]

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?

Have you thought of making a spiritual communion right there (and at Mass until you can receive)? It’s a very simple prayer:

“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”

 

[Esdra]

I don’t expect them to get hit by a lightening bolt! However, they are going against the teachings of the Church and potentially giving scandal. I would consider it a matter for confession.

And it doesn’t make any difference if it is a Protestant Church that believes in the Real Presence or one that doesn’t?
Because this is the reason why I mentioned the Lutheran and the Presbyterian Church.
In both cases I am violating the Doctrines of the CC, right?

Would I also do so by recieving the host in an Orthodox Church (despite the fact that I couldn’t anyway, as they have closed communion)?

So it’s only lawful for a Catholic to recieve the Eucharist in the RCC or an Eastern Catholic Church which is in communion with Rome, right?

Esdra

 

[PatriceA]

And it doesn’t make any difference if it is a Protestant Church that believes in the Real Presence or one that doesn’t?
Because this is the reason why I mentioned the Lutheran and the Presbyterian Church.
In both cases I am violating the Doctrines of the CC, right?

Would I also do so by recieving the host in an Orthodox Church (despite the fact that I couldn’t anyway, as they have closed communion)?

So it’s only lawful for a Catholic to recieve the Eucharist in the RCC or an Eastern Catholic Church which is in communion with Rome, right?

Esdra

What Prostestant Church do you think believes in the real presence in the Eucharist?

 

[Esdra]

What Prostestant Church do you think believes in the real presence in the Eucharist?

Lutherans do, Methodists do, Anglicans do, the PNCC and the Old Catholic Church/Utrecht do as well.

Not all of those speak of the Eucharist. But they all believe in the Real Presence.

What do you think: “Which Protestant Churches believe in teh RP?”

Esdra

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

What Prostestant Church do you think believes in the real presence in the Eucharist?

And in addition, what Protestant church has a valid priesthood to be able to bring about the Eucharist? Without a priest, the bread remains bread.

As far as I know, the only non-Catholics with valid sacraments are the Orthodox. Also, as far as I know, they do not allow non-Orthodox to receive the sacraments from them.

 

[Esdra]

And in addition, what Protestant church has a valid priesthood to be able to bring about the Eucharist? Without a priest, the bread remains bread.

The Roman Catholic Church with it’s Eastern Churches in communion with it does.
Partly the Anglican Church does (due to apostolic succession), the PNCC most definitely does. The Old Catholic Church/Utrecht also does partly (similar than the Anglican Church).

EDIT: Oh, and I forgot to mention the Episcopolean Churches. (As I always do, as I only learned about them here in CAF! )

As far as I know, the only non-Catholics with valid sacraments are the Orthodox. Also, as far as I know, they do not allow non-Orthodox to receive the sacraments from them.

You are right here. And yes, the Orthodox Church has closed communion for all Churches who are not Orthodox (this means also for Catholics).

However, the PNCC, the Anglican Church and the Old Catholic Church also have valid sacraments. As far as I know.

But actually Protestant Churches are free to believe in the RP… And they do. Despite they don’t have a valid priesthood and also no valid sacrament.

So you can’t equate the sacrament of the Eucharist with the belief in the RP, IMO.

Esdra

 

[RazzsMom]

A person who is going through the RCIA process *with the intent *of joining the Church at Easter should not receive communion at any church - Protestant or Catholic. He/she cannot receive at a Catholic Church because he has not yet been received into the Church. He should not receive communion in any Protestant church because he has the intention of becoming Catholic (and so is not in true “communion” with what a Protestant church teaches) - which means he should wait until Easter Vigil reception into the Faith. To receive “in the meantime” would give the impression, as others have said, that all communion is the same, as long as the **person receiving **believes in the RP.

A Protestant church can be said to “believe in the RP”, but not in transubstantiation - which is what makes Catholics different from various Protestant belief. That is the belief that, once conferred (changed into the Body and Blood), It will always remain the B&B of Christ…it does not depend upon the person receiving and consuming. This is why Catholic Churches have a Tabernacle to hold the Blessed Body - we cannot simply take the “Leftovers” and feed them to the birds ------- which I have seen Lutheran pastors do!

And for Communion to be true Eucharist (in the Catholic sense) - the person doing the conferring must be a Priest validly ordained in Apostolic Tradition. A Lutheran pastor is not in Apostalic succession. (Nor is a Baptist or Methodist, etc.)

BTW: Someone else asked what he should do if visiting in a Protestant church and communion is offered. Some Protestant churches do not have the person attending to come forward to receive. The bread and wine (or variations of such) is sometimes passed down the pews - the wine/grape juice in tiny, thimble-like cups and the bread/wafers/etc on a plate. If this is what is happening, then simply pass what is being offered to the person next to you without taking any for yourself. If some well-meaning person tells you it is “OK” for you to take some, just politely decline. No explanations are necessary.

Finally — if I were in a situation or time in my life when I really did not know what I believed — and I was attending RCIA as an inquirer without intent at this time of joining the RCC (just sort of checking this Catholic Church out!) — then I think I would still not receive communion at any church until my faith was decided on way or another, so as not to lend scandal to any church, Catholic or Protestant. The RCIA may (I pray!) end up making a Catholic out of you!

I hope this helps the OP. God Bless.
*
pace e bene*,
Razz(name removed by moderator)

 

[PatriceA]

A person who is going through the RCIA process *with the intent *of joining the Church at Easter should not receive communion at any church - Protestant or Catholic. He/she cannot receive at a Catholic Church because he has not yet been received into the Church. He should not receive communion in any Protestant church because he has the intention of becoming Catholic (and so is not in true “communion” with what a Protestant church teaches) - which means he should wait until Easter Vigil reception into the Faith. To receive “in the meantime” would give the impression, as others have said, that all communion is the same, as long as the **person receiving **believes in the RP.

A Protestant church can be said to “believe in the RP”, but not in transubstantiation - which is what makes Catholics different from various Protestant belief. That is the belief that, once conferred (changed into the Body and Blood), It will always remain the B&B of Christ…it does not depend upon the person receiving and consuming. This is why Catholic Churches have a Tabernacle to hold the Blessed Body - we cannot simply take the “Leftovers” and feed them to the birds ------- which I have seen Lutheran pastors do!

And for Communion to be true Eucharist (in the Catholic sense) - the person doing the conferring must be a Priest validly ordained in Apostolic Tradition. A Lutheran pastor is not in Apostalic succession. (Nor is a Baptist or Methodist, etc.)

BTW: Someone else asked what he should do if visiting in a Protestant church and communion is offered. Some Protestant churches do not have the person attending to come forward to receive. The bread and wine (or variations of such) is sometimes passed down the pews - the wine/grape juice in tiny, thimble-like cups and the bread/wafers/etc on a plate. If this is what is happening, then simply pass what is being offered to the person next to you without taking any for yourself. If some well-meaning person tells you it is “OK” for you to take some, just politely decline. No explanations are necessary.

Finally — if I were in a situation or time in my life when I really did not know what I believed — and I was attending RCIA as an inquirer without intent at this time of joining the RCC (just sort of checking this Catholic Church out!) — then I think I would still not receive communion at any church until my faith was decided on way or another, so as not to lend scandal to any church, Catholic or Protestant. The RCIA may (I pray!) end up making a Catholic out of you!

I hope this helps the OP. God Bless.
*
pace e bene*,
Razz(name removed by moderator)

Just about to come back and say the same thing.

 

[Lead_Me_Home]

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

I was/am raised in a Protestant Non-Denominational Community Church. Confusing! The church is non-denominational so they don’t have any group of official doctrines or catechism that makes them distinct. They are community which means they take a bit from whatever faith traditions the members come from. The church is set up a little like a Catholic parish, large cross in front, but no crucifix. The services also have a few prayers similar to the mass, but a small few, but no kneeling. They do infant non-emersion baptisms, but no confirmation. The service consists of music and a long sermon with a FEW verses of scripture. Two reasons i was disillusioned from this church, in addition to the Eucharist, is the poor catechesis and the low focus on scripture.

 

[Miriam1947]

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

I am a convert and I wouldn’t have received. If you are a Catholic or in RCIA and have made the decision to convert, why would you receive? After all, you are not receiving the Eucharist.

And waiting for it is so worth it. Think about it, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord.

How amazing and wonderful is that?

 

[Catherine_k]

Hi there…

RCIA takes time… time to allow the candidate/catechumen to grow/develop his/her faith through prayer and study. It reflects a return to the conversion process the church followed early in her history.

That being said, I agree with the others who stated that if the intent of attending RCIA is full communion with the Body of Christ Easter Vigil, that it is inappropriate on all levels to take communion at any church. That statement of communal intent means once accepts Church docterine and follows in obedience. This obedience is not always easy, and unfortunately (in this case) your family (perhaps through ignorance) feels your newly developed/developing faith is dividing you from them.

I empathize: my conversion caused enormous division within my family. My suggestions are to be gentle towards your family, reassure that your growing faith is not in any way a rejection of them, attend church with them occasionally, make it clear they are always welcome to attend mass with you, and to pray. Prayer is crucial in your formation as a Catholic (and will remain crucial in your life as a Catholic)

PAX …

 

[Tietjen]

Yes I know the OP wanted to know the Catholic perspective.

And yet you answered from a Protestant perspective.

I guess you ripped this out of context. I was responding to someone who said that you wasn’t allowed to partake at the Holy Supper…

I didn’t take it out of context. You responded to my post which was in answer to the OP’s question. Your response was to ignore that Catholic perspective and reply from a Protestant position. The OP did not ask whether or not a Protestant Church would allow him to take part in communion. He asked if a person in RCIA should receive communion in a Protestant Church… The answer was and is no.

And I have written that they definitely can, from the Protestant perspective, as everyone who believes in Christ as our Saviour and knows what He did for us is invited to partake at the Holy Supper.

The devil believes in Christ. The devil knows what He did for us. Is the devil invited too? I suggest that you read 1 Corinthians 11:27.

If a Catholic should do that, that’s another question…

No… that’s THE question that was asked.