What about Holy Communion for non-Catholic patients in nursing homes?

[seewig]

I am serving sick Catholics form our Parish at a nursing home. I was provided a list of Catholics there who receive Communion which we bring from the Parish.
However, recently we discovered that some of the patients on the list are not Catholic, but have been receiving Communion. I told them that I would hold off, until I get an answer from a priest or the pastor from our Parish. But the priests did not answer, to which I thought was a simple question. I had suggested the priests, who also go to the nursing once a month, to perhaps give the 1st Communion, or some ceremony which would allow them to receive Communion from us volunteers.

Do you have an answer to this question whether Non-Catholics may receive the Eucharist?

Thanks,
Otto

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

If they are not Catholics, then they should not be given the Eucharist by Catholic ministers. If they are willing to become Catholics and are capable of being catechized, then a person from the parish may instruct them in a simple way. They could then be received into the Church. But, giving the Eucharist indiscriminately is not allowed.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.