What is the Churches Position on giving Holy Communion to non Catholics

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BernadetteM

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On another Catholic website, a Canon of the CoE stated that he had received communion with the knowledge of the priest and I believe Bishop at a cathedral.

The subject matter was how Catholics feel a special connection/communion with the Catholics of the world. One that cannot be put into words.

His response was “then the priests cannot be saved”,implying that was what I thought, which I never mentioned. I just stated that under Church law only Catholics can receive. Whether there are clergy who are not obedient to Church teachings, I have no idea what the state of their soul is and would never judge them.

His comments seemed to be condencending, and said many Catholic receive from him and other CoE clergy.

Open communion is rather a new novelty within the Anglican Communion and there are Lutherans who deny open communion to anyone who is not of their synod.

If anyone knows the actual Canon/law stating the position of the Church I would appreciate it being stated from the actual document. Also if intercommunion is being practiced by our clergy, what steps are taken, if any to have them conform to Catholic teaching in this matter. As a Catholic my understanding is that unless one is fully Catholic in belief, i.e. Orthodox that for the sake of them receiving unworthy and in a state of sin the Church denies communion for the protection of their souls, the Church is actually looking out for their souls, not as being elite. Anglicans are a mixed bunch and some believe in the Real Presence if not in the Catholic sense, more in a spiriitual one and some believe it is a symbol, others accept Catholic teaching.

Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Bernadette
 
CCC - **" **1355 In the communion, preceded by the Lord’s prayer and the breaking of the bread, the faithful receive “the bread of heaven” and “the cup of salvation,” the body and blood of Christ who offered himself “for the life of the world”:
Because this bread and wine have been made Eucharist (“eucharisted,” according to an ancient expression), "we call this food Eucharist, and **no one may take part in it unless he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught.**B] "

and

CCC - " 1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance. "

The truths of the Catholic Faith may be found in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”.

Anyone aware of Priests violating any of the teachings in the CCC, should talk to the Priest. If that does not work, contact the Bishop of that Diocese. If that does not work, contact the Pope with a copy to the particular Country’s Papal Nuncio.
 
CODE OF CANON LAW

Can. 844 ß1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ’s faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in ß2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in can. 861 ß2.

ß2 Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ’s faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-Catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

ß3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

ß4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgment of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other Christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

ß5 In respect of the cases dealt with in ß2, 3 and 4, the diocesan Bishop or the Episcopal Conference is not to issue general norms except after consultation with the competent authority, at least at the local level, of the non-Catholic Church or community concerned.

END QUOTE

Canon 861 B2 is about Baptism.

Jim Dandy
 
BernadetteM said:
On another Catholic website, a Canon of the CoE stated that he had received communion with the knowledge of the priest and I believe Bishop at a cathedral.
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Did he happen to mention what their reaction was? I have known people who were told, “Please don’t do that” by a priest, and then went ahead and did it, and then said, well, Father knew I was doing it. (They omit to say, “Father did not approve of me doing it.”)
His comments seemed to be condencending, and said many Catholic receive from him and other CoE clergy.
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There are a lot of poorly catechized people on both sides of the fence who don’t realize there is a difference.

There are limited circumstances when it can be permitted for non-Catholics to receive Holy Communion at Mass. Even in such cases, it is not intended to become a regular habit.
 
jmcrae said:
Did he happen to mention what their reaction was? I have known people who were told, “Please don’t do that” by a priest, and then went ahead and did it, and then said, well, Father knew I was doing it. (They omit to say, “Father did not approve of me doing it.”)

There are a lot of poorly catechized people on both sides of the fence who don’t realize there is a difference.

There are limited circumstances when it can be permitted for non-Catholics to receive Holy Communion at Mass. Even in such cases, it is not intended to become a regular habit.
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From what he stated, it was obvious that the Catholic priests knew who he was. From other websites it appears that some Catholic Bishops and priests in England have a close relationship with CoE clergy. Of course now that there is an Ordinariate established their hopes of inter communion between the Anglican Communion and the Catholilc Church seem to have no real future. Especially now that the Anglican Communion has admitted women as priests and in the US as Bishops. I think that there are some within our Church who continue to ignore the teachings and feel that they are correct and the Church is wrong.

Without the authority of the Pope guiding the Church, it would be endanger of becomming another Episcopal church where one believes whatever one wants.

Thank you all for your information on the Canons of the Church.

God Bless

Bernadette
 
I think it is allowed in some cases but it is pretty rare.
 
Not sure if allowed is the proper word… it is tolerated in some instance such as when President Clinton going to Communion. Telling him not to would have been an embarassment, and probably tolerated as such.

I much prefer the priest or someone else announcing that Communion is reserved for practicing Catholics, and for other to come up hands folded accross their chest to receive a blessing instead, especially at masses where it is known that many non-Catholics may be attending.

Most egregious are folks who come up and take Communion in hand and try to put it away without consuming it. As an usher, I approach these folks and require them to either consume it or return it. I know it is very embarassing to thoses folks, but if I had my way I would have these folks caned or tossed out on their ears. I’ve seen folks get angry or in tears when confronted . I don’t care. They should know better.
 
In one of my past parishes, there was the husband of a Catholic woman who used to receive Communion. I found out later that he was an Episcopalian. I asked the priest about it one time and was told to mind my own business and that he, the priest, could do what ever he considered correct.

Needless to say I no longer attend there.
 
Just to let you know, I would not take Communion in a Catholic Church or any non-Catholic Church that was not in fellowship with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We practice closed Communion. By taking Communion in a non-LC-MS church, I would be saying that I agree with that church doctrine whatever that might be.
 
hn160 said:
Just to let you know, I would not take Communion in a Catholic Church or any non-Catholic Church that was not in fellowship with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. We practice closed Communion. By taking Communion in a non-LC-MS church, I would be saying that I agree with that church doctrine whatever that might be.
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👍
 
I am a Methodist, interested in my Mother’s religion. So, the hands folded across the chest to receive a blessing is the best way to handle communion at mass without offending anybody? I certainly don’t want to cause akwardness during worship of God
 
Angelique67 said:
I am a Methodist, interested in my Mother’s religion. So, the hands folded across the chest to receive a blessing is the best way to handle communion at mass without offending anybody? I certainly don’t want to cause akwardness during worship of God
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The best way to handle communion in the Catholic Church if you’re not Catholic, is to remain in your pew and not go up to receive the Eucharist.
 
I would like to add (I did not see this fact mentioned so I apologize if it was already stated):

Not only must you be a Catholic in good standing, (no mortal or grave sin), but you must have received the Sacrament of First Communion. Many are baptized, and may have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, however, they may not have received the Sacrament of First Communion therefor they cannot receive the Eucharist at Mass.

Non-Catholics (or those who have yet to receive the Sacrament), are encouraged to go up for a blessing (hands crossed over the chest so the Priest knows not to give the Eucharist) if they wish. :signofcross:

Blessings,
CEM
 
I think you might be wrong by encouraging non-catholics, and even Catholics, to go up for a blessing instead of receiving the Eucharist. See this link:

adoremus.org/0209CDW_Blessing.html

I know our priest put a stop to this practice.
 
PatriceA…

Thanks for the link. Non-Catholics can go up to receive a blessing by crossing their heart.

Yes, it is the priest who will decide who to give communion to. As a rule, they cannot deny the Eucharist to someone coming up. However, our missalettes state very clearly one can only be Catholic/Orthodox. To receive without faith…the recipient does not intend it— but can be sacriligious.

The Eucharist can only be received with true faith and answer with ‘Amen’.
 
Did you read the whole link? Its a practice that started with the LIfe Teen program and is to be DIScouraged.
 
Thanks for the replies! 🙂 I think I’ll stick to the back of the church and not go up, unless someone tells me, otherwise! I like to play it safe. My mother has told me about non-catholics and communion. I “do” the aforementioned. But I was intrigued by the blessing post. 🙂

God bless you, both! Thank you, again for replying! 🙂
 
PatriceA said:
The best way to handle communion in the Catholic Church if you’re not Catholic, is to remain in your pew and not go up to receive the Eucharist.
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That is exactly the way that our pastor would like non LC-MS Christians do in our church during Communion.👍
 
Holly3278 said:
I think it is allowed in some cases but it is pretty rare.
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When I was in my late teens, I was working at a summer camp. On Sundays, a Catholic priest would come to the camp to celebrate mass, while protestants walked to a Presbyterian Church in a small nearby town. Being away from a Lutheran Church, I missed receiving the Supper, and one day spoke to Father _____ about my predicament.
He offered to allow me to receive.

Now I was young, and all the ramifications were not clear in my understandings at that time, and I’m not sure if Father _____ did the right thing, but nevertheless, I have always been thankful that he was there for me in my time of need.

Jon
 
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