When a Catholic accepts communion at a Protestant Church

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According to the teachings of the Catholic Church as taught through the ages, up to the time of Vatican II, it would be an act of heresy to participate in an act of religious worship with non-Catholics. By receiving communion at a Protestant service you are effectively stating that you are in communion, or at one with their belief and doctrine, thereby denying the Catholic dogma of Supremacy of the Papacy as well as numerous other doctrines.

Pope Pius IX, Vatican Council I, Sess. 4, Chap. 3, Canon, ex cathedra: “If anyone thus speaks, that the Roman Pontiff has only the office of inspection or direction, but not the full and supreme power of jurisdiction over the universal Church, not only in things which pertain to faith and morals, but also in those which pertain to the discipline and government of the Church spread over the whole world; or, that he possesses only the more important parts, but not the whole plenitude of this supreme power… let him be anathema.”

Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos (# 10), Jan. 6, 1928: “So, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics: for the union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it…”

Hope this helps to answer your question.

Thomas
 
Thomas, I’m not sure why the citation from the First Vatican Council was given :confused:

Anyway, as for the second citation, that is not an ummutable decree there. But, as it is, the current code of canon law states:

Can. 844 §1. Catholic ministers administer the sacraments licitly to Catholic members of the Christian faithful alone,** who likewise receive them licitly from Catholic ministers alone**
 
From a Catholic perspective.Isn’t the Bread and Wine(grape juice at most Protestant churches) considered to be exactly that…just bread and wine? Protestants say they are eating bread and and drinking wine in remembrance anyways. Nobody is trying to even pretend like there is more to it.

What am I supposed to do when I visit my families church from now on?🤷 I don’t always know when they have communion and can’t imagine just refusing it. They already think I am sort of crazy for becoming Catholic. It would seem rude.
 
From a Catholic perspective.Isn’t the Bread and Wine(grape juice at most Protestant churches) considered to be exactly that…just bread and wine? Protestants say they are eating bread and and drinking wine in remembrance anyways. Nobody is trying to even pretend like there is more to it.

What am I supposed to do when I visit my families church from now on?🤷 I don’t always know when they have communion and can’t imagine just refusing it. They already think I am sort of crazy for becoming Catholic. It would seem rude.
Personally, because they are just having bread and wine, I refuse, it seems a mockery of our Eucharist.
 
What am I supposed to do when I visit my families church from now on?
You should not be participating in worship services with non-Catholics. By doing so you are validating their beliefs and dogmas which are contrary to the Catholic Faith.

Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos (# 10), Jan. 6, 1928: “So, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics: for the union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it…”

Thomas
 
What am I supposed to do when I visit my families church from now on?🤷
You are a Catholic, now. Nobody is seriously expecting you to attend non-Catholic churches, in the first place. You are supposed to be going to Mass on Sundays, anyway.
I don’t always know when they have communion and can’t imagine just refusing it. They already think I am sort of crazy for becoming Catholic. It would seem rude.
You should not worry about “seeming rude,” or whether they think you are crazy or not, when your immortal soul is at stake. The best way to avoid the situation is not to go to non-Catholic services at all - that way, you won’t feel like you are being put on the spot.
 
Is that by it’s definition a schismatic act?
It could certainly be construed as such, but it is not an excommunicable offence.

It is grave matter, however, and must be confessed in the Confessional to a priest, in order to be absolved of it.
 
What am I supposed to do when I visit my families church from now on?🤷 I don’t always know when they have communion and can’t imagine just refusing it. They already think I am sort of crazy for becoming Catholic. It would seem rude.
Respectfully decline, as they should when they go to your services. When we visit my mom’s Lutheren sister and her family that’s what I have to do even though they say I am welcome to participate.

I would recommend the Marriage & Eucharist talk at biblechristiansociety.com It will put it in a new light I think.
 
"When we visit my mom’s Lutheren sister and her family "

Yeah,but i am talking about my Mother,Father,and Sisters. Not my Moms “Lutheran sister” and such.I don’t mind saying no to a distant relative.
 
It could certainly be construed as such, but it is not an excommunicable offence.

It is grave matter, however, and must be confessed in the Confessional to a priest, in order to be absolved of it.
Oh,I missed that quote.Thanks in advance:thumbsup:
 
You should not be participating in worship services with non-Catholics. By doing so you are validating their beliefs and dogmas which are contrary to the Catholic Faith.

Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos (# 10), Jan. 6, 1928: “So, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics: for the union of Christians can only be promoted by promoting the return to the one true Church of Christ of those who are separated from it…”

Thomas
You keep citing this but it is not in force now. Catholics are allowed to go to such assemblies, but not receive communion.

Pope St. Gelasius I wrote: “Balance the decrees of the canons and consider the precepts of your predecessors, so that those things which the demands of the times require to be relaxed for the rebuilding of the churches may be moderated through careful consideration.”

Later Popes have judged (as is their prerogative) that it is better to relax that precept in our times.
 
The Baltimore Catechism - Revised Edition (1941)
  1. How does a Catholic sin against faith?
A Catholic sins against faith by apostasy, heresy, indifferentism, and by **taking part in non-Catholic worship. **

Thomas
 
"When we visit my mom’s Lutheren sister and her family "

Yeah,but i am talking about my Mother,Father,and Sisters. Not my Moms “Lutheran sister” and such.I don’t mind saying no to a distant relative.
My sisters, two of whom are no longer practicing Catholics, from time to time will attend Mass with my parents and/or me, but not receive.

Knowing them as I do, knowing as I do that they aren’t practicing, I’m happy that they respect our beliefs enough not to recieve. And I’m sure my parents would rather they didn’t receive as well.

There’s nothing to be gained by a hollow show of unity that isn’t really there.
 
Again, canon law from the Roman See takes precedence over a local catechism.
 
"When we visit my mom’s Lutheren sister and her family "

Yeah,but i am talking about my Mother,Father,and Sisters. Not my Moms “Lutheran sister” and such.I don’t mind saying no to a distant relative.
My husband comes from a family of Baptists, in fact, Baptist ministers and it changes nothing…we go to Mass when we are back visiting and on the occassion we go to their service, we respectfully say no to communion.
 
You keep citing this but it is not in force now. Catholics are allowed to go to such assemblies, but not receive communion.
We are not to make a habit of attending non-Catholic services of worship, though, and if one were to err, it would be better to err on the side of too much strictness.

We are also forbidden to actively participate in any way in these services, which precludes not only the reception of Holy Communion, but also any joining in of prayers, singing, or recitations.
 
From a Catholic perspective.Isn’t the Bread and Wine(grape juice at most Protestant churches) considered to be exactly that…just bread and wine? Protestants say they are eating bread and and drinking wine in remembrance anyways. Nobody is trying to even pretend like there is more to it.

What am I supposed to do when I visit my families church from now on?🤷 I don’t always know when they have communion and can’t imagine just refusing it. They already think I am sort of crazy for becoming Catholic. It would seem rude.
Why would you think it rude? Would you also feel it rude of them if they refused Holy Communion at a Catholic Mass?

By participating in their communion, you have made a statement that you agree with their ideology and are part of it or at a minimum see it as a valid alternative to your own faiths Communion.

On a side note shouldn’t you be attending the Catholic Church now? Or do you attend both?

I see this as a problem that many people have today. There has been such a blurring of the the lines between what is real and what is fake, what is acceptable and what is unacceptable and what true adherance to Catholicism really is that many people don’t have a clue what to do in a given situation. They are afraid, as you are of being thought of as rude or arrogant or superior or whatever else.

The plain truth is you need to stand up for the faith and defend it. Explain why you cannot receive. Don’t be ashamed to tell them. Lay it on the line man.
 
We are not to make a habit of attending non-Catholic services of worship, though, and if one were to err, it would be better to err on the side of too much strictness.

We are also forbidden to actively participate in any way in these services, which precludes not only the reception of Holy Communion, but also any joining in of prayers, singing, or recitations.
This is not really the case–of course, I definitely agree that it is better to err on strictness:
  1. In liturgical celebrations taking place in other Churches and ecclesial Communities, Catholics are encouraged to take part in the psalms, responses, hymns and common actions of the Church in which they are guests. If invited by their hosts, they may read a lesson or preach.
    vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/general-docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_19930325_directory_en.html
(note, the surrounding paragraphs explain when this is appropriate).

Of course, if you get a chance to preach, I would assume it would be a good idea to give a witness to the joy of Catholic unity 🙂
 
Use this as a way to talk to your family about Holy Communion. It’s probably the easiest doctrine to defend in the Catholic Church and the most important.
 
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