Why are you not Catholic?

[PRmerger]

They’re not in communion with what is known as the Catholic Church.

They are in every substantial way, save for belief in the primacy of the pope.

 

[Micosil]

They are in every substantial way, save for belief in the primacy of the pope.

Unfortunately, belief in the Papal doctrines is a deal-breaker, as is any infallibly defined de fide doctrine. Full communion requires this. Not trying to undermine this church or its sacraments, just saying that there’s requirements for full communion with the Catholic Church.

 

[PRmerger]

Unfortunately, belief in the Papal doctrines is a deal-breaker, as is any infallibly defined de fide doctrine. Full communion requires this. Not trying to undermine this church or its sacraments, just saying that there’s requirements for full communion with the Catholic Church.

Sure. I never said they were in full communion.

 

[Micosil]

Sure. I never said they were in full communion.

 

[Horton]

Well I’m not sure how you could be prevented from partaking in communion/eucharist. Christ didn’t say it depended on a piece of paper or membership in a ‘denomination’. If you’re a Christian then you participate in eating the bread/wafer and wine. Whether you believe it is symbolic or transubstantiation… that’s in your own head and beyond the reach of any earthly authority.

Earthly authority didn’t give me the privilege of partaking of the Eucharist. Truth be told it was the Holy Spirit for me. While in RCIA I learned what the Eucharist was, but also during that time the Holy Spirit was preparing me interiorly for reception of the Eucharist. Now at Mass when I receive there is no ambiguity on what exactly the Body & Blood of Jesus is.

While the is a record at my parish of my Baptism, Confirmation, and first Holy Communion my partaking of the Eucharist is not dependant on my parish having them. I can go to any Catholic Mass, receive the Eucharist and not have to show a piece of paper to prove I’m able.

 

[outremer]

To be fair, there are countless Catholics who do not fully believe or accept every doctrine or policy of the Catholic Church, and they receive Eucharist on a weekly basis. All my life, virtually everyone lines up to partake at the Masses I have attended and now attend with my family. So, I don’t see why it is a problem for Orthodox, PNCC adherents, or other Trinitarian Christians to receive Communion?

None of us is perfect.

Guidelines for the Reception of Communion

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 §4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 §3).

 

[PRmerger]

To be fair, there are countless Catholics who do not fully believe or accept every doctrine of the Catholic Church’s doctrine or policies, and they receive Eucharist on a weekly basis. All my life, virtually everyone lines up to partake at the Masses I have attended and now attend with my family. So, I don’t see why it is a problem for Orthodox, PNCC adherents, or other Trinitarian Christians to receive Communion?

That’s like saying “To be fair, there are countless couples who are not married and they have sex on a weekly basis, so I don’t see why the Catholic Church says that you have to be married to give yourself fully to each other.”

None of us is perfect.

That’s a nonsequitur.

No one is perfect, true. But that’s not a requirement for receiving Him. One has to be in a state of grace, free from mortal sin.

 

[GUYMAN]

They’re not in communion with what is known as the Catholic Church, but they have valid sacraments, and canon laws apply to them that members of this church, if properly dispensed and if no minister is available from their church, they may receive the Eucharist (among other sacraments) from Catholic priests.

The above statement is correct for the most part - I would just add that we are indeed Catholic, but not Roman Catholic.

 

[rcwitness]

It is done. I had it done earlier today.

My wife’s health is the only reason why this was done. She cannot get pregnant again as it will put her into a wheelchair for life or worse. That is my reasoning for having got the vasectomy done.

If for whatever reason I am wrong and I end up in he’ll, so be it, at least I can say that I put my wife’s health first and I will be satisfied with that,but I know that I am not condemned, I am saved and that is all that matters.

First and foremost, I respect your situation. It’s not an easy thing to just dismiss. Blame worthiness has relevance here. If I judge you, I would be judging myself for things worse.

However, the use of contraception is either right or wrong. I believe the Church has Taught definitive and authorities on the issue.

You have great confidence in your salvation! Amen. It’s true we do not know His judgement until He gives it. But you can have peace in knowing He will be faithful to His promises.

One thing that strikes me as unfortunate in your final statement is that you are “saved and that is all that matters”. I think that kinda contradicts itself. We are saved, so now everything matters. We believe in purgatory. Dealing with something in purgatory is worse than dealing with it here. I say this for myself and others to be compelled to suffer against sin here and now because it won’t just go away because He saves us. Rather it will be dealt with because He saves us!

 

[Memaw]

I’ll give you two:
Eastern Orthodox Church
Oriental Orthodox Church

And they are both Catholic even if in schism. Still have the same beliefs and 7 Sacraments. Just not under the authority of the Pope. The are NOT heretics! Still Catholic !God Bless, Memaw

 

[crai7]

We would prevent you by letting you know that non-Catholics cannot join in our communion.

It would be a LIE to receive communion when you are…NOT in communion.

NO, if you’re a Christian you are in communion with the body of Christ!

I’ve never heard a Protestant minister EVER say to those in attendance, that they cannot participate in communion because they are Catholic or a ‘non-member’ of whatever denomination!

Even your own canon law (844) allows exceptions where Catholics may participate in communion with other denominations.

So then, to deny a visitor - especially a Christian family member of a Catholic congregant - communion is mean spirited in the extreme!!!

 

[PRmerger]

NO, if you’re a Christian you are in communion with the body of Christ!

Sure. Just imperfectly joined.

I’ve never heard a Protestant minister EVER say to those in attendance, that they cannot participate in communion because they are Catholic or a ‘non-member’ of whatever denomination!

Ok.

Even your own canon law (844) allows exceptions where Catholics may participate in communion with other denominations.

So then, to deny a visitor - especially a Christian family member of a Catholic congregant - communion is mean spirited in the extreme!!!

This demonstrates an extremely impoverished understanding of the Eucharist.

What you are saying is like your daughter saying, “You are mean-spirited in the extreme for telling me I can’t have sex with every single guy on the football team! How dare you! I love each and every one of those boys!”

 

[crai7]

Sure. Just imperfectly joined.

Ok.

This demonstrates an extremely impoverished understanding of the Eucharist.

What you are saying is like your daughter saying, “You are mean-spirited in the extreme for telling me I can’t have sex with every single guy on the football team! How dare you! I love each and every one of those boys!”

Impoverished understanding of the Eucharist - how so?

 

[spedteacherita]

Impoverished understanding of the Eucharist - how so?

Our church publishes a statement of understanding of what the Lord Supper means. It begins with, “If you are baptized…” which is one of the most important features of being able to commune. Once you’ve read our statement of faith and what the Body and Blood of our Lord means then you may be able to commune at the altar with us. We, as a church body, want visitors to know so that they do not eat without the proper understanding.

God bless!

Rita

 

[Harystolho]

While I understand that some Catholics aren’t as fellowship-oriented as Protestants are used to, please don’t let this deter you from considering joining the Catholic Church. The Bible that you obviously love was compiled by Catholics and is a Catholic group of writings. Jesus established the Catholic Church, and He is present in the tabernacle so you can visit Him. You can receive Him in Holy Communion if you are properly prepared.

I would be very happy to correspond with you and have discussions with you about this if you need evidence that the Catholic Church is the church that Jesus founded. Please feel free to PM me anytime.

I tried to PM you but I couldn’t.
I’m Catholic and I believe the Catholic Church was funded by Jesus but I can’t remember the proves to tell me friends if you can help me

 

[crai7]

Our church publishes a statement of understanding of what the Lord Supper means. It begins with, “If you are baptized…” which is one of the most important features of being able to commune. Once you’ve read our statement of faith and what the Body and Blood of our Lord means then you may be able to commune at the altar with us. We, as a church body, want visitors to know so that they do not eat without the proper understanding.

God bless!

Rita

This is what I’m not understanding regarding what PRmerger is saying. I don’t understand what the issue is - especially given that many non-Catholics accept transubstantiation?

 

[PRmerger]

This is what I’m not understanding regarding what PRmerger is saying. I don’t understand what the issue is - especially given that many non-Catholics accept transubstantiation?

Saying “But I love him!” is not enough reason to have sex with him.

You need to be fully committed to him through marriage.

Similarly, saying, “But I believe in transubstantiation” is not enough reason to receive the Eucharist.

You need to be fully committed to His Body through joining the CC.

 

[glad2bhome]

It is done. I had it done earlier today.

My wife’s health is the only reason why this was done. She cannot get pregnant again as it will put her into a wheelchair for life or worse. That is my reasoning for having got the vasectomy done.

If for whatever reason I am wrong and I end up in he’ll, so be it, at least I can say that I put my wife’s health first and I will be satisfied with that,but I know that I am not condemned, I am saved and that is all that matters.

I’ve been a lurker on and off for years. I joined when I “came home”, but have found I don’t feel at home. Following this thread has left my heart breaking a bit. I have been questioning my faith for many reasons. One primary reason being the non welcoming aspect of the church and communion.

I just want to say to lonegreywolf20, I will say a prayer for you and your wife. The Lutheran faith is one I am looking towards and I found your postings heartfelt.
.

 

[PRmerger]

I’ve been a lurker on and off for years. I joined when I “came home”, but have found I don’t feel at home. Following this thread has left my heart breaking a bit. I have been questioning my faith for many reasons. One primary reason being the non welcoming aspect of the church and communion.

I don’t think you should judge a church on how welcoming it is.

That would be like dismissing Jesus because one of his disciples didn’t smile at you.

I just want to say to lonegreywolf20, I will say a prayer for you and your wife. The Lutheran faith is one I am looking towards and I found your postings heartfelt.
.

Good luck on your faith journey, but I would caution you from “church shopping”, glad2bhome. That’s the epitome of creating a god after your own self.

Don’t find a church that conforms to your views.

Find the Church Christ established, and the conform your views to His.

For it stands to reason, that if there is a God, then His Ways are not going to be your ways.

As Pastor Tim Keller says, paraphrasing, “If your god happens to agree with everything you believe, then you may just be worshipping an idealized version of yourself.”

 

[lonegreywolf20]

I’ve been a lurker on and off for years. I joined when I “came home”, but have found I don’t feel at home. Following this thread has left my heart breaking a bit. I have been questioning my faith for many reasons. One primary reason being the non welcoming aspect of the church and communion.

I just want to say to lonegreywolf20, I will say a prayer for you and your wife. The Lutheran faith is one I am looking towards and I found your postings heartfelt.
.

Thank you, glad2bhome!

I cannot say much about the Lutheran church as it may be considered proselytizing, but I will say that the Lutheran church is an answer to a prayer of mine for over five years that I find a church where God wants me and my family to be. It took one Lutheran service to realize that we were home and that God answered my prayer.