Why do Protestants want to receive Catholic Eucharist?

[Claire_from_DE]

There has been a lot of discussion about how unreasonable the Catholic church is about asking those who aren’t Catholic to not receive communion in the Catholic church. Knowing that, to Catholics, receiving communion indicates acceptance of all the teachings of Jesus passed down through the church and Protestants don’t accept them all, why do you even want to receive communion here? If I were Protestant, I would not want to give scandal this way.

The few Protestants who do have a Catholic belief in the Eucharist are permitted to received in the Catholic Church if they are unable to get to their own church, feel a great need for the Eucharist, and go to the Catholic pastor for permission to do so. So why would a Protestant with access to his own church want to receive Eucharist in the Catholic church??

I have enough respect for the Orthodox churches, that, even though we have a unity of belief in the Eucharist, I know they don’t want me to receive. If I was somewhere there wasn’t a Catholic church, I might ask an Orthodox priest for permission to receive and, if he said no, I would attend divine liturgy but not receive. Do Catholics and Orthodox have more respect for church authority than Protestants?

 

[khutcheson]

Do Catholics and Orthodox have more respect for church authority than Protestants?

My first response to this post was to take offense, it seems to be another post along the lines of “why Catholics are better than Protestants”. However, upon reflection, I think you might have a point–most Protestants that I know place far more emphasis on our understanding of Biblical authority than the authority of any church.

To address your main point, I have not partaken of the Eucharist when I did attend mass. While I don’t agree with the Catholic Church on this issue, I respect it’s position. In fact, one of the reasons I started exploring Catholicism was because the non-denominational church I currently attend takes a FAR to casual approach to communion.

 

[ralphinal]

My first response to this post was to take offense, it seems to be another post along the lines of “why Catholics are better than Protestants”. However, upon reflection, I think you might have a point–most Protestants that I know place far more emphasis on our understanding of Biblical authority than the authority of any church.

To address your main point, I have not partaken of the Eucharist when I did attend mass. While I don’t agree with the Catholic Church on this issue, I respect it’s position. In fact, one of the reasons I started exploring Catholicism was because the non-denominational church I currently attend takes a FAR to casual approach to communion.

I had to mark that line. To me, this is the main issue about all of it. Even if you don’t like the rule, please accept that it is the rule and respect us.

 

[khutcheson]

I had to mark that line. To me, this is the main issue about all of it. Even if you don’t like the rule, please accept that it is the rule and respect us.

I think I indicated that I have/do.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

My first response to this post was to take offense, it seems to be another post along the lines of “why Catholics are better than Protestants”. However, upon reflection, I think you might have a point–most Protestants that I know place far more emphasis on our understanding of Biblical authority than the authority of any church.

To address your main point, I have not partaken of the Eucharist when I did attend mass. While I don’t agree with the Catholic Church on this issue, I respect it’s position. In fact, one of the reasons I started exploring Catholicism was because the non-denominational church I currently attend takes a FAR to casual approach to communion.

Thanks for respecting our request. I was wondering if Protestants really want to receive communion here (and why) or if they are offended and think we are acting superior because we ask them not to. And it is a request, we don’t ID anyone who comes up to receive. Then it occurred to me the issue might be one of accepting church authority. The bible says ‘do this’ and Catholics accept that the church has the right and obligation to determine when and how.

 

[Publisher]

I have no problem with the rules various faith traditions impose on it’s members or those who attend their meetings for worship, I have attended Catholic, Episcopalian, Methodist, Nazarene, Baptist, UCC, Christian Science, Mormon and Adventist over the years to name a few.

In the more liturgical churches I have not participated in the communion service. In those meetings where it would have been acceptable to do so, I still did not partake. As a Friend we do not traditionally participate in “outward forms”, we seek to witness to the belief that all of life in all it’s aspects has the possibility of being sacramental.

As a Friend I do not wish to cause others to feel I am “too good” to participate in their communion services…I simply do not believe my participation offers any “grace” not given freely by Christ already by faith…without “outward forms”. I choose to acknowledge that all who have a living faith in Christ share in His Life and Incarnation…we are One in Him.

For those who find grace in the “outward forms”, I honor that belief as having “Truth” for them, and I do not wish to minimize their understanding of it by my participation, so I reverently and humbly chose not to participate…not that I believe I would be “sinning” against God by participating, but more that I chose to honor “that of God” in my fellow Christians and respect their beliefs…I do not feel the need to “dishonor” their beliefs by participating in an ordinance I find no value in…even though they may.

It is a personal choice on my part to not “profane” others beliefs. Usually the minister who conducts the communion service announces “The Table of the Lord is for all who have been baptized.” That statement in and of itself disqualifies me anyway…I have not been baptized with water in any outward form.

 

[JonNC]

There has been a lot of discussion about how unreasonable the Catholic church is about asking those who aren’t Catholic to not receive communion in the Catholic church. Knowing that, to Catholics, receiving communion indicates acceptance of all the teachings of Jesus passed down through the church and Protestants don’t accept them all, why do you even want to receive communion here? If I were Protestant, I would not want to give scandal this way.

The few Protestants who do have a Catholic belief in the Eucharist are permitted to received in the Catholic Church if they are unable to get to their own church, feel a great need for the Eucharist, and go to the Catholic pastor for permission to do so. So why would a Protestant with access to his own church want to receive Eucharist in the Catholic church??

I have enough respect for the Orthodox churches, that, even though we have a unity of belief in the Eucharist, I know they don’t want me to receive. If I was somewhere there wasn’t a Catholic church, I might ask an Orthodox priest for permission to receive and, if he said no, I would attend divine liturgy but not receive. Do Catholics and Orthodox have more respect for church authority than Protestants?

I do not “want” to receive the Eucharist in a Catholic church. That would be against her (The Catholic Church’s) wishes. Instead, I pray for the day that the Holy Spirit moves us to unity so we can recieve his true and real body and blood together, as brother and sisters in Christ.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I do not “want” to receive the Eucharist in a Catholic church. That would be against her (The Catholic Church’s) wishes. Instead, I pray for the day that the Holy Spirit moves us to unity so we can recieve his true and real body and blood together, as brother and sisters in Christ.

Amen to that!

 

[khutcheson]

Thanks for respecting our request. I was wondering if Protestants really want to receive communion here (and why) or if they are offended and think we are acting superior because we ask them not to. And it is a request, we don’t ID anyone who comes up to receive. Then it occurred to me the issue might be one of accepting church authority. The bible says ‘do this’ and Catholics accept that the church has the right and obligation to determine when and how.

You’re right, it does seem to me that the Catholic Church is saying that there is something defective with my faith in that I’m not entitled to join with you in communion.

The idea of church authority is somewhat new to me, it was never stressed in the churches I grew up in. In my professional life I have seen church discipline abused and considered it completely unbiblical until recently.

Regardless, I do respect the Catholic Church, and it’s right to determine who is entitled to participate in the sacrament of communion. Moreover, the only appropriate way (IMHO) for a non Catholic to challenge the church is to stay away. I don’t see it as my place to confront or undermine the RCC.

 

[O.S.Luke]

I respect the Catholic Church’s wishes on the matter, and I do not receive the Eucharist in their church.

However, to be baptized and in a Christian assembly where the Eucharist is celebrated and Christ is present, and to know I am not welcome to receive Christ is just too painful to bear for me - so I do not attend Catholic weddings or funerals when a mass is celebrated.

I receive the Eucharist whenever I can, but only where I am welcome to do so. For me, that means in Methodist, Anglican, and Lutheran Churches, mostly.

O+

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I respect the Catholic Church’s wishes on the matter, and I do not receive the Eucharist in their church.

However, to be baptized and in a Christian assembly where the Eucharist is celebrated and Christ is present, and to know I am not welcome to receive Christ is just too painful to bear for me - so I do not attend Catholic weddings or funerals when a mass is celebrated.

I receive the Eucharist whenever I can, but only where I am welcome to do so. For me, that means in Methodist, Anglican, and Lutheran Churches, mostly.

O+

I recognize that pain from times when I have been unable to receive the Eucharist at mass. There are some Catholics who sometimes refrain from communion in order to experience that pain in order to increase their desire for the sacrament or for an intention like Christian unity. To me, that would be counter intuitive and I’ve never done it. It was bad enough not to be able to receive because of sin.

 

[garytb]

I imagine the same number of Catholics would love to be part of and receive Protestant communion as much this ridiculous thread claims in the reverse.
Some Protestants have certain requirements for their communion which would restrict Catholics and even other Protestants from receiving communion at their church. Likemindedness might be a good way to sum it up.
Peace.

 

[Semper_Fi_1]

My first response to this post was to take offense, it seems to be another post along the lines of “why Catholics are better than Protestants”. However, upon reflection, I think you might have a point–most Protestants that I know place far more emphasis on our understanding of Biblical authority than the authority of any church.

To address your main point, I have not partaken of the Eucharist when I did attend mass. While I don’t agree with the Catholic Church on this issue, I respect it’s position. In fact, one of the reasons I started exploring Catholicism was because the non-denominational church I currently attend takes a FAR to casual approach to communion.

klutch, do you accept the Catholic believe of the real presence of Christ (Body, Blood Soul & Divinity) in the Eucharist?

if not, then why would you WANT to receive the eucharist? accepting the eucharist is a sign that you are in a state of grace with the church (something not even all Catholics can partake of, myself included at times), and that you have had all the other sacraments that go along with receiving it (i.e. the sacrament of reconciliation). it is a marriage and a bond into a community and family: a sign of communion.

 

[Semper_Fi_1]

You’re right, it does seem to me that the Catholic Church is saying that there is something defective with my faith in that I’m not entitled to join with you in communion.

there is, you don’t have the sacraments. it’s why we strive for unity with all of our Christian brothers! btw, no one is EVER ‘entitled’ to communion. none of us are ‘entitled’ to the sacrifice that Christ made on the Cross, but if we accept it He will give Himself to us in the Eucharist.

 

[ralphinal]

You know, you can’t vote if you are not a citizen. You cannot go to a gym if you are not a member. You cannot use the universities facilities if you are not enrolled. Are these things unfair?

 

[bengal_fan]

i completely respect the catholic view on this issue and do not partake of the eucharist when i am at a mass (even though i believe in the real presence).

that being said, i do not agree with the “closed table” of the catholic (or any other denomination for that matter) church. if it is the body and blood of Christ, who are we to deny it to anyone. paul admonishes each person to take stock of themselves before coming to the table. he does not put that responsibility on a priest, bishop, or even the church. i do understand the desire to “protect the body of Jesus from would be corrupters” but i guess i feel Jesus can take care of Himself and doesn’t need me for protection. i don’t think He would fault me for trying to share Him with others. just my opinion.

i am not arguing, just stating my disagreement. i will always respect the wishes of those i am visiting (after all, i am the guest in those situations and the guest should not impose themselves upon their hosts).

 

[khutcheson]

You know, you can’t vote if you are not a citizen. You cannot go to a gym if you are not a member. You cannot use the universities facilities if you are not enrolled. Are these things unfair?

Have I ever used the word unfair? I don’t see the concept of fairness as being applicable here. If fairness were the issue I’d be first in line on the path to eternal damnation.

 

[khutcheson]

there is, you don’t have the sacraments. it’s why we strive for unity with all of our Christian brothers! btw, no one is EVER ‘entitled’ to communion. none of us are ‘entitled’ to the sacrifice that Christ made on the Cross, but if we accept it He will give Himself to us in the Eucharist.

Ouch.

Entitled is a bad word. I should have used the word welcome.

 

[ralphinal]

Have I ever used the word unfair? I don’t see the concept of fairness as being applicable here. If fairness were the issue I’d be first in line on the path to eternal damnation.

No, you did not. I should have pointed out that this was directed at others. Your position is considerate and understandable, and you have never claimed it to be an unfair practice.

 

[zagjames]

i completely respect the catholic view on this issue and do not partake of the eucharist when i am at a mass (even though i believe in the real presence).

that being said, i do not agree with the “closed table” of the catholic (or any other denomination for that matter) church. if it is the body and blood of Christ, who are we to deny it to anyone. paul admonishes each person to take stock of themselves before coming to the table. he does not put that responsibility on a priest, bishop, or even the church. i do understand the desire to “protect the body of Jesus from would be corrupters” but i guess i feel Jesus can take care of Himself and doesn’t need me for protection. i don’t think He would fault me for trying to share Him with others. just my opinion.

It is partly about protecting the body of Christ, but it is also an act of love for those who shouldnt recieve. To tell someone not to partake in the Eucharist because they do not agree with our teachings on the Eucharist, or confession, etc. is to save them from taking the Body and Blood in an unworthy manner. It keeps them from sinning. The church trying to do a fovor to those not in the church and those who are in sin.