Why does the Catholic Church Deny Protestants Communion?

[Church_Militant]

NON-CATHOLICS AND COMMUNION

Because non-Catholics lack visible communion with the Church, it is not normally possible for them to receive Communion at Mass. However, there are certain situations in which they can. The pontiff explains that “in this case, in fact, the intention is to meet a grave spiritual need for the eternal salvation of an individual believer, not to bring about an intercommunion that remains impossible until the visible bonds of ecclesial communion are fully re-established” (EDE 45).

The required conditions are set forth in the Code of Canon Law. In the case of Eastern Christians, who have valid Eucharists, the Code provides that they may receive reconciliation, Communion, or the anointing of the sick “if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed” (CIC 844 §3).

In the case of Protestant Christians, however, the requirements are more extensive. Due to the absence of valid holy orders in their communities, Protestants do not have valid Eucharists. They also frequently do not share the Church’s beliefs concerning the Eucharist.

As a result, the Code provides that “if the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed” (§4).

In his encyclical, the Pontiff stresses that “these conditions, from which no dispensation can be given, must be carefully respected, even though they deal with specific individual cases. . . . The faithful observance of the body of norms established in this area is a manifestation and, at the same time, a guarantee of our love for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, for our brothers and sisters of different Christian confessions—who have a right to our witness to the truth—and for the cause itself of the promotion of unity” (46).

LINK
(Cont’d)

 

[Church_Militant]

1. The safeguarding and promotion of ecclesial communion is a task of each member of the faithful, who finds in the Eucharist, as the sacrament of the Church’s unity, an area of special concern. More specifically, this task is the particular responsibility of the Church’s Pastors, each according to his rank and ecclesiastical office. For this reason the Church has drawn up norms aimed both at fostering the frequent and fruitful access of the faithful to the Eucharistic table and at determining the objective conditions under which communion may not be given. The care shown in promoting the faithful observance of these norms becomes a practical means of showing love for the Eucharist and for the Church.

1. In considering the Eucharist as the sacrament of ecclesial communion, there is one subject which, due to its importance, must not be overlooked: I am referring to the relationship of the Eucharist to ecumenical activity. We should all give thanks to the Blessed Trinity for the many members of the faithful throughout the world who in recent decades have felt an ardent desire for unity among all Christians. The Second Vatican Council, at the beginning of its Decree on Ecumenism, sees this as a special gift of God.89 It was an efficacious grace which inspired us, the sons and daughters of the Catholic Church and our brothers and sisters from other Churches and Ecclesial Communities, to set forth on the path of ecumenism.

Our longing for the goal of unity prompts us to turn to the Eucharist, which is the supreme sacrament of the unity of the People of God, in as much as it is the apt expression and the unsurpassable source of that unity.90 In the celebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice the Church prays that God, the Father of mercies, will grant his children the fullness of the Holy Spirit so that they may become one body and one spirit in Christ.91 In raising this prayer to the Father of lights, from whom comes every good endowment and every perfect gift (cf. Jas 1:17), the Church believes that she will be heard, for she prays in union with Christ her Head and Spouse, who takes up this plea of his Bride and joins it to that of his own redemptive sacrifice.

1. Precisely because the Church’s unity, which the Eucharist brings about through the Lord’s sacrifice and by communion in his body and blood, absolutely requires full communion in the bonds of the profession of faith, the sacraments and ecclesiastical governance, it is not possible to celebrate together the same Eucharistic liturgy until those bonds are fully re-established. Any such concelebration would not be a valid means, and might well prove instead to be an obstacle, to the attainment of full communion, by weakening the sense of how far we remain from this goal and by introducing or exacerbating ambiguities with regard to one or another truth of the faith. The path towards full unity can only be undertaken in truth. In this area, the prohibitions of Church law leave no room for uncertainty,92 in fidelity to the moral norm laid down by the Second Vatican Council.93

I would like nonetheless to reaffirm what I said in my Encyclical Letter Ut Unum Sint after having acknowledged the impossibility of Eucharistic sharing: “And yet we do have a burning desire to join in celebrating the one Eucharist of the Lord, and this desire itself is already a common prayer of praise, a single supplication. Together we speak to the Father and increasingly we do so ‘with one heart’”.94

1. While it is never legitimate to concelebrate in the absence of full communion, the same is not true with respect to the administration of the Eucharist under special circumstances, to individual persons belonging to Churches or Ecclesial Communities not in full communion with the Catholic Church. In this case, in fact, the intention is to meet a grave spiritual need for the eternal salvation of an individual believer, not to bring about an intercommunion which remains impossible until the visible bonds of ecclesial communion are fully re-established.

This was the approach taken by the Second Vatican Council when it gave guidelines for responding to Eastern Christians separated in good faith from the Catholic Church, who spontaneously ask to receive the Eucharist from a Catholic minister and are properly disposed.95 This approach was then ratified by both Codes, which also consider – with necessary modifications – the case of other non-Eastern Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church.96

(Cont’d)

 

[Church_Militant]

1. In my Encyclical Ut Unum Sint I expressed my own appreciation of these norms, which make it possible to provide for the salvation of souls with proper discernment: “It is a source of joy to note that Catholic ministers are able, in certain particular cases, to administer the sacraments of the Eucharist, Penance and Anointing of the Sick to Christians who are not in full communion with the Catholic Church but who greatly desire to receive these sacraments, freely request them and manifest the faith which the Catholic Church professes with regard to these sacraments. Conversely, in specific cases and in particular circumstances, Catholics too can request these same sacraments from ministers of Churches in which these sacraments are valid”.97

These conditions, from which no dispensation can be given, must be carefully respected, even though they deal with specific individual cases, because the denial of one or more truths of the faith regarding these sacraments and, among these, the truth regarding the need of the ministerial priesthood for their validity, renders the person asking improperly disposed to legitimately receiving them. And the opposite is also true: Catholics may not receive communion in those communities which lack a valid sacrament of Orders.98

The faithful observance of the body of norms established in this area 99 is a manifestation and, at the same time, a guarantee of our love for Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, for our brothers and sisters of different Christian confessions – who have a right to our witness to the truth – and for the cause itself of the promotion of unity.

LINK

Because we refuse to offer false witness to them of a unity that is not there.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum,

 

[fix]

Here’s a question. Marriage is a sacrament in the Catholic Church. Husband and wife are one according to scripture.

Does each sacramental marriage mean each person in such a union is in full communion with the Church? I ask because I know there are sacramental marriages that exist where neither baptized person is Catholic as in full communion with the Church.

Wife converts to the Catholic faith. Husband remains Protestant. Husband attends Catholic mass and wife takes communion yet, notwithstanding that they are one, the Protestant husband must abstain.

If the husband wants to be in full communion with the Church why does he not take the steps to fully become a formal member?

Sooooo…husband and wife are in sacramental union yet cannot take communion with each other? The husband is not in communion with his wife and vice-versa?

Seems illogical. A sacramental marriage in no way equals full comunion with the Church.

 

[fix]

That’s a bit too simple I think. If the husband is not in communion with the Church, then he also is not in communion with his wife…yet his wife is in communion with the church. Bit circular. Also, seems a preposterous to me that Christ can say that husband and wife are one, and that noone should put asunder what God has joined, yet husband and wife cannot be in communion with each other because the Church states that the husband cannot take communion.

If you intend to mean husband and wife are one in the sense both persons cease to exist independently then does it follow if one commits a mortal sin, both are guilty?

 

[rr1213]

Boy, seems like I touched on a sore point…

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Hi,
I found out the hard way about catholics excluding protestants from communion. I honestly had no idea about the real presence because I was not raised catholic. So why would I–right.

I have been to many catholic services and had always received communion. I thought nothing of it when I went to a Holy Communion for my neighbor and went up for communion.

The priest went to hand me the wafer and he said"This is the body and blood of Christ" and then waited for me to respond. Well of course I stood there thinking UH OH Im suppose to say something, but I had no clue. He asked me if I was catholic and of course I said no. He then flicked his hand at me and told me to move along. You can imagine the array of feelings I went through. I was . This priest had given me communion before.

I was so angry because I am a follower of Christ and completely felt rejected. I was so mad I wrote a letter to the Pope. I never sent it. I just needed to vent.

When I told my catholic friends they were shocked that he just didnt bless me. I have to say if he did that I would have been fine. He was just so nasty and a bit hostile because I wasnt catholic and Im sure in his eyes trying to take the Eucharist without knowing the rules. I have to say he turned me off from the CC. You know in Proverbs it says a kind word turns away strife(paraphrasing). There was NO LOVE shown to me that day. He appeared to be rejecting me simply because I was not catholic. I dont care what the rules are–THAT IS SIMPLY WRONG! The blessing would have been the way to show love to someone who isnt catholic.

When I told my protestant friends they said I was better off not receiving communion because I did not believe the same way.

Needless to say, I wont go up for communion anymore. Ive learned my lesson.

 

[jmcrae]

A lot of priests don’t give blessings in the Communion line-up - it’s not actually part of the rubrics of the Mass.

Yes, it is a nice custom, but always check ahead of time to make sure that this particular priest knows about the custom and participates in it.

If he doesn’t, you can stay in the pew and pray for Christian unity, and you can also pray an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is simply to tell Jesus, “if I could receive You in Holy Communion, I would, but since I can’t, please come to me spiritually, in my heart.” Or words to that effect - there are some beautiful Acts of Spiritual Communion on the Internet, and if you google for them, you’ll get a nice list to choose from.

One time before I became Catholic, I went up in the Communion line to request a blessing, and the priest smacked me on the forehead and wished me a “nice day.” I didn’t take it personally - I just decided, “Okay - he doesn’t like Protestants.” Priests are human, too.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

One time before I became Catholic, I went up in the Communion line to request a blessing, and the priest smacked me on the forehead and wished me a “nice day.” I didn’t take it personally - I just decided, “Okay - he doesn’t like Protestants.” Priests are human, too.

Hi,
LOL really, was he mean though?Thanks for the info.

 

[RyanL]

One time before I became Catholic, I went up in the Communion line to request a blessing, and the priest smacked me on the forehead and wished me a “nice day.” I didn’t take it personally - I just decided, “Okay - he doesn’t like Protestants.” Priests are human, too.

I’m not sure whether to laugh or cry.

God Bless,
RyanL

 

[jmcrae]

Hi,
LOL really, was he mean though? Thanks for the info.

Not really - just kind of abrupt.

I’ve read for him at Mass a few times since I became Catholic, and he’s really nice to work with - very pleasant gentleman - but I haven’t reminded him of that incident - it seems like such a long time ago.

 

[Mickey]

He then flicked his hand at me and told me to move along.

Most priests in this situation will give you a blessing. Perhaps this priest was having a bad day. Please don’t take it personally.

 

[ALLFORHIM]

Most priests in this situation will give you a blessing. Perhaps this priest was having a bad day. Please don’t take it personally.

Hi,
Who knows. If he was in a bad mood then he should probably evaluate himself as how to treat people when in a bad mood. I did take it personally for obvious reasons but I am trying to get over it. I will be going back to the church for my friends kids confirmation. Needless to say I wont be going up for communion.

 

[quasimodo]

With regard to closed communion, it is important to emphasize that it is not a new rule put in place because of the reformation. It has been a rule of the church for 2000 years. From the begining, those not in a state of grace, not in union with the bishop ( in union with the whole church) or who did not believe the church’s teachings, have not been permitted to receive communion. In other words, it is a rule recognized, respectedand practiced by all Christians until the palgue of false ecumenism.

 

[rr1213]

If he doesn’t, you can stay in the pew and pray for Christian unity, and you can also pray an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is simply to tell Jesus, “if I could receive You in Holy Communion, I would, but since I can’t, please come to me spiritually, in my heart.” Or words to that effect -

So, does the Catholic Church consider Protestant Eucharists to be Acts of Spiritual Communion?

 

[Maureen_Fiore]

Catholics believe that when we celebrate the Eucharist it is a sign of the reality and oneness of faith and worship. Protestants are not fully united with us and therefore are not admitted to Communion. According to Scripture it is quite clear that when we partake in the Eucharist it is the highest signs of Christian Unity. In order for other non-Catholics to receive Holy Communion it would mean a unity exist. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

 

[mlchance]

Maybe I’m just not understanding?

That wouldn’t be you not understanding.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[Mickey]

If he was in a bad mood then he should probably evaluate himself as how to treat people when in a bad mood.

Yes. We all should do this. Just please try not to judge all priests harshly on the actions of this one priest on this particular day.

Peace

 

[Mickey]

So, does the Catholic Church consider Protestant Eucharists to be Acts of Spiritual Communion?

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

[1400](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/1400.htm’) Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church, "have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders."239 It is for this reason that, for the Catholic Church, Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible. However these ecclesial communities, "when they commemorate the Lord’s death and resurrection in the Holy Supper . . . profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in glory."

 

[jmcrae]

So, does the Catholic Church consider Protestant Eucharists to be Acts of Spiritual Communion?

I don’t think we have any kind of an official teaching about the spiritual effects of other people’s practices.

We listen to what they say they believe about it (ie: that it is a symbolic ordinance) and evaluate our own response to it (ie: don’t participate in it) from there, but I don’t think we try to evaluate what’s going on in the hearts of Protestants while they are doing this.