Communion means to become one with
But where would the separated brethren fit into all this? Aren’t they considered part of the church?
In a sense–and indeed, nonChristians are part of the Church as well (as all humanity is in that sense a part). . .but they do not recognize/understand it.
Hi Diana the RCC would never turn down communion to anyone. But before a Priest can give communion to anyone he must keep his promise to God and teach the meaning of what communion is.
So they say
there are many ways to separate from the Church and from Jesus. not only belonging to another religion, but also sinning. so even Catholics who commit mortal sin have damaged relationship with Jesus and His Church, and thus cannot receive Holy Communion. the one way to repair this relationship is through Confession. the absolution granted by the priest not only grants us forgiveness of our sins from God, but also reinstates the fullness of our membership in Christ’s Church. thus we become worthy to receive Him
Yep. And I bet she respectfully takes her shoes off whenever she visits a Japanese restaurant, and puts on a veil if she visits a Mosque, and bows politely to her Chinese friends, because that’s what good, well-educated people do, to show respect for their neighbors.
The priests and ministers are required to assume that they are distributing Holy Communion to faithful, practicing Catholics who have been to Confession since the last time they committed mortal sin.
The communion that comes with receiving the eucharist requires commitment. The priest presents the host to us and says “Body of Christ.” Anyone receiving must say “Amen.” This brief exchange holds great significance. For if we consent to the statement that the host is the real Body of Christ, we also consent to the belief that the priest has the power to confect the sacrament. And if the priest has the power to confect the sacrament, then the Church had the authority to consecrate that man as a priest of Christ. And if the Church had that power to do such a thing, then it also has the authority given by God to teach what is true. The eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and is not undertaken lightly. For that reason, I would not want to counsel my friend the Lutheran to partake of the sacrament under false pretenses. If he says “Amen” when presented with the host while not truly believing all that this consent implies, then he or she is committing a sacrilege - or at the very least a gross irreverence. What the Church is doing by not having an open communion is acknowledging the truth of the protestant reformation. It is the Lutherans who walked away from the table in protest when they denied the Church. What the Catholic Church is doing honors that protest and preserves the faithful protestant from harming themselves spiritually, and creating a grave scandal for others. If a Lutheran wants to come to a Catholic mass and receive the eucharist, one has to ask why? If he truly thinks it a meaningful thing, then he should not be a Lutheran - he should be Catholic.
The Church is the Body of Christ. Even atheists, insofar as they pursue virtue, are connected to the Body of Christ by means of their practice of virtue.Ok help me out here - non-Christians and all of humanity are part of the Church?
The Catholic Church did not put that label on you. You chose it. If you’re that close to being Catholic, and are in fact more Catholic than Lutheran, then perhaps you should consider coming into the Catholic Church formally. As it is, your decision to remain formally associated with a separated church community is sufficient reason for the Church to formally proclaim that your receipt of the sacrament would not be appropriate.
My question in regards to this whole matter, is why in the world would you even want to receive it in the Roman Catholic Church if you’re not Roman Catholic? As a Lutheran, I believe that we have the real presence. I also believe that Roman Catholics have the real presence (as well as the Orthodox). But since I have it in the Church that I fully agree with, why would I feel the need to receive it in the Church that I don’t fully agree with? What would I have to prove by receiving it at a Mass? It just isn’t logical.
I would never go so far to say I am more Catholic than Lutheran. Perhaps I am seeing many Catholics that are even less Catholic than I am. For the record, and no offense is intended. I can see absolutely no circumstance where I would ever become Catholic but that doesn’t mean I think every bit of it is in error…in fact I would say the majority is not. It’s not an anti-Catholic sentiment. I can’t see any reason I would ever become United Methodist or Presbyterian. Yet. I am fully welcome at both those churches and fully capable and welcome to take communion and I would find doing so to be meaningful.
Because sometimes it’s where I am do to relatives, etc.
i agree with you on this
I’m not sure how you would know this, but even if it’s true, it is between them and God, whether or not they receive Holy Communion. Hopefully they aren’t doing so in a state of mortal sin, but again, that’s nobody’s business but theirs, if they are adults (and nobody’s business but their parents’ if they are children or teens).
If they want to learn more about it, invite them to come to RCIA Inquiry meetings, or else take time to meet with them and teach them.
I’m in total agreement with you there. I believe the Orthodox churches have the real presence, but many orthodox churches are a closed communion even to Catholics. I don’t feel deprived one bit, and I don’t understand why non-Catholics would feel deprived if they cannot receive a Catholic sacrament they either reject outright or believe they can equally partake in at a church that supports their faith. Nonsensical indeed.
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