Reception Of The Holy Eucharist.

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

Pax domini bretheren...

 

I heard at the EF that only baptised roman catholics can recieve the holy eucharist, is this true for all or only true for the EF ? Like i also know that no one can be refused the sacrament by a priest but in general it is a rule right?

[cappie]

From the Code of Canon Law

 

ARTICLE 2:PARTICIPATION IN THE BLESSED EUCHARIST

 

Can. 912 Any baptised person who is not forbidden by law may and must be admitted to holy communion.

 

The simple answer to part 2 is

 

It can be denied under the following circumstances:

 

    1. The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist cannot be administered to members of other religions,

 

Cfr:Canon 844 §1 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments only to catholic members of Christ's faithful, who equally may lawfully receive them only from catholic ministers, except as provided in §§2, 3 and 4 of this canon and in canon 861 §2.

Canon 844 §2 Whenever necessity requires or a genuine spiritual advantage commends it, and provided the danger of error or indifferentism is avoided, Christ's faithful for whom it is physically or morally impossible to approach a catholic minister, may lawfully receive the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick from non-catholic ministers in whose Churches these sacraments are valid.

Canon 844 §3 Catholic ministers may lawfully administer the sacraments of penance, the Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the eastern Churches not in full communion with the catholic Church, if they spontaneously ask for them and are properly disposed. The same applies to members of other Churches which the Apostolic See judges to be in the same position as the aforesaid eastern Churches so far as the sacraments are concerned.

Canon 844 §4 If there is a danger of death or if, in the judgement of the diocesan Bishop or of the Episcopal Conference, there is some other grave and pressing need, catholic ministers may lawfully administer these same sacraments to other christians not in full communion with the catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and who spontaneously ask for them, provided that they demonstrate the catholic faith in respect of these sacraments and are properly disposed.

Canon 844 §5 In respect of the cases dealt with in §§2, 3 and 4, the diocesan Bishop or the Episcopal Conference is not to issue general norms except after consultation with the competent authority, at least at the local level, of the non-catholic Church or community concerned.

 

    2. The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist cannot be administered to those who voluntarily continue to live in grave sin. Canon 915 Those upon whom the penalty of excommunication or interdict has been imposed or declared, and others who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to holy communion.