Non Catholics Participating In The Eucharist

[Ellenita]

I spoke to a friend last night about my decision to become catholic. She is a protestant but has not gone to any church for many years though she describes herself as a christian with a strong faith. She may well come to the Easter Vigil.
Our conversation turned to the Eucharist and I told her that non catholics shouldn't take communion in a catholic church because of the difference in understanding of what it is. She knew about the difference but then said she had been in many catholic churches in the past where the priest had said anyone who wanted to take communion could do so! I was surprised about this - is she right? Has anyone experienced this? I think she might decide to take communion at the Easter Vigil and I want to be clear about telling her what the church teaches before then.

[Dave]

Any priest who allows non-Catholics to receive Holy Communion is in [b]serious error[/b]. I've heard of priests who do this, but they're definitely not supposed to do so.

[PhatPhred]

[quote name='Dave' date='Mar 17 2004, 08:37 AM']Any priest who allows non-Catholics to receive Holy Communion is in [b]serious error[/b].[/quote]
The priest in Ellenita's post is clearly in serious error, and her friend should not be partaking in the Eucharist. However, as it stands the above statement is a bit extreme. Non-christians should never partake; Protestants can partake but only under very limited and extraordinary circumstances; Eastern Orthodox can partake under very general restrictions.

[popestpiusx]

For a non-catholic to recieve the Holy Eucharist, even if they believe in the Real Presence, is something of a lie. It expreeses a unity of faith that simply does not exist with them. I suppose there are circumstances where it is permissable, but these are exceptionaly rare. I know of a priest who makes it common practice to invite all to communion. His parish caters to the divorced and re-married, qwerties, and all other sorts miscreants. I must say though, his "masses" are at best extremely illicit (improper form and matter, questionable intention) and at worst, simply invalid. And to top things off, he talks like Jerry Lewis. This all most unfortunate as his church is the oldest and one of the most beautiful in town.

[cmotherofpirl]

What does your bishop say about this?

[popestpiusx]

He does what any good bishop would do, ignore it. (Just kidding about the good bishop part). In all seriousness, he simply does not care. This is the same guy that threw a fit over the fact that the Girm demands kneeling for the Canon. He also attempted to strictly enforce a "no kneeling for communion" policy, ignoring clear direction from Rome. He once defended the notion that Christ could have set aside his dic=vinity and that this would have made it possible for Him to sin.
This is fairly common though. I suppose I am not surprised. Just annoyed and concerned for the souls who he is leading into serious eror.

[Ash Wednesday]

Non-Catholics are not permitted to take Eucharist -- on the flip side, I don't think Catholics are permitted to take the communion bread at non-Catholic churches, either. Like piusx pointed out, it's living the lie that unity exists when it really doesn't.

I don't understand why people take it so "personally" when the Church does this. I had relatives throw a big stink at my mom's funeral (at the reception afterwards, at least...) my cousin, who is Lutheran went up and took Eucharist but he seriously didn't know what he was doing and was following my brothers. I didn't know it happened until my aunt asked me about it afterwards. I was probably up taking communion when they were following. He probably hadn't been to church since he was a toddler, who knows. Kind of mind boggling considering the priest instructed the congregation that only Catholics were permitted to take communion. But afterwards the subject of it came up, his mom asked me if what he did was okay and I politely told her that it wasn't permitted (but I was respectful and I acknowledged he didn't know what he was doing) and boy my two aunts made a stink about that, as did my cousin (not the Lutheran) and sister in law. "big woop, we all believe in Jesus!" "I don't need to go to church to pray to God anyway!"

I tried to explain to them the why's -- but they were pretty persistent in not wanting to really hear me out or respect it.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='popestpiusx' date='Mar 17 2004, 01:30 PM'] He does what any good bishop would do, ignore it. (Just kidding about the good bishop part). In all seriousness, he simply does not care. This is the same guy that threw a fit over the fact that the Girm demands kneeling for the Canon. He also attempted to strictly enforce a "no kneeling for communion" policy, ignoring clear direction from Rome. He once defended the notion that Christ could have set aside his dic=vinity and that this would have made it possible for Him to sin.
This is fairly common though. I suppose I am not surprised. Just annoyed and concerned for the souls who he is leading into serious eror. [/quote]
How sad.
The last time a priest tried something here( he spoke out for women's ordination in a sermon) he was removed the next day.

[Brother Adam]

I accidently took communion at a Catholic Church in HS because I did not know that I wasn't suppose to. Being Lutheran at the time it seemed like the same thing to me. Glad I know better now!

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' date='Mar 17 2004, 01:40 PM'] I don't understand why people take it so "personally" when the Church does this. [/quote]



People take it personally because they assume they have a right to the Eucharist.

[hermit]

If I'm not mistaken, non Catholics can come foreward during the communion service, but instead of recieving the Host they are to cross their arms over their chest and the Priest will impart a Blessing upon them, this shows a want/willingness
to partake....

Question would be in the case of an Extraordinary Minister, would they be allowed to impart this Blessing?

God Bless.......hermit

[popestpiusx]

Absolutely not! Layman can not bless. This is one of the powers of the priesthood. This practice of everyone going up seems to stem from the mistaken, though perhaps well intentioned, desire to include everyone or to keep people from feeling left out. It is quite silly and tends to obfuscate the actual purpose of that part of the Mass. Secondly, it is unnecessary as everyone will recieve a blesing at the end of Mass.

[hermit]

Thanks for the clarifacation, I stand corrected.

God Bless.......hermit

[dUSt]

[quote name='popestpiusx' date='Mar 17 2004, 01:05 PM'] Absolutely not! Layman can not bless. This is one of the powers of the priesthood. This practice of everyone going up seems to stem from the mistaken, though perhaps well intentioned, desire to include everyone or to keep people from feeling left out. It is quite silly and tends to obfuscate the actual purpose of that part of the Mass. Secondly, it is unnecessary as everyone will recieve a blesing at the end of Mass. [/quote]
I guess all my "God bless you's" have gone to waste then.

[Aloysius]

any Christian can bless, but when there is a priest present it is wrong because it puts a kind of equal to the blessing. a priest has the blessing with the full sacremental power of Holy Orders, and that kind of blessing should be distinguished from a lay Christian blessing. i do not believe an EEM should bless someone during Mass, but i would be fine if they crossed their arms and went to the priest. lay Christians can bless though, it's just not a priestly blessing.