Those in Mortal Sin Can't Go to Communion, Says Pope

Zenit.org ^ | 03-14-05 | Pope John Paul II

[Salvation]

Date: 2005-03-14

Those in Mortal Sin Can't Go to Communion, Says Pope

In a Message to Priests at Course on "Internal Forum"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 14, 2005 (Zenit.org).- In keeping with Church teaching, John Paul II issued a reminder that no one who is aware of being in a state of mortal sin can go to Communion.

The Pope confirmed the traditional teaching of the magisterium in a message published by the Holy See on Saturday. The message was addressed to young priests who attended a course last week on the "internal forum" -- questions of conscience -- organized by the tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

The Holy Father dedicated his letter, signed March 8 in the Gemelli Polyclinic where he was hospitalized, to the relationship that exists between the Eucharist and confession.

"We live in a society that seems frequently to have lost the sense of God and of sin," writes John Paul II. "In this context, therefore, Christ's invitation to conversion is that much more urgent, which implies the conscious confession of one's sins and the relative request for forgiveness and salvation.

"In the exercise of his ministry, the priest knows that he acts 'in the person of Christ and under the action of the Holy Spirit,' and for this reason he must nourish [Christ's] sentiments in his inner being, increase within himself the charity of Jesus, teacher and shepherd, physician of souls and bodies, spiritual guide, just and merciful judge."

The Pope continues: "In the tradition of the Church, sacramental reconciliation has always been considered in profound relationship with the banquet of the sacrifice of the Eucharist, memorial of our redemption.

"Already in the first Christian communities the need was felt to prepare oneself, with a worthy conduct of life, to celebrate the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, which is 'Communion' with the body and blood of the Lord and 'communion' ('koinonia') with believers who form only one body, as they are nourished with the same body of Christ."

Because of this, the Pontiff recalls St. Paul's warning to the Corinthians when he said: "Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27).

"In the rite of the Holy Mass," notes the Pope, "many elements underline this exigency of purification and conversion: from the initial penitential act to the prayers for forgiveness; from the gesture of peace to the prayers that the priests and faithful recite before Communion."

"Only someone who is sincerely conscious of not having committed a mortal sin can receive the Body of Christ," states the papal message, recalling the doctrine of the Council of Trent. "And this continues to be the teaching of the Church also today."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the difference between mortal and venial sin in Nos. 1854 to 1864.

email this article

[armydoc]

Actually, with such a definition, there may not be as many people living in mortal sin as you think.

Is missing Sunday Mass without a "valid" reason a mortal sin? Polls consistently show that only 25-35% of self-identified Catholics attend Mass weekly. Is the sacrament of Penance (sacramental absolution; confession) necessary for forgiveness of mortal sin? Polls consistently show that only 10-30% self-identified Catholics attend confession regularly (and I would guess those who do attend are not primarily the ones who miss Mass frequently). Putting this all together, you have to come to the conclusion that the majority of American Catholics live in a state of mortal sin most of the time.

[Salvation]

**Is there any moral/ethical difference between condoning an action and advocating an action?** Yes!

Catechism of the Catholic Church and what it says about those who support abortion

[Jeff Chandler]

Where does it say that in the bible?

Where in the bible does it say that the the Word of God is only contained in the Bible; where in the bible is the phrase sola scriptura?

[Salvation]

**Of course, it's more a "tempest in a teapot" as almost no one listens to them anymore.**

Some people may choose not to listen to the Pope -- but that in itself may be their undoing.

[te lucis]

54. Q. What is mortal sin?

A. Mortal sin is a grievous offense against the law of God.

Baltimore Catechism

[Salvation]

Michael Shiavo -- He can check out this from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

Euthanasia

2276 Those whose lives are diminished or weakened deserve special respect. Sick or handicapped persons should be helped to lead lives as normal as possible.

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.

Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.

2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

2279 Even if death is thought imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted. The use of painkillers to alleviate the sufferings of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable Palliative care is a special form of disinterested charity. As such it should be encouraged.

[sinkspur]

Putting this all together, you have to come to the conclusion that the majority of American Catholics live in a state of mortal sin most of the time.

You would; I would not.

Anyway, the original discussion was that there were too many Catholics who DO go to Mass also going to Communion. I don't agree with that.

[Tantumergo]

"Michael Shiavo -- He can check out this from the Catechism of the Catholic Church"

So can these people:


Judge George W. and Patricia Greer (The judge that ordered Terri's feeding tube removed.) 200 Dolphin Pt. #201 Clearwater, FL 34630

George J. Felos (Michael's attorney who is also an euthanasia activist.) 2210 Harbor View Dr. Dunedin, FL 34698-2526

[todd1]

I am a cradle catholic that didn't accept the churches teachings as truth until a few years ago. My fear is that I have committed sins that can't be forgiven... That is why I am so scared to go to confessions... If I am condemned to Hell than I would rather not know until the time comes..

[Salvation]

Thank you for those additions!

[Salvation]

All sins can be forgiven. The Sacrament of Reconciliation delivers such awesome graces, why deny yourself? Please go to Confession! God bless you in your journey back to the church.

[Tantumergo]

"My fear is that I have committed sins that can't be forgiven... That is why I am so scared to go to confessions..."

All sins can be forgiven if one is truly penitent and has a firm purpose of amendment.

The only sins which cannot be forgiven are those which cannot be repented such as dying in a state of apostasy. Obviously if you were an apostate, you would not go to Confession and hence would not be able to repent and receive absolution for those sins.

If you have returned to Holy Mother Church and want to receive forgiveness and absolution for all your past sins then you can. If you have genuinely forgotten serious sins committed in your past then you can be absolved of these too by asking forgiveness for all your past sins.

[P-Marlowe]

I was informed by CouncilofTrent that this was a Catholic thread and therefore I assumed my input was not welcomed. In deference to Mr. Trent, I have left the thread. Please do not ping me back here.

Thanks.

Marlowe

[Salvation]

I believe that is for the poster of the thread and the Admin Moderator/Religion Moderator to decide. Cool it.

[Tantumergo]

"I was informed by CouncilofTrent that this was a Catholic thread and therefore I assumed my input was not welcomed."

Since when did any individual poster have the authority to speak for everyone else on the thread, or the forum as a whole for that matter?

If this is a "Free"Republic then you have as much right to contribute to any thread you want to as anyone else.

If you really don't want to be part of it, then my apologies for pinging you to it again.

[Salvation]

Well said!

[Salvation]

Examination of Conscience

[Dominick]

That is why I am so scared to go to confessions... If I am condemned to Hell than I would rather not know until the time comes..

Satan has all kinds of tricks that can be used to keep someone out of Confession. One is that you have the overwhelming feeling of being unworthy of Salvation. Nothing is farther from the truth.

Ask any Priest, they have heard every Sin. If you are Sorry (contrition), and if you would fix it if your could (amend for the wrongs), then you are able to be absolved.

Nothing you could have done could prevent God from forgiving you, except for Sins against the Holy Spirit. One of those is Final Refusal of Salvation, so before it is too late, make an act of Contrition wherever you are NOW, and then get yourself to a Confessional.

If you really want fast service, call your local Church and tell the secretary you need to make a confession immediately. She will set you up with whatever Priest is on call.

[american colleen]

But look todd1, you are already sorry for your sins and have turned away from them (that's a gift from God itself). Just go to Confession (I went after 15 - 20 years of sin after sin) and you will not believe the peace you have, it's a gift from God. I remember coming out smiling with joy and wonder at the Graces of God... couldn't believe that I waited that long, what a dope I was!

There's nothing that the priest hasn't heard before and you can still go behind the screen. You could check your local parish bulletins online and see if the parishes are getting together next Sunday or during the week for Reconciliation/Confessions... the local priests all join at one parish and after a homily (not a Mass) on Confession (help on how to examine your conscience) you can go to Confession with one of them - again, behind the screen if you choose.

Confession Guide for Adults - national catholic register.

[P-Marlowe]

I usually don't participate in Catholic threads. I posted on this one because this issue touches protestant churches as well. I don't believe one has to be "sinless" to take communion, as in our flesh none of us is sinless. It is the blood of Christ that is symbolized in the wine that cleanses us from all sin and if we are already cleansed of all sin, then what purpose is served by that blood?

My reading of the scripture in question differs from that of the Pope. But I don't believe the Pope's proclamation on this subject is an infallible decree so I suspect there is room for disagreement even among Catholics.

IMO it is not unconfessed sin in your life that will bring destruction at the communion table, but an unworthy or cavalier attitude towards the sacrament. Indeed, I think that if you approach the sacrament with the attitude that you, yourself are "worthy", then you are likely to take a cavalier attitude to the table.

No human being has ever been "worthy" to partake of the blood of Christ. We are honored that God has provided us the opportunity in our unworthy state. That is the essence of God's grace.

Thank you for inviting me to stick around. But I will probably keep my posts to a minimum.