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This is happening despite clear canonical prohibition of the practice and despite long-standing Anglican and catholic tradition.

As a non-Catholic, I have heard that it was improper to receive Catholic communion if one was not a Catholic. Is that the case or is it just improper if one is not baptized? Or, is it improper only if one has not been baptized AS a Catholic? Just curious. I have been in that spot and felt bad not knowing how to be respectful of other Christian practices.

Your question is a good one. I will try to answer it as best I can. Holy Communion is somehitng that Catholics have certain very specific and almost unique beliefs about. It is the actual physical body and blood of Jesus Christ to us. And its reception is one of the most important things a Catholic can do. It is also a sign of unity of faith.

For this reason the Catholic Church does not permit those outside of the faith commune the Most Holy Sacrament of the Alter. This is not intended as a "we are better than you are" measure. Rather it is intended to ensure that those taking the sacrament do not do so unworthily and thereby bring judgment upon themselves. Scripture expressly warns that taking the body and blood unworthily can be to your judgment. Since almost all non-Catholics (Orthodox Christians being an exception) do not believe the same things Catholics do about Holy Communion it would be highly dangerous for them to take Catholic communion. Either Catholics are wrong and the non-Catholic is right in which case taking communion would be giving a false sign of unity of faith and giving license to heresy, or the Church is right and the non-Catholic taking the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ without acknowledging its nature would be committing sacrilege. Additionally Catholics are required as preparation for communion to be certain that they are not conscious of any serious sin in their lives. This typically involves sacramental confession and absolution as a preparation for communing the Holy Sacrament of the Alter. I hope this has helped explain the position of the church.