Posted on 12/27/2008 2:48:02 PM PST by NYer
Q. Why can’t Protestants receive communion at the Catholic Church?
A. To protect them from Judgment.
1 Corinthians 11: 27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be
guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
Since, Protestants do not believe in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist as we do, they do not discern or recognize that Jesus’ body is present under the appearance of bread and wine. We would be allowing them to eat and drink judgment upon themselves. The prohibtion is actually very charitable but, unfortunately, it is usually seen as a rejection.
Evidence of this interpretation of this passage is supported by St. Justin the Martyr :
“We call this food Eucharist; and no one else is permitted to partake of it, except one who believes our teaching to be true…”
-Justin Martyr -FIRST APOLOGY, 66,20–(150 A.D.)
Q. Why do we call the bread “The Host”?
A. Our use of this term, to refer to the consecrated bread, comes from the Latin word hostia, which means ‘victim’. We believe that Jesus Christ is really present in the consecrated bread and wine on our altars. The mass is a re-presentation of the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. Therefore, Jesus is the victim of sacrifice and we call the bread the host/victim to help us remember that it is no longer bread but the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ given to us to strengthen and keep us on the journey to Heaven.
I think a number of Protestants manage to make a "spiritual communion" or something very like it, without knowing it.
I think it actually has to do with what the two groups believe.
I don’t take communion in a Catholic Church.
There are a number of churches in communion with the rcc.
http://www.catholicdoors.com/faq/qu14.htm
Here’s a list :-)
Not sure about the reverse of course and I wouldn’t try to receive communion from say the greek oc unless it was clarified for me.
For my part, I see no reason why a Protestant would want to, nor do I care if Catholics ‘exclude’ me by that. I don’t believe their doctrines; why should I pretend that I do.
They are entitled to their own practices, same as me. As a Baptist, I would say that a Catholic has to be dipped before they could join a Baptist church. If they don’t believe as Bapstists, why would they bother?.
We all have to serve the Lord as best we can understand His commands. I’m sure He will sort it all out later.
I think you’d have to say “SOME Anglicans do believe ....” Some believe as I did, that there was a real substantial change. Others not so much.
So what would you think the deeper cause may be?
Usually the kind of experimentum crucis (if that’s the phrase I want) is that most non-Catholic, non-Orthodox groups would not say that there is a kind of identity between the Sacrament and the sacrifice of Christ. That’s an important (and misunderstood) aspect of Catholic teaching.
“I think a number of Protestants manage to make a “spiritual communion” or something very like it, without knowing it.”
I think a lot of Catholics miss the whole point of what “spirtual communion” really is deep in one’s own herat.
Because they aren’t Catholic.
I’m a Southern Baptist. To be fair on this, when we take communion, the Pastor always tells the congregation that communion is for people who have already been saved. It has no meaning unless you’re saved.
On the other hand, you don’t have to be Southern Baptist to take it.
“Ignorant of what? “Communion” at a Protestant church is meaningless.”
No it isn’t. Think about that when you receive Communion tomorrow. Everyone isn’t Catholic, friend, so think about why that is so, and try to show a little humility next time.
I bet you're right. I'd start with the ones I saw this week whom I haven't seen since Easter, as my pool of candidates .....
But I'd probably end with me, a lot of the time at least.
But what do you mean by "spiritual communion", please.
Ditto all that.
All of Youse Guys,
Honestly what is the point of this thread and similar threads like this??
In just 28 replies I have seen BOTH anti Catholic and anti Protestant postings.
To what greater end??
Christians are Christians are Christians.
Catholics may not believe that Baptists are Christians and vice versa Baptists may not believe Catholics are Christians.
Who cares??? Did each party accept Christ as his savior, accept that Christ died for our sins and that He was Son of God and came back after 3 days??
If so, all else is small potatoes.
Go ahead and skin me alive, but for once I am standing up against all this intra Christian infighting when Islamics are destroying us
L
Not to rankle any here, just a question of our southern baptist. Full disclosure- I am a practicing Roman Catholic.
You state that communion is only for those who are saved, according to your pastor. Could you clarify who then, takes communion? I know many backslidden christians, some of them famous. Would you please ask your pastor how one can be assured they will never backslide, and if they do, were they ever really saved? And since you don’t know if you will backslide, how can you take communion if there is the possibility of backsliding or falling away at some point in the future? I await your response, and thank you in advance :)
“Ignorant of what? “Communion” at a Protestant church is meaningless.””
How very foolish.
Does God recieve a Catholics prayer and worship and not the Protestant?
This is the very heart of the problem with religion, one thinks what they believe is deeper and therefore more meaningful than anothers beliefs.
And to let you in on a little secret, your walk with God is no deeper than anyone else’s, certainly not mine.
I think all are saved, even you. It matters not to me what you believe, God will welcome you.
I wish that none should perish. Read that some where.
Why are there no Bibles in the pews at Catholic Churches?
To Catholics, but Catholic communion is meaningless to me...along with a lot of other Catholic beliefs.
One of the things I remember one of my high schoold friends, a devout Catholic, said, "Hurry and pass me another hotdog before I remember it's Friday."
Thus it is written by the USCCB:
Can Non-Catholic Christians be admitted to sacramental communion in the Roman Catholic Church?
As Catholics, we believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of our oneness in faith, life and worship. Members of churches with whom we are not yet fully united are therefore not ordinarily invited to participate in Holy Communion. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reflects on this teaching.
Ecclesial communities derived from the Reformation and separated from the Catholic Church, “have not preserved the proper reality of the Eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Holy Orders.” It is for this reason that Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible for the Catholic Church. However these ecclesial communities, “when they commemorate the Lord’s death and resurrection in the Holy Supper ... profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and await his coming in glory.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1400)
Members of the Orthodox churches and the Polish National Catholic Churches share a more intimate bond with us, however. They may receive the Eucharist when they ask for it and they are properly disposed (cf. Canon 844). Again, I would refer to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
The Eastern churches that are not in full communion with the Catholic Church celebrate the Eucharist with great love. “These Churches, although separated from us, yet possess true sacraments, above all - by apostolic succession - the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to us in closest intimacy.” A certain communion in sacris...is not merely possible but is encouraged.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1399)
When other Christians who believe what the Catholic church teaches concerning the Holy Eucharist are deprived of access to a church of their own denomination for a significant period of time, they too may be admitted to Communion in the Catholic Church in exceptional circumstances (cf. Canon 844 §4). These exceptional circumstances are also described by the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
When, in the Ordinary’s judgment, a grave necessity arises, Catholic ministers may give the sacraments of Eucharist, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick to other Christians not in full communion with the Catholic Church, who ask for them of their own will, provided they give evidence of holding the Catholic faith regarding these sacraments and possess the required dispositions. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, number 1401)
On November 14, 1996, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the following guidelines on the reception of communion. These guidelines replace the guidelines approved by the Administrative Committee of the NCCB in November 1986. The guidelines, which are to be included in missalettes and other participation aids published in the United States, seek to remind all those who may attend Catholic liturgies of the present discipline of the Church with regard to the sharing of eucharistic communion.
For Catholics
As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.
For our fellow Christians
We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ’s prayer for us “that they may all be one” (Jn 17:21).
Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).
For those not receiving Holy Communion
All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.
For non-Christians
We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.
Email us at bcl@usccb.org
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