[stockpirate]

Because they don’t want to.

[NYer]

Tis the season when travelers often visit Catholic Churches. Our missalette contains a page explaining this to non-Catholic visitors.

[NYer]

Related

Where is the Real Presence in the Eucharist in Scripture?

Q. Where in the Bible does it say that Jesus is actually bodily present in the bread and wine of the Eucharist?

A. In John 6, After demonstrating His power to feed 5,000 people with a few loaves and fishes, Jesus tells his listeners seven times that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood in order to have eternal life. The Jewish leaders and even some of Jesus’ followers rejected this teaching as preposterous and left him at this time, precisely because they understood Him to be speaking literally. One year later, Jesus instituted Eucharistic Communion (Mt. 26:26) saying of the bread, “This is my body” and also of the cup, “This is my blood.” From the beginning of Christianity, Church Fathers describe the mystery of the miraculous transformation of the Eucharistic meal into Christ’s Presence under the appearance of bread and wine.

Q. But how do we know for sure Jesus meant this literally?

A. We can ask ourselves, “What did the earliest Christians believe about communion?” The writings of the early Church Fathers tell us what these first century Christians believed about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. In 110 A.D. St. Ignatius of Antioch, who was taught the Christian faith by the apostle John, wrote about the heretics of his day:

“They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the Flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ. Flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in His goodness raised up again.” Letter to the Smyrneans 6,2

[B-Chan]

And of course one does not “take” Communion. One receives it.

[PAR35]

Why Can't Protestants Take Communion in a Catholic Church

Because there is a completely different understanding about what is going on. I don't even take communion in a Lutheran church; and probably shouldn't in a Baptist church, either, since they don't even consider it a sacrament.

A Protestant that would present himself for Communion at a Catholic church is woefully ignorant. (And the reverse is equally true.)

Threads like this are good. And the current Pope has been great for the Catholic church.

[A CA Guy]

Because Protestants are NOT CATHOLICS.

They have to go to Bible classes, convert to Catholicism or fake being Catholic and get communion like thieves in the night.

[narses]

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[Natural Law]

Communion is not limited to receiving Eucharist. It is a symbolic expression of belonging to, and accepting the teachings of the Catholic community. Unless one becomes Catholic one cannot completely “take” Communion.

[chesley]

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.

[Brilliant]

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.

[Paridel]

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.

I think there is more to it than this... for instance while many low church Anglicans believe in the Real Presence of Christ but deny it is carnal, there are many high church Anglicans who believe in transubstantiation exactly as the Roman Catholics. And remember, Anglicans are the world's third largest denomination! There are other non-Catholics who also hold this belief... and I am fairly certain they would not be given communion either. I know Catholics that have all sorts of varied beliefs on communion -- I understand they shouldn't -- are they then drinking to their damnation? Because if so it doesn't seem to concern them or their priests as much as it perhaps should. Similarly, what about the early Christians that had an incomplete understanding of the Eucharist (as I think we can all agree that church thought has evolved on this subject in the past two thousand years)?

Personally I think this question of specific beliefs is a red herring; I honestly think it has more to do with not being in full communion with the Roman Catholic church than any specific belief.

There are a couple of documents that I think are somewhat related to this post that may be of interest:

One Bread, One Body (Bishops' Conference of England & Wales -- sorry! I could only find a cached-version)

The Eucharist: Sacrament of Unity (an Anglican response)

I think the biggest problem comes when there are families that are divided between Catholics and non; particularly at services such as weddings. I don't really mind not participating when I attend Roman Catholic services; but I think it is a legitimate concern when families can not partake together. I'm glad to see it is also a concern of church leadership on both sides.

-paridel

[SoftwareEngineer]

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

[Lurker]

Uhhhh....because we're not Catholic?

L

[Faith65]

Why are there no Bibles in the pews at Catholic Churches?

[starlifter]

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
Secretariat for Divine Worship | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3060 © USCCB. All rights reserved.

[anymouse]

Yeah, that whole Reformation thing is so over-rated. /sarc

Stuff like this gives organized religion, especially the Catholic Church a bad name among otherwise friendly fellow Christians.

Get over it. Only the Jews are entitled to consider themselves better than the rest of us. ;)

[Fichori]

Oh poor pitiful me!

I feel so horribly snubbed and excluded by those ultra pious Catholics, maybe I’ll convert!

(Am I a genius or what!)

[Twinkie]

Well, naturally, they couldn’t stop Bill Clinton, who was allowed to take communion in a Catholic church, and took it big as sin. No one had the gall to stop him from taking communion unworthily. Why not?

Actually, the communion is what it IS, in spite of whatever whoever believes it to be. Because a Catholic considers our Christian “Protestant” communion to be “unworthy” or “incorrect” does not make it law over us. You know, freedom and all that?

Scripturally, the unworthiness comes from UNFORGIVENESS toward your brother and taking communion (which we also do in Christian churches which means as much to us as it does to say, oh . . any of the Kennedys or any Catholic) while in a state of unforgiveness toward our brother. We don’t cotton to the Pope’s supposed “infallibility”. That’s our belief - which got some of our anscestors persecuted and killed by Catholic priests and hierarchy in olden days.

[pepperdog]

Many churches have closed communion. Many don’t but do ask that the communicant be a baptized Christian. None are asked to show proof of their baptism nor of their church affiliation that I know of. My big giggle came when I found that my children had received communion in the Catholic Church, which was okay as they were both baptized Catholics, but had never made their first confession when they did it. Believe it on not there was no lightening strike nor thunder from the sky. I think God loves the little children and wants them fed.

[Mogollon]

Protestants have open communion as Jesus told us to have, whereas Catholics have closed communion.