Head of German Catholic Bishops: I do not deny communion to a Protestant Who Asks for It

National Catholic Register ^ | February 26, 2021 | National Catholic Register

[viewfromthefrontier]

BERLIN, Germany — The president of the German Catholic bishops’ conference said on Thursday that he would continue to give Holy Communion to Protestants who ask for it.

Bishop Bätzing told journalists at a press conference on Feb. 25 that it was necessary to respect the “personal decision of conscience” of those seeking to receive Communion.

Asked how he would respond if a Protestant came to him seeking the Eucharist, he told reporters: “I have no problems with it and I see myself in line with papal documents.”

The 59-year-old bishop added that this was already a “practice” in Germany “every Sunday” and that priests in his Diocese of Limburg would not face negative consequences if a case were reported to him.

He underlined that one should not “simply invite everyone.” But while a general invitation to receive the Eucharist was not permitted, he said it was important to show “respect for the personal decision of conscience of the individual” seeking Communion.

...

In a four-page critique and letter to Bishop Bätzing, the doctrinal congregation emphasized that significant differences in understanding of the Eucharist and ministry remained between Protestants and Catholics.

“The doctrinal differences are still so important that they currently rule out reciprocal participation in the Lord’s Supper and the Eucharist,” it said.

“The document cannot therefore serve as a guide for an individual decision of conscience about approaching the Eucharist.”

Following the Vatican intervention, Bishop Bätzing reaffirmed his view that intercommunion with Protestants should be possible.

At Thursday’s press conference, held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Bätzing underlined his high hopes for the “Synodal Way,” a process bringing together German lay people and bishops to discuss four major topics: the way power is exercised in the Church; sexual morality; the priesthood; and the role of women.

[ebb tide]

If you're not a Catholic, and received in ignorance, consider it a warning.

If you do it again, be prepared for a more severe and longer (i.e. eternal) burning.

[DuncanWaring]

I myself am curious about the answer.

[GreyFriar]

In my view the line in post 16 should have been typed:

“But as they are fundamentally opposed to each other, it would be a mistake for a Catholic to partake of a PROTESTANT communion, and a mistake for a PROTESTANT to partake of a Catholic communion.”

As a long time defender of Catholics from being bashed, I believe that we, Protestant and Catholic, are CHRISTIANS. We both follow Jesus and accept Him as our Saviour. All of us Christians have too many enemies in this secular world to defend ourselves from than to engage in fighting each other.

[Vermont Lt]

I learned my lesson. Ha ha.

[Mean Daddy]

Former Nebraska Senator Rockin’ Bob Kerrey created a sh!t storm years ago by going to a Catholic mass and taking communion.

https://www.deseret.com/1995/2/7/19157840/non-catholic-bob-kerrey-will-give-up-communion

[Responsibility2nd]

Are you a PROTESTANT?

If so, what are you protesting? I get why you use that word. Many Christian denominations consider themselves protestants because their particular religion was formed on or after 1517.

As for me, I consider myself a Christian. Based on the the Bible and not what some pope in Rome might think.

Of course Christians, Catholics as well as protestants must stand together to fight our enemies. But more than that we must follow biblical principles only in order to achieve our salvation. Not Catholic dogma and not protestant reformist teachings.

[daniel1212]

I’m still waiting for a response from a Christian Freeper in a North Korean concentration camp what their opinion of guitar music in church is.

Or musical instruments at all. But since Catholics (can only) imagine that the apparent but non-existent bread and wine they consumed is the true body and blood of the incarnated Christ (whose manifest physicality Scripture emphasizes in contrary to a christ whose appearance did not conform to what he materially was: Lk. 24:39; John 20:27; 1 John 1:1-3; 4:2-3; 5:6), then it is a grave matter for them when a Protestant to receive this. Even though only about half of the Catholics believe in transubstantiation themselves.

But doctrine is important, and the Catholic contrivance of the Lord's supper is just which is just one of the distinctive Catholic teachings that are not manifest in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed (which is Scripture, in particular Acts through Revelation, which best shows how the NT church understood the gospels).

[Flaming Conservative]

Are you actually equating protestant Christians with Muslims??

[MurphsLaw]

This kind Bishop wants his sheep to ignore the reverent admonishment.... at their own peril......

. " For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.

[arthurus]

For some Protestants their entire religious identity is in being vehemently NOT CATHOLIC!

[Flaming Conservative]

Speaking of long time Catholics, I haven’t seen a post from Mrs. Don O, for a long time. Does anyone know if she is all right?

[boatbums]

i wouldnt ask for communion from someone not in my denomination we are not all in agreement about it, to do so is to support unionism and syncretism beliefs mean specific things

I agree. I think it would be hypocritical for a non-Catholic/Protestant to partake of Catholic Communion. A protestant would essentially be saying they accept the doctrine of transubstantiation if they line up to receive the Catholic Eucharist and, if that's the case, they should convert to Catholicism. Same should a Catholic participate in a Protestant observance of the Lord's Supper.

I used to be a Catholic but would not seek to receive communion should I attend a Catholic mass. I've taken my Mom to mass, for example, but don't go up to receive the Eucharist with her. I stay in the pew. It's simple respect.

[43north]

Absolutely not but I wonder if that German bishop is?

[43westji]

Well said. When I converted, didn’t take communion in mass until I was confirmed. I was a former baptist. The Catholic Church did recognize my baptist baptism as the One only. Love the faith, but Rome is making it more difficult now. Catholic conservatives are not happy now with the movement left of Rome.

[Secret Agent Man]

its more than respect

you dont believe what they believe about communion

you’re not going to validate it gy participating

and its not good to do for you if you dont believe it

[Elsie]

Asked how he would respond if a Protestant came to him seeking the Eucharist, he told reporters: “I have no problems with it and I see myself in line with papal documents.”

Ok; but what is the OFFICIAL stand of the RCC on this?

[Elsie]

I am writing about the paragraph in The Washington Times story (3/30/98, page A6) of President Clinton and his Sunday visit to Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto, South Africa.

 

To quote: "The President, a Southern Baptist, partook of the Catholic Communion, as did Mrs. Clinton and many members of the White House staff."

Why did this happen?

Who permitted this wrong?

I answer, "Shame, shame, shame."

What is your answer to this insult?

 

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/non-catholics-and-communion.html

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=catechism+communion+with+non+catholics&rlz=1C1AVNC_enUS560US607&oq=catechism+communion+with+non+catholics&aqs=chrome..69i57j33i22i29i30.15769j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

 

PART TWO
THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY

SECTION TWO
THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH

CHAPTER ONE
THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION

ARTICLE 3
THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST

1411 Only validly ordained priests can preside at the Eucharist and consecrate the bread and the wine so that they become the Body and Blood of the Lord.

1415 Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.

[Elsie]

It's been over 500 years now, and that damned Lutherian spirit is STILL found!!

It’s also disobedience; bishops shouldn’t be arrogating to themselves the authority to unilaterally change church law because they don’t like it.

--Saddened_Catholic_Dude(Hail Mary!!)

[Elsie]

I believe that administering communion to any person not of your belief, is a sure way to damn their soul.

Interesting...

Got any Scripture on this?
or official church teaching?

[Elsie]

As for myself; I followed the example of Luke 18:38

He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner. '

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.