The protestants have their own Eucharist rituals why can't a visiting
Protestant that is away from his church receive it from a Catholic one? And does this occur in the Catholic religion to as being taboo to receive it from a protestant church? Only serious answers to this question please.
2006-12-04 02:19:53 · 12 answers · asked by Ian M 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The guidelines for receiving Communion, which are issued by the U.S. bishops and published in many missalettes, explain, "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’ (John 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 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. . . . "
Scripture is clear that partaking of the Eucharist is among the highest signs of Christian unity: "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). For this reason, it is normally impossible for non-Catholic Christians to receive Holy Communion, for to do so would be to proclaim a unity to exist that, regrettably, does not.
Another reason that many non-Catholics may not ordinarily receive Communion is for their own protection, since many reject the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Scripture warns that it is very dangerous for one not believing in the Real Presence to receive Communion: "For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (1 Cor. 11:29–30).
http://www.catholic.com/library/Who_Can_Receive_Communion.asp
Exodus 12:43-45; Ezek. 44:9 - no one outside the "family of God" shall eat the lamb. Non-Catholics should not partake of the Eucharist until they are in full communion with the Church.
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/the_eucharist.html
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2006-12-04 02:29:56 · answer #1 · answered by Br. Dymphna S.F.O 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In his epistle, St. Paul explains that one must be properly prepared to receive the authentic holy Eucharist, or the only result will be condemnation.
All Catholics are schooled to understand exactly what is required to prepare for reception of the holy Eucharist, which in the Catholic Church, is not merely crackers and grape juice, but the real and substantial body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ, made present for us on the altar, at every Mass.
It's very unlikely that any Protestant, without very significant preparation, would be in a proper spiritual condition to receive this greatest of all Catholic sacraments.
Furthermore, and simply because they are not Catholic, Protestants have no right at all to receive the Eucharist, in a Catholic Church.
Because the nature, purpose, and effect of communion in Protestant churches is almost totally different than that of the Catholic Eucharist, Catholics are prohibited from receiving communion in a Protestant service, even if it is offered.
This eliminates the possibility of both confusion and scandal.
The authentic body and blood of Jesus Christ is the source and summit of all Catholic worship, and it is not to be trifled with ... by Catholics ... or by anyone else.
2006-12-04 05:15:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes is is wrong for a Protestant to Receive the Eucharist in a Catholic Church, (Former Protestant, now Catholic)
Because we believe in the true presence of Jesus, in the Eucharist, people who think it is "just a cracker" should not partake.
Accepting Communion as a "Representation only" at a Protestant service is similar to declaring that you no longer believe in the True Presence within the Eucharist.
Good Question, and it is not because Catholics are arrogant, like I once believed before studying it.
You can look here for more information:
www.Catholic.com
www.Catholic.org
Peace!
2006-12-04 02:39:48 · answer #3 · answered by C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Simply put catholics share a different view/belief on the what the Eucharist is and what it represents. Protestants believe its a mere symbolic act while catholics believe its an actual transubstantiation that takes place. One is a memorial while one is a feast on Christ's flesh and blood. It is believed that proper preparation to receive the body and blood of Christ should be observed. Meaning one should be in the state of grace i.e no mortal sins committed. The average visiting protestant sure doesn't share that belief thus should not partake.
I don't think its not a taboo for catholics to partake in Eucharistic rituals elsewhere.
2006-12-04 02:36:19 · answer #4 · answered by Eccentric_fly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Seriously, it's because of differing views. A Catholic believes that the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ, while a Protestant believes it only represents the body and blood of Christ. If either accepted the Eucharist at the opposing church, they are saying that they accept and believe that way of thinking. Since it goes against what they believe, neither church may take Eucharist from the other.
2006-12-04 02:31:03 · answer #5 · answered by sister steph 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The belief surrounding the eucharist is often different. the Protestants don't hold the same beliefs about what the Eucharist is. (not all believe that the Eucharist IS the body and blood of Christ-- some view it as a symbol or tradition not as the actual body and blood) If the proper belief isn't held then it is seen as a insult to participate in the sacrament. (kind of mocking those who believe they are receiving the body and blood of the saviour)
I believe anything done with respect and the proper understanding should be ok.
2006-12-04 02:23:29 · answer #6 · answered by artimis 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Churches hold to the doctrine of transubstantiation, that is, the bread and wine literally become the spiritual flesh and blood of Jesus of Nazareth. Though the physical appearance remains the same, the substance is changed. It is not a symbol of the last supper and crucifixion, it is a sharing in the one last supper and the one crucifixion (contrary to some protestant misinterpretations, it is not a 're-crucifixion').
Very few Protestant denominations hold to this doctrine, believing that it is only a symbol of the last supper, and not Jesus's literal flesh and blood, his actual body broken and spilled out for the sake of the world. Therefore, to receive this communion implies a communion that is not there -- you do not hold to this doctrine, and thus you are not in 'communion' with the Catholic Church.
However, you are not forbidden to go forward during the communion. Simply cross your arms over your chest to indicate that you would like to receive a blessing. In this, you may show your communion with the larger Christian faith while respecting the separate communion of Protestant and Catholic faith.
2006-12-04 02:31:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Protestants don't believe in transubstantiation, catholics do. They believe that when they eat the communion wafer it's actually Christs' body and when they drink the wine it's Christs blood. Protestants don't believe this so would they want to take part in it? and vice versa
2006-12-04 02:32:18 · answer #8 · answered by _______ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as long as the traditions of the Eucharist are followed with respect no matter where a person is I personally see no problems with where a person receives the Eucharist. when in Rome do as the Romans do
2006-12-04 02:29:43 · answer #9 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because it probably is poisoned. The question should be why would a Protestant want to receive anything from a Catholic Church.
2006-12-04 02:23:37 · answer #10 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋