Catechism of the Catholic Church?

Question

Can a Cathlic receive communion at a non-Catholic Service? Can a non-Catholic receive communion at a Catholic Mass?

Answer 1

In 1 Cor 11:27-28 is an admonishment against receiving the Body and Blood in an unworthy manner, and calls for self-examination before-hand.

What this means is that you should listen to your conscience and understand fully what you are partaking in. In a Catholic service, you should receive the Sacrament of First Communion before receiving Eucharist at a Mass - the Sacrament is a public declaration of your belief. I hope that an examination of a non-Catholic's conscience would lead that person to respect this request, even though one is not likely to be turned away by a priest (except in small communities where the priest knows everyone). It is disrespectful to take from the hands of one who believes it to be the Body and Blood and think to yourself, "this is just bread and wine."

Likewise, a Catholic receiving Communion at a non-Catholic service really needs to consider that he or she is taking a symbolic communion, not a true one. I'm Catholic and have partaken in non-Catholic, Christian communities before in order to avoid argument, but I also make sure to take Eucharist on Sunday (since, for me, mere bread and wine does not suffice).

I don't think there's any problem taking part in a Shabbat celebration, where Jews break bread to signify that the day of rest has begun. Here, Jewish tradition holds that it really is just bread, and eating it honors God (this is Scriptural). There's no problem with a Christian taking part, even though Christians aren't beheld to the custom.

Answer 2

Catholics can receive communion at most non-Catholic services. This does not count as receiving the Eucharist, however, because most non-Catholic services do not believe in transubstantiation (actual turning of the bread and wine into Christ). Even Lutheran services do not count (and Lutherans do believe in transubstantiation) because the priests have not gone through Catholic Church recognized Holy Orders, and so may not have the full authority of the Apostles. When necessary, according to the Catholic Church, Catholics may receive the transubstantiated Eucharist at Orthodox services. They should ask the celibrant first, however, because not all Orthodox churches are willing to give communion to Catholics.

In general, non-Catholics are not allowed to receive the Eucharist at a Catholic service. This is because most non-Catholics do not believe in transubstantiation and therefore do not hold the Eucharist in proper reverence. There are exceptions. "Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist and Anointing of the Sick to members of the Eastern-rite churches...if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed. This holds also for other members of other churches, which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition as the oriental churches as far as the sacraments are concerned" (canon No. 844). In other words, non-Catholics must specifically request communion and must belive in transubstantiation. This statement holds true with my experience in that I have seen my pastor knowingly give communion to certain Protestants who request it, after having talked with them.

Answer 3

At the Last Supper, Jesus said, “Take this bread. It is my body.” The he said, “Take this and drink. This is my blood. Do this in memory of me.”

Catholics believe this was the First Eucharist, that through some miracle the bread and wine actually became the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Catholics reenact the Last Supper during every Mass, where the priest, acting in place of Christ, changes the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This is a great sacrament of thanksgiving and unity of Catholics.

Anyone who does not believe in the actual presence of Christ and is not united with the Catholic faith is asked, out of respect, not to receive the Eucharist.

Catholics, out of respect for other Christian faiths, do not receive Communion in non-Catholic churches.

We pray that one day Christian unity will succeed and we will all be called to the same table.

With love in Christ.

Answer 4

Catholics may participate FULLY in the Episcopal service only when the Catholic person has met certain criteria, such as after attending Catholic Mass first, or in "emergency" situation where there may not be a Catholic Church in his area to get to. Episcopalians however, may not participate FULLY in the Catholic Mass because they are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. Catholics may not receive communion in any other faiths service. Catholics may attend church of different faiths, my Uncle is a protestant pastor, and I'm Catholic. I attend his church services from time to time when I visit where he lives after I attend Mass first.

Answer 5

No to the first question. It would be wrong because other denominations do not believe that Jesus is present in the bread (wafer) and wine (grape juice).

And according to the Guidelines For Receiving Communion, no to the second.

But you'd be amazed at how many non Catholics will go up and pretend to be Catholic in order to receive the Eucharist. (My priest strictly enforces the rules in our parish.)

A non Catholic may go up for a blessing but is supposed to fold their arms signifying that they aren't Catholic.

Answer 6

while technically a Catholic CAN receive at other services, it does not take the place of receiving the Eucharist. some feel that by partaking at other services, you are accepting their belief over yours.

only orthodox can receive communion in a Catholic church other then Catholics in good standing.

Answer 7

We Catholics suppose that God might keep whomever He desires. It isn't for any folks to dictate who He might and won't welcome into Heaven. Obviously, there's a "proactive" process to salvation, that is to comply with the Bible as a working towards Christian. However, this doesn't avoid the "reactive" reward of saving grace, which best God can bestow, and that fully at His discretion. So. Do Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, and many others. cross to Heaven if they're well men and women? If God needs them to, definite. I obviously pray day-to-day, and I'm definite others do as good, for the salvation of the ones "well" souls who could obviously be welcomed in had been they Christian. Is Gandhi in heaven? If God desired to allow him in, then sure. If He did not, then no. Nobody has been again to document at the subject someway.

Answer 8

Do you want me to state from the catechism or something?... from my own words... uhh catholics aren't really suppose to worship at a non-catholic place of worship ... and no non-catholics are not allowed to take communion since they do not believe it is the Body Of Christ we'd consider that blasphemy.

Answer 9

No. Communion means a communion of thoughts faith and worship! Christianity is not yet to this point, so I would not out of respect for my Christian brethren. We can unite but we are not there yet, so I would not lie through false actions.

Answer 10

As you know, Catholics used the pope to model for the Pillsbury Dough Boy. The big problem they had was hoping the Pillsbury people would never think their dough boy was a pedophile，hoping the priests would distance themselves from eating biscuits for supper. This would then be the last supper.