catholic are just one ofo many christian denominations. As far as I'm aware from reading the bible Jesus didn't stop certain people from having communion. why can't ALL those who believe in him have communion in whatever church they want.
2007-05-22 23:36:07 · 13 answers · asked by aroundworldsports 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics believe that the bread and wine are the true presence of Christ. We believe that it is the true body and blood of Christ.
So unless you believe the same we ask that you do not particpate in Communion.
2007-05-24 08:32:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many Christian denominations, but not all of them recognize the Eucharist for what it is - the Real Presence - the actual Body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Typically, very few Christians outside the Catholic Church do not believe in the Real Presence. To knowingly allow a non-believer in the Real Presence of the Eucharist to receive is tantamount to defiling the Body and Blood of Christ.
What's more, reception of Holy Commuion in a Catholic Church is also a profession of faith in all Catholic beliefs and practices. Non-Catholic Christians typically do not swear allegiance to all elements of Catholic Doctrine.
Some see Catholicism's withholding of the Holy Eucharist from non-Catholics as disrespectful to them. No. How respectful is the Church being to Jesus Christ when it allows those who are not in full communion with the Church to receive?
It's because the Church so respects the Real Presence of the Eucharist, that it is will only administer it to Catholics.
It's nothing person. This is the Church's way of safegurarding the Real Presence of the Eucharist.
We must remember that the sacrament of Holy Communion is NOT a right. It is a privilege meant only for those who understand and believe. Having said that, it is a privilege ANYONE can earn.
2007-05-23 02:57:15 · answer #2 · answered by Daver 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You partly answered your own question with the word 'non-Catholic' If someone declares themselves to be non-Catholic, they are not in "communion" with Catholics. They don't believe the same things, they don't accept the same authority. It is a very sad thing that there are divisions in the Body of Christ but pretending they aren't there doesn't make them go away.
For Catholics, Holy Communion is the Sacrament that binds us together in unity. It IS the Body and Blood of Our Lord and there is only ONE Body. To take Holy Communion when you are not actually IN Communion (and here I am ALSO referring to Catholics who are aware of serious sin that breaks their communion with the Body...not just non-Catholics) is like having sex outside the bonds of marriage. Taking Communion is a very serious an holy act for Catholics.
We only see two instances of Jesus and Holy Communion in the Bible and in both cases it's pretty safe to assume there were no non-believers present. (Last Supper and Emmaus) So I am not really sure a Biblical case for Jesus not stopping people from having communion is very strong. MANY Protestant denominations do not practice open communion so this is not a peculiarly Catholic interpretation. There are references to receiving Holy Communion unworthily in 1 Corinthians 10:16 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. The Catholic Church seeks to protect those who do not believe in the Real Presence from the consequences of receiving without belief.
It might help to get to know the Catholic Mass a little to understand what we believe and why:
http://postscripts.blog.com/1121370/
And this is why we believe in the Real Presence:
http://postscripts.blog.com/1507064/
2007-05-23 03:01:14 · answer #3 · answered by Sister Spitfire 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Receiving the Holy Communion in a Catholic Church with out having been affirmed by the Church, would be like a person pretending to be filled with the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues in a Pentecostal Church with out knowing Jesus Christ. We should not judge others by what we see or think. Only God can judge them.
You are saved by belief in Jesus Christ only not by the Church you attend. John 3:15-18 I have never read anywhere that one Church or another will be saved. To say that they do not know the scriptures is passing judgement. It is not fact. I am sure there are Pentecostal Church members who do not know the scriptures but does that meen all of us do not. Catholics do beleive in Jesus Christ and take the sacrament very seriously. To receive it is a testament to there belief and the church insures that they know why they are receiving it, before giving it.
I find that to be responsible not offensive.
2007-05-24 02:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by friendly 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-05-23 17:00:47 · answer #5 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The reason is because as Catholics, we believe in the Real Presence of Christ in communion. In other words, we believe that Jesus is truly, fully, literally present - body, blood, soul and divinity - in the blessed sacrament. There are many christian denominations who do not believe this, so therefore it would be very disrespectful and sinful for them to approach the blessed sacrament and not recognize the Real Presence. This is why we ask that non-Catholics do not receive it. However, they can receive a blessing from the priest.
Hope this helps. God bless.
2007-05-23 12:06:44 · answer #6 · answered by Danny H 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To us the Eucharist is Jesus Christ in bodily form on this earth. It is the holiest thing on this planet. We are very very serious about this. It would be shocking in the extreme for anyone to partake of communion in an unknowing or casual manner.
We wait ourselves to receive communion until we have reached the age of accountability to receive it. We also do not eat food with it or go to communion while in any kind of sin.
For you to just march in and partake of this would be offensive to us who yearn and long to partake of such a holy living sacrament.
May God forgive Jill for speaking such blasphemy against His people. I hold her local congregation responsible for never teaching her the truths of the church to her.
2007-05-23 01:04:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Other Church's have communion, I've been to many Church/denominations where they partake in communion.
But I have never been to a catholic church because I don't think they are Christian
2007-05-22 23:49:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because most other Christians do not discern that Christ is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine -- body, blood, soul, and divinity. It is for their own protection:
"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 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 Corinthians 11:27-30)
2007-05-22 23:46:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
they are trying to ensure that all who do partake look upon the reception of Communion in the same way - that is with the same faith
2007-05-26 10:45:51 · answer #10 · answered by Daniel F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋