Are Catholics inclusive or exclusive?

Question

I want to participate in the Lords Supper as commanded.

I think I am getting this. No religion that I must join is exclusive because 1. They don't discriminate and 2. I can join it.

Answer 1

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.

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 1322 and following: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2chpt1art3.htm

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Inclusive. But to catholics! That is to say if you join then you're in - it doesn't matter who you are, you can join. Catholics take the "teach all nations" bit VERY seriously. BUT, you would have to join to be in, it's not use just turning up and trying to take communion. You have to show willing, you have to take classes and you have to walk the walk.

Having said that they're not exactly exclusive to non-catholics. You should receive a good welcome just rolling up. Have a chat to a priest (its what he's there for), pray in a church, attand mass (even Mugabe was allowed at the Pope's funeral!) etc You just wont be fully a member until you've done the thing 'properly'.

Answer 3

We are inclusive people. That is great that you want to partake in the Eucharist. However, one needs to know that when one partakes in the Lord's supper in the Catholic Church, they are making many statements. One is that the Eucharist is Jesus our saviour. The second thing is that when partakes they are saying in that one act that they accept the authority of Rome, it's teachings, and Beliefs. Everything from the Communion of Saints, the teachings of Mary, etc. If you still want to partake, then I would recommend RCIA which will further teach everything about the Catholic Church. And then you can make the decision on whether or not you want to be Catholic.

Answer 4

Don't quote me on this cause I'm not a religious authority - I am a practicing Catholic, however. And depending on your definitions of inclusive/exclusive:

Catholics are inclusive as in we welcome everyone to Catholicism through Baptism and we practice not judging others.

But we are exclusive in terms of you needing to be Catholic to participate in the seven Sacraments, and in this case which you are asking, the Sacrament of Holy Communion (The Lord's Supper) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacraments_of_the_Catholic_Church).

So you cannot just receive Holy Communion just to receive it. You need to be Catholic and have gone through the rites of the Sacrament to be completely fulfilled.

Answer 5

Catholic means universal, but it's all a matter of interpretation.
I think in general, from my experience, they tend to be quite friendly on a small scale.
I realise that's not what this is about, but I thought I'd give you my take.

Answer 6

you cannot receive it in the catholic church without being baptised and "in communion" with the beleifs of the catholic faith. It is NOT a mere symbol.

Answer 7

catholic is universal so Id say it pretty much includes anyone who desires to join

Answer 8

If God commanded that you do something, you would be doing it. God makes no such commands. Your religion is not getting you closer to God, it is getting you farther away.