Communion Question

[MusicMelOU]

My boyfriend is Catholic and I sometimes go to mass with him.

Could someone explain to me why it is that Christians who are not officially Catholic are not permitted to take communion in the Catholic church? Thanks!

 

[kern]

Catholics believe that communion should only be taken by Catholics who believe in the Real Presence (the doctrine that the bread and wine are actually the flesh and blood of Jesus), and have no unconfessed mortal sins (this means that even Catholics are not permitted to accept the Eucharist sometimes).

This is not intended as punishment, but more for protection -- Catholics also believe that it is a grave sin to take communion "unworthily".

-Chris

 

[Aaron-Aggie]

Catholics believe that communion should only be taken by Catholics who believe in the Real Presence (the doctrine that the bread and wine are actually the flesh and blood of Jesus), and have no unconfessed mortal sins (this means that even Catholics are not permitted to accept the Eucharist sometimes).

This is not intended as punishment, but more for protection -- Catholics also believe that it is a grave sin to take communion "unworthily".

-Chris

Good post

The key word is for their own protection.

 

[Credo]

Protection, as stated in previous posts, is the number 1 reason - protection for those who done believe the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Christ and for those who are in the state of mortal sin:

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. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

Receiving the Eucharist is not only the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, but it is also the ultimate sign of unity. Those who are in full union with the Church may come forward to humbly receive our Lord and thus being united with all Catholics throughout the world through the One Bread, One Body, of our Lord.

Unfortunately, within Christianity there isn't unity. There's separation and division. It would be a mockery of the Eucharist's unifying symbolism to pretend that unity existed where it doesn't. For this reason, as well as those expressed above, those who are not in full union with the Catholic Church or Catholics who are in the state of mortal sin are not allowed to receive the Eucharist, for those with mortal sin have severed themselves by their own free will and must be reconciled first.

God Bless!

 

[BAChristian]

Simply put: If you don't follow what the Church teaches, then don't take communion.

 

[catholicboy]

I would also say it has to do with the fact that you aren't in "Communion" with everyone else who is receiving. Sure we as Christians are all united by the Holy Spirit, but that doesn't mean we all believe the same. being that you aren't Catholic, you don't believe that what is being eaten is actually the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We as a Catholic Communion-ity all believe the same thing about the Eucharist. like everyone else has said, it is nothing against you, just protecting our beliefs...

May God bless you as you search for the Truth!

Aaron

 

[KC Catholic]

Of course, if the time was right and you felt the call to convert ..we'd love to have you join us and partake in the Body and Blood of Christ. But that is for you and the Holy Spirit to discern. Just wanted you to know you are welcome here and encouraged to ask more questions.

Peace be with you.

 

[MusicMelOU]

Thanks for your explanations. I don't agree that communion as a whole should be reserved only for Catholics within the Christian faith, but now I understand and respect as to why the Catholic church feels that only Catholics should take it within the church.

Another question: is it true that only 2 Catholics can be married in the Catholic church? My boyfriend wants a Catholic wedding, but I always thought that in order for that to happen (if I wind up being his wife) that I would have to be Catholic too.

 

[kern]

IIRC it's fine if you're not Catholic as long as you agree to raise your children Catholic, or something like that -- I forget what the exact "rules" are but I know it's not "you must convert".

-Chris

 

[artnalex]

Although you would not need to convert, you would need to agree to raise your children in the Catholic faith.

 

[KC Catholic]

IIRC it's fine if you're not Catholic as long as you agree to raise your children Catholic, or something like that -- I forget what the exact "rules" are but I know it's not "you must convert".

-Chris

This is correct and both spouses must have a valid Baptism.