Is it a sin to take the Eucharist at two different churhes?

annad347 · May 1, 2020

The two churches I attend is Catholic and Lutheran... and have been taking the Eucharist at both services... so am I committing a sin by doing so, and if I am which which commandment am I breaking??

Basil the Great · May 1, 2020

Welcome to the forums, annad347. Now, you raise an interesting question, but you list yourself as Catholic and Lutheran. Can you be both? Anyway, unless things have changed recently, only Catholics (and possibly Orthodox) are allowed to take Communion at Catholic Churches, except for Protestants who share the Catholic view of Communion and then only if one of their churches is not available. Hence, if you are a Lutheran, I guess you should not take Communion at a Catholic Church. If you are a Catholic, it appears that Code of Canon Law #844 explains that it is generally not permissible to receive Communion from a Protestant minister, though there are apparently some exceptions. However, I seriously doubt that it would be acceptable to do so on a regular basis. As far as the Lutheran Churches, the more conservative ones would say Catholics cannot commune with them, but the more liberal ELCA Synod would be open to it, as far as I know anyway. As to whether or not you are sinning, I will let others answer that question.

Michie · May 1, 2020

annad347 said:
The two churches I attend is Catholic and Lutheran... and have been taking the Eucharist at both services... so am I committing a sin by doing so, and if I am which which commandment am I breaking??

According to the RCC, yes. If you are Catholic. And you automatically ex-communicated yourself. You should go to confession if you are Catholic but I see that you aren’t. My impression is Lutherans frown upon this as well. You should talk to your pastor. The RCC does not have open communion and that should be respected.

Daniel9v9 · May 1, 2020

Hmm, that's a loaded question! The short answer, I think, is no. The fact that you are (presumably) only looking for the comfort that comes through the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is a good thing! That's not a sin.

Now, unfortunately, it gets more complicated than this, both from a Lutheran and a Roman Catholic point of view. First of all, it depends on which branch of Lutheranism you hold to. If you're a liberal Lutheran like the ELCA, for example, I don't think they would mind. But if you're an orthodox Lutheran such as LCMS or WELS, it's a matter of confessionalism - that is, what do we say when we go back and forth between two different teachings on the Eucharist. There is only one truth and that's what we believe to uphold. To be indifferent is not the same as being humble or honest - it's really a disregard for truth and God's Word. It's better to have an honest schism than a dishonest union.

It's worth learning what the differences are, because they are significant. However, this is not to burden you! But only so that you can receive the Eucharist in good conscience, for that's precisely what it's for: our comfort. The Eucharist is not something we do for God, but what God does for us; It's God's gift for us, where we receive Christ's body and His blood, the new testament (or covenant), which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

From a Roman Catholic point of view, strictly speaking, you should not be allowed to receive the Eucharist from the Roman Catholic Church.

In short, both orthodox Lutherans and the Roman Catholic Church practices closed communion. The best thing to do is to talk to your pastor or priest.

Blessings +

ViaCrucis · May 1, 2020

annad347 said:
The two churches I attend is Catholic and Lutheran... and have been taking the Eucharist at both services... so am I committing a sin by doing so, and if I am which which commandment am I breaking??

In an ideal circumstance there wouldn't be any problem at all, and Lutherans and Catholics would be sharing communion with one another anyway, since there would be no schism between us.

That you receive at a Lutheran church depends entirely on the Lutheran church. Some Lutherans practice Open Communion, and as long as you are a baptized Christian you are welcome to the Lord's Table. Some Lutherans practice Closed Communion, and that means not just sharing the view that this is truly and really the body and blood of Christ given and shed for you and the forgiveness of your sins; but also means sharing and confessing the same faith, because the Sacrament of the Table is also an act of confession with your fellow communicants, receiving Christ together in the same confession of faith. It wouldn't be a problem, on the Lutheran side, if the church you receive at practices Open Communion, but it would be at one that practices Closed Communion; and that's not out of spite, exclusiveness, or mean-spiritedness, it's just that because of how precious and important the Eucharist is, being together in confession is important.

On the Catholic side, it's not unlike the Closed Communion Lutheran side. Receiving the Eucharist is a receiving of Christ's body and blood within the shared-togetherness of faith. If you aren't Catholic, you shouldn't receive the Eucharist at a Catholic Mass.

Both Lutherans and Catholics, however, offer the option to receive a blessing for those who abstain from receiving the Holy Eucharist. There's nothing that says you have to stop visiting either of these churches, but depending on circumstances it may mean abstaining from receiving the Lord's Supper at either one or both.

None of this is intended to attack or belittle you. Just as information to use while going forward.

Also, I wouldn't call it sinful. At least insofar as you've done nothing to cause harm. The Catholic position might be different, but as I see it you've intended no harm and the Lord knows your heart in this. But, for the sake of good order, and respect of the Body of Christ, it would be prudent to abstain in accordance with the procedures of the churches.

-CryptoLutheran

Basil the Great · May 1, 2020

Michie said:
According to the RCC, yes. If you are Catholic. And you automatically ex-communicated yourself. You should go to confession if you are Catholic but I see that you aren’t. My impression is Lutherans frown upon this as well. You should talk to your pastor. The RCC does not have open communion and that should be respected.

I think the automatic excommunication would be if a Catholic leaves the faith and actually joins a Protestant or Orthodox faith community, but not just if a Catholic took Communion in a Protestant Church. I just wanted to clarify. Am I not correct, Michie?

Michie · May 1, 2020

Basil the Great said:
I think the automatic excommunication would be if a Catholic leaves the faith and actually joins a Protestant or Orthodox faith community, but not just if a Catholic took Communion in a Protestant Church. I just wanted to clarify. Am I not correct, Michie?

I was taught taking communion in another Church is automatic excommunication. We are not allowed to take communion in other Church’s and remain Catholic. I need to look it up. Maybe I was taught wrongly about this (would not surprise me) but I do know that Catholics taking communion outside the Church is forbidden in most cases. And Catholics practice closed communion.

Michie · May 1, 2020

I found this:

Some excommunications, however, are automatic (effective at the moment the act is committed) and without the intervention of the Church. Catholics are automatically excommunicated for committing these offenses:

•Procuring of abortion

•Apostasy: The total rejection of the Christian faith.

•Heresy: The obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth, which must be believed with divine and Catholic faith.

•Schism: The rejection of the authority and jurisdiction of the pope as head of the Church.

•Desecration of sacred species (Holy Communion)

•Physical attack on the pope

•Sacramental absolution of an accomplice in sin against the Sixth and Ninth Commandments

•Unauthorized episcopal (bishop) consecration

•Direct violation of confessional seal by confessor’*

Catholicism: Excommunication and Other Penalties - dummies

Looks like you are right @Basil the Great .

annad347 · May 1, 2020

But its not a sin.

I'm Catholic but had issues with the Catholic church, so stopped attending then returned about a year ago, became an active member of the Catholic church, but I also started attending a Lutheran church around the same time... both services are almost exactly the same, sometimes they preach the same scripture on the same day, with different homilies of course... if it wasn't for some details and the fact I know the difference between the churches, I'd forget which is which.

The priest in the Lutheran church tells me its okay to take the Eucharist at both services, he knows I go to both services each week. I got different answers at the same Catholic church... 1-priest said I'd get confused attending both services, 1-priest didn't really say yes or no, 1-priest said I should understand that the Lutherans don't believe the Eucharist becomes the body and blood of Christ, but doesn't think it should be a problem and then Director of Faith Formation told me its fine to not only attend both church but participate in the Eucharist, but he's not a priest just director of the RCIA classes but I don't think he'd be okay with me doing something that was sinful... but because of the different answers, I asked here, to make sure its not a sin.

What does this mean "Desecration of sacred species"? Desecration is the act of depriving something of its sacred character, or the disrespectful, contemptuous, or destructive treatment of that which is held to be sacred or holy by a group or individual. I don't think I'm doing that, I know what the Eucharist is, I know the importance of taking in the Eucharist. I make sure I'm not in mortal sin when I take in the Eucharist and I pray "Lord I'm not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the words and my soul shall be healed" at both services.

From what I'm getting at by what I read sounds like two parents fighting over their children after a divorce. My house my rules, and if you can't follow the rules in my house, you have no respect for me.

If its not a sin against God to take the Eucharist at two different churches then I'm fine. God is the only one I need to praise and glorify when I take in the body and blood of Christ, and which church is The Church created on the foundation of Jesus and the back of Peter, is still a question I have not yet been able to answer.

I like both services, I like the people at both services, I like the bible classes at both services and most of all I like attending both services.

Though I disagree with some things in both churches, none of those things goes against the serves, worship, praise and glorify Jesus Christ, The Father, The Sons and The Holy Sprit... and that's all I want to do... so its not a sin, then its not a sin. Thank God.

Michie · May 1, 2020

annad347 said:
but its not a sin.

I'm Catholic but had issues with the Catholic church, so stopped attending then returned about a year ago, became an active member of the Catholic church, but I also started attending a Lutheran church around the same time... both services are almost exactly the same, sometimes they preach the same scripture on the same day, with different homilies of course... if it wasn't for some details and the fact I know the difference between the churches, I'd forget which is which.

The priest in the Lutheran church tells me its okay to take the Eucharist at both services, he knows I go to both services each week. I got different answers at the same Catholic church... 1-priest said I'd get confused attending both services, 1-priest didn't really say yes or no, 1-priest said I should understand that the Lutherans don't believe the Eucharist becomes the body and blood of Christ, but doesn't think it should be a problem and then Director of Faith Formation told me its fine to not only attend both church but participate in the Eucharist, but he's not a priest just director of the RCIA classes but I don't think he'd be okay for me to do something that wasn't okay... the which is why I asked here.

if I'm automatically excommunicated means what I will never enter the kingdom of heaven if I don't do what the Catholic church says I should do?

What does this mean "Desecration of sacred species"? Desecration is the act of depriving something of its sacred character, or the disrespectful, contemptuous, or destructive treatment of that which is held to be sacred or holy by a group or individual. I don't think I'm doing that, I know what the Eucharist is, I know the importance of taking in the Eucharist. I make sure I'm not in mortal sin when I take in the Eucharist and I pray "Lord I'm not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the words and my soul shall be healed" at both services.

From what I'm getting at by what I read sounds like two parents trying to fight over their children. My house my rules, and if you follow their rules you have no respect for me.

If its not a sin against God to take the Eucharist at two different churches then I'm fine. God is the only one I need to praise and glorify when I take in the body and blood of Christ.

I like both services, I like the people in both services, I like the bible classes in both services and most of all I like attending both services.

Though I disagree with some things in both churches, none of those things goes against they serve and worship Christ... and that's all I want to do... so its not a sin, then its not a sin. Thank God.

If you are deliberately taking communion in the Catholic Church when the teachings of the Church forbid it, then I’d say that is being disobedient. You are not automatically excommunicated. I was wrong. But you need to decide which Church you are going to commit to. You cannot commit to both and pick and choose among their teachings as if it is a cafeteria. Learn the teachings of each church and go from there. You seem to know that partaking in both Churches is wrong and you know that the Catholic Church is closed communion. I think you already know this is not above board or you would not have asked. Prayers for God’s guidance for you

Michie · May 1, 2020

If you are interested, here is the Catholic forum.
One Bread, One Body - Catholic

Here is the Lutheran forum:
Theologia Crucis - Lutherans

pescador · May 1, 2020

annad347 said:
The two churches I attend is Catholic and Lutheran... and have been taking the Eucharist at both services... so am I committing a sin by doing so, and if I am which which commandment am I breaking??

No, you're not. Jesus didn't specify a time or place to eat the bread and drink the wine. Institutional churches may have you believe that theirs is the only proper eucharist, but that's not what the Bible says.

Luke 22: 19-20, " Then he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."

1 Corinthians 11:23-25, "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

There is no mention of any church or liturgy. As often as you drink it doesn't mean it's confined to some formal church setting.

Albion · May 1, 2020

annad347 said:
But its not a sin.

I'm Catholic but had issues with the Catholic church, so stopped attending then returned about a year ago, became an active member of the Catholic church, but I also started attending a Lutheran church around the same time.

You seem to understand the situation quite well, and I wouldn't say that what you asked about IS a sin.

However, it's a violation of Catholic Church law, rightly or wrongly.

So the only two issues I see are:

1) does this violation matter much to you? It's little more than a technicality to most Catholic priests these days, as I guess you figured out, but if that's the church in which you placed your membership....

2) why do you feel the need to commune in both churches on the same day? You could attend both and keep a clear conscience.

Michie · May 1, 2020

Albion said:
You seem to understand the situation quite well, and I wouldn't say that what you asked about IS a sin.

However, it's a violation of Catholic Church law, rightly or wrongly.

So the only two issues I see are:

1) does this violation matter much to you? It's little more than a technicality to most Catholic priests these days, as I guess you figured out, but if that's the church in which you placed your membership....

2) why do you feel the need to commune in both churches on the same day? You could attend both and keep a clear conscience.

I agree with everything you posted except the part most priests consider this a technicality. That’s not true. Many priest consider it a serious offense.

Albion · May 1, 2020

Michie said:
I agree with everything you posted except the part most priests consider this a technicality. That’s not true. Many priest consider it a serious offense.

All right. We're always in trouble when saying "most" of anything it seems.

It's true of many priests, though. "The times, they've been a-changin."

Michie · May 1, 2020

Albion said:
All right. We're always in trouble when saying "most" of anything it seems.

It's true of many priests, though. "The times, they've been a-changin."

Yes indeed. There are those that ignore the teachings of the Church but that does not change the official teachings of the Church.

Albion · May 1, 2020

Michie said:
Yes indeed. There are those that ignore the teachings of the Church but that does not change the official teachings of the Church.

No, it doesn't, but I find it hard to advise a recent member to adhere to the letter of a law that relatively few of the other members bother with and many of their priests don't really care about.

Michie · May 1, 2020

Albion said:
No, it doesn't, but I find it hard to advise a recent member to adhere to the letter of a law that relatively few of the other members bother with and many of their priests don't really care about.

Their priests maybe. None I’ve ever encountered in my tradition.

annad347 · May 1, 2020

Michie said:
If you are deliberately taking communion in the Catholic Church when the teachings of the Church forbid it, then I’d say that is being disobedient. You are not automatically excommunicated. I was wrong. But you need to decide which Church you are going to commit to. You cannot commit to both and pick and choose among their teachings as if it is a cafeteria. Learn the teachings of each church and go from there. You seem to know that partaking in both Churches is wrong and you know that the Catholic Church is closed communion. I think you already know this is not above board or you would not have asked. Prayers for God’s guidance for you

Disobedient to who, the Catholic Church or God?

I'm not picking and choosing what rules of the Catholic church I want to follow as in a cafeteria, if I was, I wouldn't bother asking the question, I’d just do what I want, then ask for forgiveness later. I am learning many of the things I did have issues with the Catholic Church, I now understand better, though I still fear praying to Mary so I doubt I ever will, but since it’s not one of the 5 Precepts to being an active member of the Catholic Church, so it’s not necessary. I can also do the Rosary without prayers to Mary.

I'm trying to learn the teachings of the Catholic Church but a lot of their teachings come from the Catechism of the Catholic Church as if should have more authority over the bible, that's something I'm still trying to understand. I want to be a respectful Catholic Church... but they were inconsistent with their answers.

George95 · May 1, 2020

I can’t really understand why though one would be communing at two different churches, since views are different. What’s the benefit of doing it? I personally would never do that even if I was allowed because it’s two different churches with different views, especially regarding Communion.

Is it a sin to take the Eucharist at two different churhes?

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