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

[annad347]

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.

1) It matters to me only if its a sin to God, like whether or not I confess my sins to a priest or directly to God. I tend to do both.

2) because after listening to the services, taking in the Eucharist lets the Word become a part of me. It tells God I trust Him, because though I'm not worthy, by His word alone, my soul is healed. It also tells Jesus I'm thankful for His sacrifice, that I will not turn from Him, that I'm willing to become one with Him. That I'm thankful to Him. It me taking in a part of Him... I have to be able to take in the Eucharist when I attend church services... to not take in the Eucharist is like an insult to God.

 

[annad347]

None of those little icons are a simple Thank You, so Thank You to everyone who replied to my question. I appreciate you for trying to help me.

 

[The Liturgist]

If you aren't Catholic, you shouldn't receive the Eucharist at a Catholic Mass.

@annad347

There is a specific exception to that: members of the Eastern churches (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Ancient Church of the East, Polish National Catholic Church) can receive the sacraments from a Catholic priest:

“Catholic ministers may licitly administer the sacraments of penance, Eucharist and anointing of the sick to members of the oriental churches which do not have full Communion with the Catholic Church, if they ask on their own for the sacraments and are properly disposed. This holds also for members of other churches, which in the judgment of the Apostolic See are in the same condition as the oriental churches as far as these sacraments are concerned” (CIC 844 § 3).

That said, most if not all of the Eastern Orthodox churches and many of the Oriental Orthodox churches do not want their members doing this.

Roman Catholics are also allowed, by the way, to approach Eastern clergy for sacraments if an RC priest is unavailable, however, in practice, only the Assyrian Church of the East will provide these sacraments (the Assyrian church will provide communion to anyone who believes in the real change of the Eucharist into the body and blood of our Lord, so this encompasses Roman Catholics, all Orthodox, most Lutherans, and some Anglicans).

There have been additional extraordinary exceptions. For example, Brother Robert, founder of the Taize community, was a Reformed pastor, but he received the Eucharist from both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

 

[friend of]

No. Take it as often as you can.

 

[Aussie Pete]

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??

I do not recall a Bible verse that puts conditions on the Eucharist. That does not prevent denominations stepping in to speak when God does not. Unfortunately.

 

[Tra Phull]

Methodists have open communion to any Christian. It's grape juice, not real wine. Methodists believe in a Real Presence, but do not try to define it.

Only Bible verse about Eucharist I know of says don't do it unworthily. But we are all sinners, all unworthy.

 

[Tra Phull]

Anyway, annad347, welcome to C.F.

No, it's not a sin

When I go to Orthodox service (my son is Greek Orthodox) I get bread but not wine - those are their rules. I do not try to take Eucharist at Lutheran or Catholic service, though I did once each, and got told it was a no-no
For me to do that, how was I to know?

Should they have signs in the sanctuary? Caveats in the bulletin?

Automatic excommunication sounds a bit much

Oreo cookies and Coca Cola could be used as far as I am concerned - they could become blood and body of Christ as easy as fermented or unfermented grape juice or leavened or unleavened bread.

Good thing hard-boiled eggs are not used - war might break out over whether to open them from big or little end; the theological implications could be staggering...

 

[Tra Phull]

And you can't use water (unless it was bottled by John the Baptist)

The Nicene Creed is the litmus test for CF for "being a Christian" - no C.F. rules I know of against Nehi Grape for communion/Eucharist...

If I seem to be pointing out things that border on silliness, it's deliberate.

 

[annad347]

Good thing hard-boiled eggs are not used - war might break out over whether to open them from big or little end; the theological implications could be staggering...

Wasn't that the basis for war that between the lands of Lilliput and Blefuscu?

@The Liturgist, I was baptized Catholic... so I'm Catholic.
@George95 I attend two different churches because when the Catholic bible study ended for the summer, I went looking for another it just happened to be at a Lutheran church. I thought it would be rude to attend the bible class and not the service so I started going to both.

 

[Tra Phull]

Liliput and Brobdingnang, if I remember my Swift

 

[Tra Phull]

I can't go anywhere at all now - how do y'all go - I be lockdown still

But may look for a church that uses lime sherbet and Canada Dry ginger ale when things open back up

 

[George95]

Wasn't that the basis for war that between the lands of Lilliput and Blefuscu?

@The Liturgist, I was baptized Catholic... so I'm Catholic.
@George95 I attend two different churches because when the Catholic bible study ended for the summer, I went looking for another it just happened to be at a Lutheran church. I thought it would be rude to attend the bible class and not the service so I started going to both.

I wouldn't think it is rude at all. You are a guest at that church and are visiting, so there is no expectation or requirement. I have visited other bible studies before and I am not a member of the church or their denomination.

 

[Tra Phull]

Whatsoever is not of faith is sin

Corporal Klinger voice:
Ya did take Eucharist in faith, dincha?

 

[Tra Phull]

Blefuscu seems to be correct - Brobdingnangians were the big people

I guess the two island nations of little people disagreed about the eggs

 

[Mountainmike]

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??

One problem is that sections of the Lutheran movement do not even agree with each other on this. MSL practices closes communion.

We are told Profaning the Eucharist is a serious business, but others can decide whether that is so in specific cases.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Bottom line; all the fancy theology aside; when you commune at both Churches, you are putting your self under the Pastoral care of both celebrants; you have professed 100% agreement with each Church by acting like you are in full fellowship with each. If the Lutheran Church you attend has open communion; they (my opinion as a confessional Lutheran) don't care what you believe or what you practice. The Catholic Church does. If the Lutheran Church is part of a confessional synod, you have effectively excommunicated yourself from both congregations.

Pick one; confess to the Pastor; Lutheran or Catholic; whichever you choose; then refrain from communing at the other Church.

It is that simple.

 

[Albion]

1) It matters to me only if its a sin to God, like whether or not I confess my sins to a priest or directly to God. I tend to do both.

Understood. So I assume that this issue is settled.

2) because after listening to the services, taking in the Eucharist lets the Word become a part of me. It tells God I trust Him, because though I'm not worthy, by His word alone, my soul is healed. It also tells Jesus I'm thankful for His sacrifice, that I will not turn from Him, that I'm willing to become one with Him. That I'm thankful to Him. It me taking in a part of Him... I have to be able to take in the Eucharist when I attend church services... to not take in the Eucharist is like an insult to God.

This is a POV that, I think, may be unique to you. It suggests that if once is good, and two is better, that three would better still, so why aren't you on the move even more every Sunday?

I'd recommend having several conversations with clergy about it.

 

[pescador]

When I read through the posts I am impressed about how much the "official" denominations, including the Catholic church, have put people under their version of the law. Christians are all in Christ and are free from any formal church authority. The "official" denominations have no right to tell people what they must do to be accepted: Matthew 11:28-30 says " “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

There is no requirement here to put yourself back under the laws of denominations.

 

[GodsGrace101]

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??

Only those persons that are Catholic can receive communion in a catholic church.

This is because Catholics believe in transubstantiation.
The Host become the Body and Blood of Jesus.

Lutherans believe in the Real Presence of Jesus...which is different.

As a result,,, Lutherans CANNOT receive communion in a Catholic church, because they do not believe in transubstantiation.

Anyway, how could you be both Lutheran AND Catholic? The doctrine is totally different.
(the teachings).

 

[annad347]

I wouldn't think it is rude at all. You are a guest at that church and are visiting, so there is no expectation or requirement. I have visited other bible studies before and I am not a member of the church or their denomination.

I had stopped going to church for decades... when I went back I started to question if I still believed as Catholics... so I asked a lot of question. When I was able to go to a Lutheran bible study class I went to, then went to their services, to see the difference.

Ya did take Eucharist in faith

that I'm taking in the body and blood of Christ, yes.

It is that simple.

no its not... if people can have duel citizenship why can't I go to two churches that are built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

This is a POV that, I think, may be unique to you. It suggests that if once is good, and two is better, that three would better still, so why aren't you on the move even more every Sunday?

I'm not sure what you mean...