When did the Episcopal Church go to Open Communion?

[Basil the Great]

I was considering the Episcopal Church many years ago, but was denied Communion when I visited and that was one reason I never returned. I then attended a wedding at an Episcopal Church about 15 years ago and the woman priest said "on this day and on this occasion, all Christians are welcome to commune." I took her statement to mean that open Communion must only have been available for weddings and funerals. Now it seems that the Episcopal Church always offers open Communion. Can anyone tell me when the change occured?

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I was considering the Episcopal Church many years ago, but was denied Communion when I visited and that was one reason I never returned. I then attended a wedding at an Episcopal Church about 15 years ago and the woman priest said "on this day and on this occasion, all Christians are welcome to commune." I took her statement to mean that open Communion must only have been available for weddings and funerals. Now it seems that the Episcopal Church always offers open Communion. Can anyone tell me when the change occured?

I'm not Anglican, but some of my mom's family are. Most Anglican Churchs which I have attended always practiced open communion (going back to the 1960's), but there were a few that practiced closed or "close" Communion. In my experience the "Middle", "High" and "Anglo-catholic" tended to be open while "Low" Churches tended to be close or closed.

Are there any Anglican Parished which still practice "closed or close" Communion?

 

[blue_grassbelle]

I've only been associated with the church for a couple of months, so I don't know how long ago it changed. But I will say I am so happy since I've become associated with the church. It offers everything I've every wanted and fills my spiritual needs.
I would encourage you to give the church another chance. To me, the church is perfectly balance to meet all of the spiritual needs of people.

 

[MKJ]

I believe that before the 1940's most, or many, (maybe all?) Anglican churches practised closed communion. I don't know precisely when TEC changed though.

 

[mark46]

Is it only TEC that changed? What about the African and South American provinces. Do they practice communion open to all the baptized.

BTW, to nitpick a bit, "open communion" is NOT what we practice. "Open communion" is open even to the unbaptized. Some protestant churches practice this and some Anglicans want to (I suspect that some already do).

I believe that before the 1940's most, or many, (maybe all?) Anglican churches practised closed communion. I don't know precisely when TEC changed though.

 

[cajunhillbilly]

Most evangelical churches do not allow unbelievers to partake of communion. Open Communion actually refers to allowing all professing Christians to have communion in your church.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Most evangelical churches do not allow unbelievers to partake of communion. Open Communion actually refers to allowing all professing Christians to have communion in your church.

I attend an evangelical church and our all who would normally receive communion in their home church are welcome to our table. So, it is basically open to all baptised Christians, except for our own children, who have to wait until confirmation.

I have a feeling that Open Communion is a more political notion, which is much bigger than simply having an open table. I think it is a series of joint agreements between different parts of the church, such as agreements with Lutheran churches in the nordic countries, GB Methodists, etc.

 

[MKJ]

Is it only TEC that changed? What about the African and South American provinces. Do they practice communion open to all the baptized.

BTW, to nitpick a bit, "open communion" is NOT what we practice. "Open communion" is open even to the unbaptized. Some protestant churches practice this and some Anglicans want to (I suspect that some already do).

I don't know about Africa. I know in Canada and Europe all baptized Christians are invited. It seems increasingly common to invite all, including non-Christians.

 

[Basil the Great]

Well, it was many years ago when I made my visit. I first talked to the priest and he said that even though I accepted the teaching that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, I could still not commune. I should add that this happened about 40 years ago, probably in 1971. I was just wondering how many years after that date the EUCSA policy changed.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Well, it was many years ago when I made my visit. I first talked to the priest and he said that even though I accepted the teaching that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, I could still not commune. I should add that this happened about 40 years ago, probably in 1971. I was just wondering how many years after that date the EUCSA policy changed.

I don't think it had anything to do with teaching.

 

[Ryu2000]

I've only been associated with the church for a couple of months, so I don't know how long ago it changed. But I will say I am so happy since I've become associated with the church. It offers everything I've every wanted and fills my spiritual needs.
I would encourage you to give the church another chance. To me, the church is perfectly balance to meet all of the spiritual needs of people.

I have to agree!!! I'm pretty new to the Anglican Church myself (and new to the Forum, so hi everybody!). It is such a blessing, isn't it? Just saw your post and had to say a hearty "Amen!"

 

[fishfish]

it is actually illegal in England to refuse the sacraments to anyone and has been since the 1400's.

 

[Seek 2 Pray]

I remember from my childhood there was a change...they started inviting all baptised Christians to partake. In fact, some of the kids at church did not automatically sign up for confirmation class when they reached the typical age, since they could participate if they were baptized. It was the late 1970s I think, but could not swear to it. It seems a long time ago...

I am editing this to clarify that I am referring to ECUSA in the 1970s (Diocese of Alabama). Sorry!

 

[Drax]

I am editing this to clarify that I am referring to ECUSA in the 1970s (Diocese of Alabama)

A good place to be!

 

[higgs2]

Is it only TEC that changed? What about the African and South American provinces. Do they practice communion open to all the baptized.

BTW, to nitpick a bit, "open communion" is NOT what we practice. "Open communion" is open even to the unbaptized. Some protestant churches practice this and some Anglicans want to (I suspect that some already do).

Communion for all baptised is often referred to as open communion. The term refers to the practice of opening comunion to those outside of the denomination.

Closed communion mean only those who are (often confirmed)member of a denomination may partake. The (WELS) Lutheran Church would be a good example of this, as would the Roman Catholic Church. Although the say the Orthodox are welcome; but the Orthodox aren't interested.

 

[file13]

Although the say the Orthodox are welcome; but the Orthodox aren't interested.

True. An Orthodox Christian taking communion outside an Orthodox church technically excommunicates him/herself. They're really not even supposed to be visiting any other churches either (under normal circumstances) so you can see why they'd want to avoid any of the above. Of course, there's always bad Orthodox and Catholics out there who either aren't aware of this prohibition or who ignore it. I know a Roman Catholic who's family attends a LCMS (Lutheran) church and takes communion with them, but there's no doubt observant Catholics would not approve--nor would many Lutherans!

 

[VolRaider]

I've never known the TEC to practice closed communion. Mine practiced open communion to all baptised Christians (1980s) - I think. However, I had to wait until confirmation to take communion.
Funny thing happened with my aunt. She was Catholic but was always under the impression (as well as I) that she could take communion in the TEC but that we could not in her church. So she took it. I recently discovered that Catholics are NOT allowed to take communion outside of the RCC. Sooooo...would she be in for it if I ratted her out?lol

 

[Maid Marie]

Well, it was many years ago when I made my visit. I first talked to the priest and he said that even though I accepted the teaching that the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ, I could still not commune. I should add that this happened about 40 years ago, probably in 1971. I was just wondering how many years after that date the EUCSA policy changed.

Just a wild guess but maybe since there was enough of a change in the late 1970s in TEC to produce a new BCP, there would be a change in procedure to allow any baptized Christian to partake?