Those in Mortal Sin Can't Go to Communion, Says Pope

Zenit.org ^ | 03-14-05 | Pope John Paul II

[Salvation]

Date: 2005-03-14

Those in Mortal Sin Can't Go to Communion, Says Pope

In a Message to Priests at Course on "Internal Forum"

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 14, 2005 (Zenit.org).- In keeping with Church teaching, John Paul II issued a reminder that no one who is aware of being in a state of mortal sin can go to Communion.

The Pope confirmed the traditional teaching of the magisterium in a message published by the Holy See on Saturday. The message was addressed to young priests who attended a course last week on the "internal forum" -- questions of conscience -- organized by the tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

The Holy Father dedicated his letter, signed March 8 in the Gemelli Polyclinic where he was hospitalized, to the relationship that exists between the Eucharist and confession.

"We live in a society that seems frequently to have lost the sense of God and of sin," writes John Paul II. "In this context, therefore, Christ's invitation to conversion is that much more urgent, which implies the conscious confession of one's sins and the relative request for forgiveness and salvation.

"In the exercise of his ministry, the priest knows that he acts 'in the person of Christ and under the action of the Holy Spirit,' and for this reason he must nourish [Christ's] sentiments in his inner being, increase within himself the charity of Jesus, teacher and shepherd, physician of souls and bodies, spiritual guide, just and merciful judge."

The Pope continues: "In the tradition of the Church, sacramental reconciliation has always been considered in profound relationship with the banquet of the sacrifice of the Eucharist, memorial of our redemption.

"Already in the first Christian communities the need was felt to prepare oneself, with a worthy conduct of life, to celebrate the breaking of the Eucharistic bread, which is 'Communion' with the body and blood of the Lord and 'communion' ('koinonia') with believers who form only one body, as they are nourished with the same body of Christ."

Because of this, the Pontiff recalls St. Paul's warning to the Corinthians when he said: "Whoever 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" (1 Corinthians 11:27).

"In the rite of the Holy Mass," notes the Pope, "many elements underline this exigency of purification and conversion: from the initial penitential act to the prayers for forgiveness; from the gesture of peace to the prayers that the priests and faithful recite before Communion."

"Only someone who is sincerely conscious of not having committed a mortal sin can receive the Body of Christ," states the papal message, recalling the doctrine of the Council of Trent. "And this continues to be the teaching of the Church also today."

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains the difference between mortal and venial sin in Nos. 1854 to 1864.

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[Cronos]

I'm not sure what a "mortal sin" is. What sin can we commit that Jesus did not die to forgive?

Take it this way -- if we sin grievously and do not ask for forgiveness, then we should not receive communion

[Cronos]

Carrying out an abortion or euthanasia IS a mortal sin

[SaltyJoe]

"If the Church’s rules are followed to the letter, there would be few people at the communion rail."

The rules are not intended to deny Grace, but to discipline us to receive more. If followed "to the letter", there would be more receiving Communion because:

1 we'd would go to Church quite regularly
2 we'd go to Reconciliation quite regularly
3 we'd live in a State of Grace to receive Communion
4 we'd have more babies
5 we'd have more priests because families would have more babies
6 the more priests we have, the more available the Sacraments

Since many are not following the rules, most if not all are suffering by receiving less than what could have been if we had allowed the Holy Spirit to work through us more.

[Cronos]

The pope never would have said anything if they had not replaced his 9volt battery in the hospital. One wonders who - below this old figurehead - is really trying to set policy. Of course, it's more a "tempest in a teapot" as almost no one listens to them anymore.

Shame on you -- a known, deeply religious man, the Pope goes to hospital and STILL issues moral statements for his flock and you make frivolous comments?

A figurehead? Have you been asleep during John Paul's office?

[Cronos]

This doesn't seem relevent to the topic at hand. Isn't this thread a Catholic issue?

You mustn't forget that every thread that touches on Catholicism is immediately acted on by those wishing to attack God's Catholic and Apostolic Church. It's the same as in the first centuries -- the true Church will always be under attack from the enemy.

[Jeff Chandler]

I don't mind a little give and take, as long as it is respectful.

[Logic n' Reason]

I seriously doubt it....many many many more choose not to listen than do...and we're just fine; thank you very much.

[Cronos]

My fear is that I have committed sins that can't be forgiven...

Remember that you ask forgiveness not of us or any mortals -- you ask forgiveness of God and He is far, far more merciful than we could ever be. Welcome Home!!!

[Dominick]

I don't believe one has to be "sinless" to take communion, as in our flesh none of us is sinless.

This is correct none are sinless. However, Paul makes note of sins that are fatal and sins that are not fatal. Our Catholic forebears called this Mortal sin. Mortal sin cuts you off from Christ, and the smaller sins are the "human condition".

If a unrepentant Satanist came to your Church, should they receive communion from you? In Catholicism, we believe this is Christ, and beyond that, it is is sign of unity (cf St. Paul).

[Cronos]

I seriously doubt it....many many many more choose not to listen than do

Really? You mean to say the fact that more than 60% of Christianity belong to the Catholic church does not constitute a majority?

[Salvation]

Perhaps you are not aware that the words of absolution ask God's forgiveness -- not the forgiveness of the priest. Please check your facts.

[Salvation]

Absolution

1449 The formula of absolution used in the Latin Church expresses the essential elements of this sacrament: the Father of mercies is the source of all forgiveness. He effects the reconciliation of sinners through the Passover of his Son and the gift of his Spirit, through the prayer and ministry of the Church:

God, the Father of mercies,
through the death and the resurrection of his Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church
may God give you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

(Highlighting mine.)

[spunkets]

"I'm not sure what a "mortal sin" is. What sin can we commit that Jesus did not die to forgive?"

Matt 12:32
"Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come."

A mortal sin is that sin which occurs, because the individual makes a conscious decision, actually a series of decisions, to reject the Holy Spirit.

[american colleen]

No human being has ever been "worthy" to partake of the blood of Christ. We are honored that God has provided us the opportunity in our unworthy state.

I'm not clear on what you believe about the Eucharist? It's either a symbol or the body and blood of Christ, it can't be both. If it's a symbol, why all the fuss about being worthy or unworthy?

[franky]

A real problem for the Church has been and is the lack of the saintly Nuns I had teaching me in bygone years. I attended public schools but we had release time on Wednesday at 2 PM and walked to the Church and went to our classes. Sunday, after the 9 AM Mass we went to class.

We were taught in those days what was sin and that we were to confess all sins and we surely did. To this day I still confess every sin I can think of but when you get to an older age, thank God, your tendency is not to sin as much, at least with me, the grave sins. I think the Church has been to technical in defining sins.

I had the Baltimore Catachism, 1938 version.

[Jack of all Trades]

I had considered becoming Catholic for a number of years. I was raised Methodist, but fell away from that church. I've attended mass with my wife pretty faithfully for a long time, but always felt like an outsider (of course), especially so since my son was born four years ago.

One Sunday morning I just decided it was time, and asked the Priest about becoming Catholic. He explained the very basics of the faith, and sent me to instructional classes. Early on, I had huge concerns about confession because I'm 40, have never made a personal confession, and I have done some really vile things in my life. I was afraid I would receive a huge REJECTED stamp for my efforts.

I was very relieved to find, as others have said in this thread, that the only two unforgivable types of sin are those we don't confess and those we don't accept forgiveness for. Long story short, I made my first confession last Saturday, and I am absolutely elated. The feeling of the lifting of dread and despair goes way beyond what I had expected.

[P-Marlowe]

It's either a symbol or the body and blood of Christ, it can't be both.

The last time I was involved in a discussion on that subject, the thread got pulled. I'll pass.

[todd1]

Thanks for the inspiring story...

[sinkspur]

I was very relieved to find, as others have said in this thread, that the only two unforgivable types of sin are those we don't confess and those we don't accept forgiveness for

Good for you. Welcome aboard.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is just that: reconciliation with God and, through the person of the priest, reconciliation with the community of the Church.

[R. Scott]

If followed "to the letter", there would be more receiving Communion because:

If the people followed the rules.