Catholic Apologetics: Non-Catholics in the Communion Line

Catholic Answers ^ | April 15, 2015 | Michelle Arnold

[NYer]

Ping!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Non-Catholics in the Communion Line

If you are not a member of that faith, (Catholic or otherwise) don't join the line.

People really should learn church visitor manners.

[fwdude]

Staunch rules, which is good. A sharp delineation between Catholic and non-Catholic is critical.

However, how about denying communion to baby-killers and sodomites in your ranks, even though “Catholic?”

[Legatus]

However, how about denying communion to baby-killers and sodomites in your ranks, even though “Catholic?”

That's exactly what I was wondering.

[DuncanWaring]

However, how about denying communion to baby-killers and sodomites in your ranks...

That's a question that probably lingers in the minds of every Catholic who is neither a baby-killer nor a sodomite.

[Steve_Seattle]

I am a lapsed Catholic, but respect the church's rules on communion when I attend a mass with my mother; that is, I abstain from communion.

But my sister - also basically a lapsed Catholic - and her husband - a Protestant - ALWAYS receive communion on these occasions. I guess it comes down to who has a sense of entitlement and who doesn't.

[kearnyirish2]

The Orthodox Churches are not Catholic, but may receive. The delineation is not so clear. The Catholic Church won’t lump those Orthodox Churches that have apostolic descent with Protestants and such; they aren’t regarded as heresies.

In my county here in NJ we just had a regional bishop host a Protestant she-bishop speak at his parish; I can’t believe he can expect anyone to respect any Church guidelines at all after that...

[piusv]

Here is 1917 Code of Canon Law (Canon 731)regarding non-Catholics receiving communion:

It is forbidden to administer the sacraments of the Church to heretics or schismatics, even though they err in good faith and ask for them, unless they have first renounced their errors and been reconciled with the Church.

The new 1983 Canon Law is a direct result of the new ecclesiology of Vatican II. It is a radical departure from the Church's Traditional Law and Teaching.

[FatherofFive]

However, how about denying communion to baby-killers and sodomites in your ranks, even though “Catholic?”

And don't forget the divorced, remarried as well.

[Last Dakotan]

...the less-common announcement that "Communion is reserved to practicing Catholics in a state of grace" also is problematic.

How so?

[Gamecock]

However, how about denying communion to baby-killers and sodomites in your ranks, even though “Catholic?”

As a strongly pro-life, Trinitarian Christian I would hate to get in the way of baby-killers and sodomites!

[PJammers]

Judas was at the last supper.

[RitaOK]

Heck, NYer, non-Catholics are IN the Church, now. Some are cardinals.

Priests consciously accommodate liberality all the time, usually in the form of non-Catholics, by their consistent laxity and failure to shepherd the people present, failing to care who it is that receives our Lord, purposely avoiding their charge of competency to teach, and reinforce Church teachings.

In the Mass, the priest is responsible for those present, to inform them and to be vigilant.

[Alex Murphy]

As a strongly pro-life, Trinitarian Christian I would hate to get in the way of baby-killers and sodomites!

Because we all know that no pro-abort Democrat Catholic politician has ever received communion, or maybe even a funeral mass from the hand of a Catholic Bishop.

Ever.

[CynicalBear]

A picture is worth a thousand words!

[nickcarraway]

Remember when President Clinton received Holy Communion in Africa, and said he knew more about Catholic teaching than the Pope or the Bishop.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Very rude. But then it was Clinton.

[longfellowsmuse]

I find it odd that people who do not believe in the real presence of the Eucharist would want to partake... what is the point? What is the feeling of entitlement? Look at me I can ingest a piece of meaningless bread? Is it to mock those who do believe?

I have wondered if perhaps it is a feeling of feeling left out by having to stay in the pew while others go up to receive. Priests however will give you a blessing if you approach them with your arms crossed in front of you. Incidentally many Catholics do this when they feel they are not in a state of grace to receive.

[longfellowsmuse]

Yes and what did Jesus say about him? It would have been better for him had he never been born. Clearly, we would all rather not be referred to in this manner by God.