Catholic Communion question...

[kblackstone444]

My sister is getting married in June. At her wedding, we will be taking Communion, as part if the ceremony. The wedding will be in a Protestant Church, by a Protestant minister. My entire family is Protestant, and my entire family will be taking Communion. All her friends are as well. My StepDad and his Mother are Catholic, and will be taking Communion with us. My stepdaughter will be in the wedding party (Flower Girl, along with my niece). My stepdaughter is Catholic and she had her first Catholic Communion last May. My question is, is she allowed to take Communion in a Protestant Church, according to the Catholic Church? I know that, as Protestants, we're not allowed to have Communion in a Catholic Church. Does it work that way in reverse or would it be okay because she's had Communion before, understands Communion and because it's part of a Wedding Ceremony?

[xekomaya]

You should ask her priest, but no. Catholics cannot receive communion in a Protestant church. It's not exactly the same rules in reverse - The Catholic Church would not consider it a valid Eucharist and it would be a grave matter.

[Limabean1975]

Hmmm. It's been a long time since I've practiced Catholicism, but I recall doing this a few times and the thought was that a Catholic *can* take Communion in a Protestant church but it's not "the Eucharist" ...just a piece of bread/wafer in a ceremony.

I could be totally wrong, I am not up on these things.

[Lollybrat]

Catholics are not allowed to take communion in Protestant churches. For one thing, Catholics and Protestants have very different beliefs about what communion is. Catholics believe in the Chirst's Real Presence in the Eucharist (that the bread and wine actually become the Body and Blood of Christ), while most Protestants believe that communion is a symbolic act. Additionally, Catholics see communion as a public assertion that the communicant is a member of that particular faith community and believes what that church teaches.

Adults (like your stepdad and his mother) sometimes choose to disregard these rules, maybe because they do not know or fully understand them or maybe because they do not agree with them. But your stepdaughter is a young child whose faith needs to be nurtured and protected. At this age (I'm guessing 8 or 9, since she made her First Holy Communion last May), it can easy for her to get confused. She may not understand the difference between Catholic and Protestant communion. She is not old enough to make a thoughful and informed choice in this matter.

I suggest that you not allow her to take communion in the wedding ceremony. It is a violation of the faith she is being raised in. If she does not understand why she cannot, you can have her talk to a priest or to her religious education teacher.

[Rosehip]

She should not take communion (I'm by no means an expert, but this is my understanding, and the practice I've generally observed over the years). I've also been in several weddings in which members of the wedding who were not of that faith simply didn't take communion. It was not a big deal. Either they remained seated, or if they walked up with the others, they simply crossed their arms in front of their chest when they reached the priest.

[chfriend]

The general answer is no, Catholics do not take communion at a non-Catholic church.

It's worth checking to find out if a dispensation is available. The family's pastor can answer that question.

[Bluegoat]

My understanding from reading the various rules on this is that there is no way a RC can take communion in a Protestant church. Priests cannot give a dispensation for it, nor can Bishops.

Although I would hesitate to say most Protestant churches don't believe in the real presence (which Roman Catholics seem to claim often) the Catholic church does not believe any other churches except the Orthodox have valid Holy Orders, so the Eucharist in those churches is not really a Eucharist.

By receiving, the Catholic would be in a way "misleading" the Protestants into thinking that their Eucharist was considered to have the same standing as the RC one. Additionally, it is one of the most holy ceremonies of the RC church, so to participate in a non-valid version of it would seem disrespectful to the meaning of the Eucharist.

I agree that the adults are responsible for themselves, though it might be nice if someone said, "You know, we won't be offended if you don't receive, we understand the reasons and respect them." Sometimes I think that is the reason people receive even if they know they aren't supposed to - they feel like they are turning up their nose at hospitality.

[xekomaya]

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

I agree that the adults are responsible for themselves, though it might be nice if someone said, "You know, we won't be offended if you don't receive, we understand the reasons and respect them." Sometimes I think that is the reason people receive even if they know they aren't supposed to - they feel like they are turning up their nose at hospitality.

That would probably be really nice! I accompany DH & his family to Episcopalian mass once a year and it IS very gracious of everyone to invite me and let me know I'm welcome to receive. I always feel I'm being rude or a little snobbish when I have to refuse.

[chfriend]

I agree that I have not heard of a dispensation for a member of a wedding party to take communion at a Protestant wedding.

However, I would not presurme to limit whatever dispensation a bishop might give.

It is perfectly permissible for a Catholic to request a dispensation whenever she feels a need.

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by chfriend

I agree that I have not heard of a dispensation for a member of a wedding party to take communion at a Protestant wedding.

However, I would not presurme to limit whatever dispensation a bishop might give.

It is perfectly permissible for a Catholic to request a dispensation whenever she feels a need.

That doesn't mean the Bishop is free to give it. He has to abide by the rules for such things as well. There are guidelines for allowing non-Catholics to take Communion in an RC church (nearly impossible,) for example, the Bishop could only work within those, not change or ignore them. My understanding is there is no allowable way or circumstance for a Catholic to take Communion in a Protestant church.

[chfriend]

I'm afraid I wouldn't presume to speak for the Bishop.

[Lollybrat]

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

I agree that the adults are responsible for themselves, though it might be nice if someone said, "You know, we won't be offended if you don't receive, we understand the reasons and respect them." Sometimes I think that is the reason people receive even if they know they aren't supposed to - they feel like they are turning up their nose at hospitality.

I suppose this is part of the problem. In my experience, it is often an issue of poor catachisis. Many Catholics have not been properly taught the reasons for Church laws and Traditions. Therefore, they do not understand the spiritual and practical consequences of breaking rules they do not see as really important. Additionally, many Catholics who do know the rules have not been taught how to explain or defend Catholic beliefs and practices. As a result, they may sucumb to pressure to receive communion in these situations, perhaps due to reasons of hospitality.

My in-laws are Protestant and we sometimes attend their services for family events or holidays. There can be a lot of pressure to take communion with them. I often have to explain that my faith does not allow this and why.