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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Rules RE: Protestants receiving Holy Communion? Mary Ann Sunday, March 27, 2005

Question:

A Catholic friend of mine, whose husband is Protestant, is having her husband going to Church with her, where he recieves Communion without going to Confession. He has no desire to join the Catholic Church. She is doing this in an attempt to save their marriage. What are the liturgical rules concerning this?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Mary Ann,

Actually this man should not be receiving Holy Communion at all since he is not Catholic, it doesn't matter whether or not he has gone to confession.  This doesn't apply since he is not in full communion with the Catholic Church.  This is found in Canon Law, n.844.

So when they go to a Catholic church together, when communion time comes he should simply remain in the pew while she goes forward to receive.

I hope all works out,

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.