| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Holy Communion | Father Taurasi | Friday, June 24, 2005 |
Question: Dear Jacob, I hope and pray you are well. This post is not necessarily for publication, but I wanted to let you know that the Orthodox are now allowed to receive Holy Communion at Mass. This, of course, was approved by the Holy See under the guidelines for the reception of Holy Communion by non-Catholics. As you know, there are some very rare occasions when a non-Catholic can receive Holy Communion. An example of this would be during times of persecution,war, national disasters, etc. when the non-Catholic is unable to avail himself of his own minister. In these types of circumstances, the non Catholic Christian must have the same Eucharist faith as we do. In other words, he must believe in the Real and True Presence of Christ, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Most Blessed Sacrament. Needless to say, with the exception of some high Anglicans or high Lutherans this would exclude most Protestants. In the case of the Orthodox the policy is different. If they attend a Catholic Mass, and are regular communicates in the Orthodox Church, and if of their own volition they approach the Catholic priest for Holy Communion, they may receive. This same policy applies to the Polish National Churches. Orthodox bishops, however, are not too pleased with this policy. The Catholic document states, that while members of the Orthodox Churches should follow the sacramental discipline of their own churches in this matter, they would not be refused Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. In the same document we find that Catholics who attend Divine Liturgy may also receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church, and may even approach them for the other sacraments. However, the documents states that most Orthodox priests will not allow Catholics to partake of the Sacred Mysteries. These guidelines are now found in most diocesan directories for ecumenical relations. Several years ago, when reading about this new policy, I remember seeing the footnotes from both the documents of the Holy See and canon law. Since it is an approved policy by the Holy See, the US bishops have allow this information to be printed in the Missalette under the "Guidelines for the reception of Holy Communion." In my opinion, this policy does not mean to imply that the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church are in full communion with each other. However, as you know, they do have valid sacraments, and there is already substantial agreements in matters of faith and morals. Rather, I see it as a individual response to certain pastoral situations which do occur from time to time between members of the Orthodox Churches and our own. Well, Jacob, I just thought this information would be helpful. Oremus pro invicem! God Bless You, Father Taurasi |
||
| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Father,Thank you for the help, and I agree with your other comments. I was not aware of these changes. If you could Father please write back and post the name of the document or year so that I can verify, since otherwise I am uncomfortable putting this post up on the site without being able to verify what's been said.Thank you again,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. |
||