10 Sins or less...

although the SBC's Baptist Faith and Message says that baptism is prerequisite to church membership and the Lord's Supper. However, baptists have always been more ecumenical in their understanding of baptism, since they'll accept any adult baptism from another Christian church (and I've seen something somewhere that said that nearly all SBC ministers allow Christians who aren't church members to take communion).

But for baptists, communion is a tradition that is largely symbolic, rather than sacramental as it is in the Catholic Church. So it makes sense for Catholics not to offer communion to non- Catholics because the Catholic sacrament of communion is an actual and continual renewal of Christ's presence in the Church, which most protestants do not recognize. On the other hand, it also makes sense for baptists not to offer communion to people who hadn't been baptized into the church (such as cradle- Catholics), because they don't believe that the eucharist, itself, is a sacramental accomplishing of communion with Christ.

camcgee®

All-In [28802]

TigerPulse: 100%

Posts: 58393

Joined: 11/14/03

Here's what the US Bishops say about it:

Sep 18, 2013, 1:58 PM

Based on this, and my understanding of what communion is for protestants and for Catholics, I would tell him that you don't take communion because you're a member of a different church, and that, while you agree with the Catholic Church on the things that are most important, for you to take communion would mean you agree with everything the Catholic Church says (that you were literally "in communion" with the Catholic Church). Obviously saying that might require you to tell him what you don't agree with, but you could also look at that as an opportunity to talk seriously with him about Christ, and about the protestant belief that communion is a symbol of Christ's presence in the church, not that it is a sacrament that actually accomplishes it.

While you were doing that, you could put your differences in the context of communion: that you believe everybody ought to be in communion, and that you pray for that, but that there are some important differences that would keep you from becoming Catholic.

For Catholics

As Catholics, we fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when we receive Holy Communion. We are encouraged to receive Communion devoutly and frequently. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, participants should not be conscious of grave sin and normally should have fasted for one hour. A person who is conscious of grave sin is not to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord without prior sacramental confession except for a grave reason where there is no opportunity for confession. In this case, the person is to be mindful of the obligation to make an act of perfect contrition, including the intention of confessing as soon as possible (canon 916). A frequent reception of the Sacrament of Penance is encouraged for all.

For our fellow Christians

We welcome our fellow Christians to this celebration of the Eucharist as our brothers and sisters. We pray that our common baptism and the action of the Holy Spirit in this Eucharist will draw us closer to one another and begin to dispel the sad divisions which separate us. We pray that these will lessen and finally disappear, in keeping with Christ's prayer for us "that they may all be one" (Jn 17:21).

Because Catholics believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life, and worship, members of those churches with whom we are not yet fully united are ordinarily not admitted to Holy Communion. Eucharistic sharing in exceptional circumstances by other Christians requires permission according to the directives of the diocesan bishop and the provisions of canon law (canon 844 § 4). Members of the Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Polish National Catholic Church are urged to respect the discipline of their own Churches. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 § 3).

For those not receiving Holy Communion

All who are not receiving Holy Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

For non-Christians

We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus Christ. While we cannot admit them to Holy Communion, we ask them to offer their prayers for the peace and the unity of the human family.

flag link

military_tech

thumb_down

thumb_up

i know i can count on the board for sound religious advice.

Not catholic...not qualified to answer even comically.

Ooh... I got one.

I got another....tell him...

the problem is that the priest seems like he wants no part

Yeah, I'd keep my young son away from him then.***

my wife said something about the boys being alter boys

Re: i know i can count on the board for sound religious advice.

Tell him they use cheap assed wine.***

tell him drinking is a sin

So Catholics don't let Protestants take communion?

i was thinking about just going up there and starting to

At my friends Catholic wedding he encouraged his non-

not sure you should if you're not Catholic

Correct. One of the facets of the Chuch that does nothing

baptists will pretty much let any Christian take communion..

tell him you were an All-American football player,

Cereal answer

thanks. had not thought of that. my wife and older son (who

My wife (and by default) my daughter (for the time being)

You take communion before ball games.

Like Soylet Green, a communion wafer is a people.***

Here's what the US Bishops say about it:

i married a catholic. in a catholic church. and my kids are

I would say you should just go ahead and join

once he finds out i'm a lawyer and thinks i can write him a

The last time I took communion the wafer burst into flames

Where is the Coot Minister when you need him?!

he's not quite as ecumenical as I am on this stuff

speaking of which, whenever the priest sprinkles the holy

Re: speaking of which, whenever the priest sprinkles the holy

oh, there's plenty of guild in the catholic church. in fact,

TigerBoard POTD