|
Hi, Dave —
Thanks for your question,
I'll answer your second question
first. Only Roman Catholics, Eastern
Orthodox, or members
of a Church with valid Apostolic
Succession may receive Communion
in a Catholic Church.
That's according to our Catholic
Canon law. By the same token, we
encourage members
of those Churches listed above to
follow the directive of their bishops
on this matter.
Members of Protestant communities,
are not allowed to receive Communion,
but are welcome to attend Mass and
join us in prayer and the celebration
of the Liturgy of the Word. If someone:
- is in danger of death
- expresses a desire to receive Communion
and
- expresses the same faith in the
Eucharist that the Church professes
then that person can receive the
Sacrament.
As to Confession, one cannot
receive partial absolution. You can't
go to Confession and confess and
repent only part of your sins.
Technically, a person who is in a
Protestant community, is in material
heresy, and therefore sin. They may
not be culpable, but they are objectively in
heresy and schism so if you go to
Confession without repenting of the
schism and heresy, then the absolution
is not valid.
The good news is that you didn't
know your situation was sin. So in
your case, it is possible that you
received valid absolution although
the sacrament was administered illicitly.
If you are a Protestant of any
kind, you need to enter the Church
to continue to receive the Sacraments.
If you are an Orthodox Christian,
you must follow the guidance of your
own Church regarding the Sacraments
in the Catholic Church. We have no
canon laws against you receiving
Communion but your bishops will probably
forbid it.
Of course, if someone is in danger
of death, all canon law takes a back
seat. A priest may hear your Confession,
anoint you, and give you the Eucharist.
If you are interested in becoming
a Catholic so that you may receive
the Body and Blood of our Lord in
the One Church Jesus founded, we would encourage you to consider buying a cheap copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church to learn everything we believe as faithful Catholics.
Also browse the site's knowledge base of questions and answers.
If you have further questions, please
feel free to write.
John
|
