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Original poster

Can an Anglo Catholic take communion in Catholic Mass and vice-versa?

42 replies

Loobingler · 27/01/2014 19:14

I'm Anglo Catholic and just wondering whether I would be allowed. I'm not planning to, just curious!

OP posts:
Original poster
Loobingler · 27/01/2014 19:15

We also believe in transubstantiation btw .

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 27/01/2014 19:16

No: you have to be Catholic to receive in an RC church.

But I think it's OK for RC to receive in CofE (whether high, low or middling). Whether they would want to is a separate question.

Ragwort · 27/01/2014 19:18

What happens if you just go up to receive communion though? No one actually asks if you are RC do they? I had no idea of this rule and took communion in an RC Church Blush. Most Anglican churches are happy for anyone to receive communion in their church.

Roisin · 27/01/2014 19:24

Some priests would allow you, but it would be polite to ask.

(Is transubstantiation widely believed amongst anglo Catholics? I didn't know that. I know the communion is very precious and highly revered, etc. by my ac friends, but I didn't know their beliefs went that far.)

LondonBus · 27/01/2014 19:33

I once asked our parish priest this on behalf of a friend.

He went bright red and his jowels wobbled and he said "No, no, no!"

I didn't dare ask after that if Catholics could take communion in CofE..but he did tell me he took communion offered by someone from another faith and "it did no good at all" because it wan't properly...um I have no idea what the word is .......

If push came to shove, I would tell my Catholic DC that if they took communion in an Anglican church it wouldn't do them any harm, but it wouldn't do them much good either.

Very open to be told other wise by Anglicans or Catholics.

Original poster
Loobingler · 27/01/2014 19:36

Yes, Anglo Catholics believe in transubstantiation and we have a daily Eucharist at our Church.

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 27/01/2014 19:41

No, Anglocatholics as a group do not belive in transubstantiation, though individuals may do so. And like-minded individuals may end up in same church (you often have to travel to reach serious smells and bells services).

Prayers for the Pope do tend to put tilt lights on with visitors from other those of CofE.

OddBoots · 27/01/2014 19:44

Before dh and I married he was Catholic, we went to some classes for 'mixed marriage' couples.

I was told I wasn't allowed to take Catholic communion and that dh shouldn't take communion in my church, not because it would do any harm but because it wouldn't be polite given that his church couldn't return the hospitality.

We're both CofE now anyway.

LondonBus · 27/01/2014 19:53

A bit off topic, but the same priest also told me it would be polite to ask the priest of an orthodox church if it was OK to take communion in their church before doing so, although it would be seen as fine by the RC church.

OddBoots I think they say, once baptised a Catholic, always a Catholic, no matter what you practice. Wink

minniemagoo · 27/01/2014 19:57

The belief in transubstantiation is irrelevant, it is only 1 of many requirements to take communion in the RC church. You must believe and practise their Catechism part of which includes the belief that they and they alone are the one true apostolic church. There is a dispensation that can be granted in specific circumstance incl if the recipient is dying.

Ragwort · 27/01/2014 21:44

In the faith I practice (Methodist) the Minister always says something like 'everyone is welcome to receive communion, whether confirmed or not, whether a member of this faith, another faith or no faith'. Smile

Please can someone explain 'transubstantiation' - am I the only person who doesn't know what it means? Blush

meditrina · 27/01/2014 22:06

Transubstantiation refers to the change that takes place during the sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist). This change involves the substances of bread and wine being turned miraculously into the substance of Christ himself. The underlying essence of these elements is changed, and they retain only the appearance, taste, and texture of bread and wine. Catholic doctrine holds that the Godhead is indivisible, so every particle or drop thus changed is wholly identical in substance with the divinity, body, and blood of the Savior.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 27/01/2014 22:11

Who would know? I am RC but have taken Communion in a Cof E service. Many Catholics I know (me included) find it very hard to REALLY believe in transubstantiation. Never heard the bit about believing you belong to the true apostolic church either.

HavantGuard · 27/01/2014 22:13

'Never heard the bit about believing you belong to the true apostolic church either.'

Have you never been to mass Confused

It's in the creed.

minniemagoo · 27/01/2014 22:14

another it's even in the RC creed!

Viviennemary · 27/01/2014 22:18

Absolutely not. Unless a person has made a first communion in a Catholic church they may not receive communion in a catholic church. This has always been the rule as far as I'm aware.

meditrina · 27/01/2014 22:18

"I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church" is part of the Nicene creed also used by protestants. "Catholic" and "Roman Catholic" are not synonyms.

NearTheWindmill · 27/01/2014 22:19

But the prayer in my anglo catholic church says and believe in one catholic apostolic church.

OddBoots · 27/01/2014 22:30

catholic (with a small 'c') just means universal, as far as I know.

meditrina · 27/01/2014 22:36

All CofE churches use a creed which includes holy catholic church. The various versions are on the CofE website. The Nicene creed is the ancient one which is the same as that used by RC church.

anothernumberone · 27/01/2014 22:43

We'll I grew up a catholic and never believed in transubstantiation but took communion anyway. I still do if I go to mass it is my favourite bit even though I doubt I am what anyone could call catholic anyone. I am confident I am probably going to hell. I remember the president of Ireland communion in a church if Ireland church and got plenty of stick for it. Hmm

anothernumberone · 27/01/2014 22:44

Took communion she took communion

BackforGood · 27/01/2014 22:52

Like ragwort at mychurch they say "anyone who loves the Lord is welcome at his table".
Cant help thinking this is more inline with the response Jesus would have given had he been asked.
I too have had communion in a Catholic church - I was invited to the service and nobody announced you had to be a card carrying catholic to receive communion so I juat assumed all were welcome.

HoneyandRum · 28/01/2014 05:57

My comment will be quick as I have to get the kids up and to school and then won't be back till after sports tonight.

Just wanted to explain that Catholics aren't being "meanies" because other Christians are not invited to Holy Communion. It is because we fundamentally believe different things about what is happening at this time during the Mass. If you read chapter 6 of John this is what our faith and belief hinges upon. Jesus explains again and again that his followers will have to eat his REAL flesh and drink his REAL blood:

"For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in that person." John 6: 55-56

This causes consternation amongst the Jews and among Jesus' own disciples. "After hearing it, many of his followers said, 'This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?" John 6:60

"After this, many of his disciples went away and accompanied him no more." John 6:66

This is the only time in the Gospels when disciples leave Jesus because of doctrine. This is also the time when scripture mentions that Jesus says Judas is turning away from him.

For the first 1500 years of Christian history (so 3/4 of the history of the church) all Christians believed this. If they did not, church councils and teachers going all the way back to the apostles made it clear that it was heresy not to believe this fundamental article of faith. Since the Reformation some Christians have chosen not to believe that the bread and wine became the literal Body and Blood of Christ. Catholics continue to believe (along with the Orthodox and other ancient churches such as the Copts) that during the Mass the bread and wine become Jesus and that's why we call it the Real Presence.

If you go into a Catholic church you will always see a lamp lit next to the Tabernacle (except on Good Friday when the Tabernacle is empty). This is to show that Jesus is present in what was the bread and wine and is now reserved in the Tabernacle. This explains why there is a sacred and reverent atmosphere in Catholic churches. This is why Catholics kneel and prostrate themselves during liturgy and prayer because we believe Jesus is truly present, not just spiritually.

For this reason First Holy Communion is a Sacrament in the church which those who receive for the first time must be carefully prepared for so they understand exactly what we believe is happening. To come and receive without believing is therefore considered sacrilegious to Catholics. There may be Catholic commentators on here that do not believe this, but it is fundamental of being Catholic and something Catholics have been martyred for through the ages.

I am not trying to convince anyone of the truth of this doctrine - all I want to explain is what Catholics (and Orthodox and others) believe.

NearTheWindmill · 28/01/2014 07:58

Thank you Honeyandrum. I think it's a little more metaphorical and as an Anglo Catholic believe there is one very good God and that Christianity in all its forms turns on forgiveness. I don't think that God would mind if communion was taken in good spirit and if it was done as a bit of a lark or out of ignorance I think that God would forgive. If I didn't believe that then I don't think I could be a Christian.