Can I take communion in CofE church if I was confirmed in RC church?

[goldenchandelier]

Going to a new CofE church for Christmas.
Haven't taken communion for a long time and very nervous don't know why. I was confirmed in a RC church.

Have been going to CofE church as dd was christened there due to dh being CofE and it being a simpler process for us for dd to be CofE. I was raised going to a RC church and only really know their customs.
Sorry for any ignorance.

I thought RC church didn’t allow you to take Protestant communion? Obviously not a problem if you’re not a practicing RC.

Cross post with @isittheholidaysyet

No...please don't .
You will burn in hell!!
Silly man made rules!
Take communion when and where you want !

@roisinagusniamh - not particularly helpful if the op is a practising RC.

I'm not and haven't been for over 40 years. I still had a bit of a wobble when offered CoE communion in a rather odd situation.

I am not practicing RC or anything but was brought up catholic.
I don’t take communion in any church but I would I wanted to.
They are man made rules!
If you are religious and actually believe it’s the body and blood of Christ then you can take communion wherever it’s offered.
As if Jesus himself is judging you !!
He’s not but people are , sadly.

Trending I have only ever responded to whatever the Vicar says when giving communion with an Amen. I was taught this during my Confirmation classes. I have taken communion in many different churches and cathedrals, and have never noticed anyone responding differently - apart from those who say nothing. I think you're fine!

I don’t take communion in any church but I would I wanted to. They are man made rules

And that is your view but not particularly helpful when the op obviously wants to comply with CoE rules. It is not clear if she feels the same way about RC rules.

If you are religious and actually believe it’s the body and blood of Christ then you can take communion wherever it’s offered.

As far as I am aware, the protestant religions do not believe this, which is why RCs are not allowed take protestant communion. I think protestants are only allowed catholic communion in extreme circumstances e.g. about to die (Catholic, rather than Protestant rule).

Personally, I don't subscribe to any of it but do think it is important to respect the beliefs of those who do. I assume the op is coming from a position of respect for beliefs too.

Sure how on earth would they know!!?? My Jewish cousins from the US once came to mass with us (Ireland) and decided it would be hilarious to go and get communion (they were 12, 15 and 16!! We thought it was too funny!! Still makes me laugh 😂

@Lipperfromchipper - Sure how on earth would they know!!??

They wouldn't. It depends on whether you want to respect the rules/beliefs of the church you are visiting. If you respect them, you won't take communion if you are not meant to. If you don't respect them, you will do what you want🤷‍♀️.

It’s not actually about respecting people’s beliefs, it’s more about trying to understand why christians go along with a set of man made rules!
So what is the point of believing , following Jesus’, etc.,if man made rules are more important?

It’s not actually about respecting people’s beliefs

It is about respecting people's beliefs.

Religious people tend to believe that these rules are passed down by God, Jesus, Allah, Krishna etc. You may not believe that. I may not believe that. However, we can choose whether or not to respect that others believe that.

@roisinagusniamh Well said. All Christians believe in the same Christ. Shouldn't be put off by human rules.

I was going to say that the RC does not generally allow catholics to take communion in a CofE church as catholics believe that they are literally having the body and blood of Christ whereas CofE recognises as symbolic if that makes sense?

I'm cCofE and that's what my catholic colleagues tell me!

Thing is, Jesus left behind a community (A church), with leaders, to whom he gave authority to decide how that community worked. Who could decide which writings were His Word. And once collected, how those writings (the bible) should he interpreted.
So those 'man-made' rules are not man-made they are Jesus-made, through his church which is his body.
And they are there to help us follow jesus

(Yes, we also have some man-made rules as well. But they also help us follow Jesus, or help us live together in good order, so we can follow Jesus.)

@Meadowland - Well said. All Christians believe in the same Christ. Shouldn't be put off by human rules.

As far as I know, Christ was big on respect for other people. Why would you then deliberately offend someone by doing something that contravenes their belief system for no reason other than to prove a point?

Obviously I'm not referring to parts of certain belief systems that affect others, such as the belief homosexual practice is wrong or contraception is wrong etc.

However, taking communion in a Catholic Church if you are not Catholic and you know it goes against the Catholic belief system does not seem like a very Christian act. It seems like a bloody-minded attempt to prove a point that you think their beliefs are wrong.

A priest once told me Catholic's can take communion in other churches (he had in the past out of respect when meeting with other church leaders) but that it won't do you any good as it's not the real deal

whyamidoingthis
Do you really believe that Jesus meant for people to take the Bible literally?
Do you not think he would think those notions are outdated today?
What did he/ his appointed leaders say about Gay people in the Bible then?

@roisinagusniamh - I'm an atheist so I don't believe any of it.

I think if beliefs do no harm to anyone else, then I should respect them. Restricting Catholic communion to catholics does no harm. Banning gay marriage, contraception, IVF, abortion etc does harm to others so I will argue against those beliefs and campaign to ensure they are available to those who want them.

@TrendingLater saying "Amen" is fine. There is a line in the prayer book - possibly the BCP but I remember the 1922 version - which specifically states "the communicant says 'Amen' and then receives"

(which means I get irrationally edgy when someone says it afterwards...)

@whyamidoingthis. I respect your point of view. However I believe differently. I believe Christ welcomes everybody into the church.

@Meadowland - However I believe differently. I believe Christ welcomes everybody into the church.

Which church? There are multiple Christian denominations. Why do you think your belief system overrides the belief system of members of other denominations and should apply to their church?

In my local c of e church you can

@whyamidoingthis I don't.
Every Christian has a different take on things. No one professes to be 'right'. That just happens to be my belief.
Not sure why it bothers you if you are an atheist.

@Meadowland - I don't

You stated that people Shouldn't be put off by human rules when agreeing with a previous poster who advocated anyone taking communion anywhere they wanted. That suggests to me that you believe your belief that Christ welcomes everybody into the church should override Catholic belief that only those who believe in transubstantiaton, and who is a member of the Catholic Church who has made their communion, should receive what they believe to be a sacrament. If that is not what you meant, then please clarify.

Every Christian has a different take on things.

Yes. Which is why I think it is important to recognise that and to respect the beliefs others have (within reason).

No one professes to be 'right'.

You obviously weren't brought up Catholic then

Not sure why it bothers you if you are an atheist.

It doesn't bother me. I think it's an interesting discussion about respect for differing beliefs.

Slightly off topic, but this reminds me of the time my late Mum came to church with us (perhaps a Mothering Sunday service?) She'd been brought up a Methodist and had even less idea than me about the form and order of a trad C of E service. She was elderly and quite hard of hearing and when it came to 'The Peace' being observed, she misheard and was happily replying to everyone around 'pleased to meet you' instead of 'peace be with you'!