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.

Yes, thank you for the link.
I do believe that many Catholics struggle to believe in transubstantiation. I certainly do.
And (I may as well go for a full flaming here) I also believe that homosexuals should be married and there should be women priests.
I think the Catholic Church has for far too long isolated itself and shrouded itself in "mystery" We have a really great Pope at the moment, who I believe would like to transform the Catholic church but he is tied by the Vatican. Even our priest feels the Vatican should go !
Having said all that though , at grass roots level , we do great things for those suffering here and abroad , and that is another reason I choose to belong.
Off to bed now, but happy to continue discussion.

As a non-believer, I think it is possibly easier for me to accept transubstantiation as I don't believe in any of it so it's no more far-fetched for me than the existence of a deity.

I absolutely agree with you re gay marriage, women priests etc. The Catholic Church originally had married priests but brought in celibacy for economic reasons. If there was no family, there was no cost of maintaining that family once the priest died.

I think the Catholic Church has for far too long isolated itself and shrouded itself in "mystery"

Which worked very well in the past when the masses were uneducated and downtrodden and the wealthy could expand their power through the church. They need to modernise and accept those tactics no longer work.

Meadowland,
I think your beliefs represents those of many catholics I know.
I think the c church has to be very careful concerning many issues, especially those regarding homosexuality.
whyamidoingthis
I am not disrespecting people who believe in transubstantiation, I am saying I don't believe that any catholic actually believes it because it is a ridiculous notion.

@roisinagusniamh - I am not disrespecting people who believe in transubstantiation

You stated: I meant believing in transubstantiation is ridiculous. You also stated: it is a ridiculous notion. That sounds pretty disrespectful of those who believe it. It is a basic tenet of catholicism so I'm sure there are many who do believe it.

You also haven't explained why it is any more ridiculous than the notion of an all-seeing, all-knowing deity.

I don’t believe in an all-seeing,all-knowing deity either.

I don’t believe in an all-seeing,all-knowing deity either.

But you're not ridiculing the fact that Catholics and other religious people do. So why is transubstantiation ridiculous but a deity isn't?

It's all ridiculous.
I don't believe any of it.
I think people just need to be part of a community or because they were brought up that way and have never questioned it.

I agree that most people who are religious believe because they were brought up in it and because they get something out of it. However, I think if they are doing no harm, we should respect their beliefs, just as I expect my lack of belief to be respected.

Your posts are measured and thougtful @whyamidoingthis, and it is good to discuss my belief with atheists like yourself. And yes I totally respect your lack of belief.
@roisinagusniamh There is a world of difference between saying "It's all ridiculous"(fact) and "I believe it's all ridiculous"(opinion) and that is why unfortunately discussion with you is not possible.
I would never say "I know there is a God"(arrogant) but I do say "I believe in God" (open to discussion). That is why it is called Faith and not Knowledge. Ultimately nobody KNOWS what's out there (if anything).
Not sure about the argument of having faith because I was brought up a Catholic. Faith was never forced on us, and my siblings were brought up exactly the same way and no longer believe. I also "decided" not to believe for a while, but was miserable, so came back.

That’s ok meadowland.
You don’t need to discuss anything with me.
But it’s very interesting that you say you came back to the church because you were miserable . So perhaps, you needed the security of the community. And ‘decided’ to have faith again.
I find the whole concept of faith odd anyway.
Of course it wasn’t forced upon me or my siblings. That’s not possible!
The people I know who still practice do it because of habit, tradition, insecurity etc....

Not sure about the argument of having faith because I was brought up a Catholic.

Sorry. I wasn't terribly clear. When I say most people who believe do so because they were brought up in it, I mean that If they believe, they are more likely to choose the faith they know as it is familiar, rather than going off, examining the pros and cons of each faith and then choosing. Obviously some people change faith but it is less common.

Being brought up in a faith certainly doesn't mean you will retain it. I only know one atheist who was brought up as an atheist. People won't retain faith unless it gives them something. That can range from a feeling of community coupled with a vague belief right up to a deep and enduring belief and faith.

Our, now adult , children were brought up to make up their own minds.
When in Ireland, they went to mass with my parents, etc., They went to a C of E school here.
I even offered them the option to join a Saturday school for communion prep.
They are all non believing, kind , moral young people with no 'faith' but strong characters who can voice their opinions without offending (unlike their mother...at times 😀)

PS; The Saturday catholic school didn't appeal to them due to it clashing with football, dance etc.
You can't pass on faith if you don't believe yourself!
Most people go along with it due to not being bothered, not wanting to upset parents, etc.
I know few or no genuine believers!

They are all non believing, kind , moral young people with no 'faith' but strong characters who can voice their opinions without offending (unlike their mother...at times 😀)

I think people brought up like your, and my, dc are much better able to articulate their opinions in a more objective way than those of us who were brought up in a faith, because they have no skin in the game. My brother, who is also an atheist, is very negative about the Catholic Church but he endured a lot more at the hands of the brothers in school than I did from the nuns. The nuns I had in school were generally pretty nice, with only an occasional nut job. As the school was very solidly middle class, there was none of the negative treatment that was often meted out in more working class girls' schools.

The brothers, on the other hand, were much more equal opportunity in terms of their abuse. Corporal punishment was the norm, with some of them obviously enjoying it. My brother also had an overly friendly priest to deal with when he was an alter boy. Nothing extreme or overtly sexual, but enough to make him uncomfortable and, looking back as an adult, it was inappropriate. However, as a child he only expressed it as not liking Fr X.

Absolutely agree that people won't retain their faith unless it gives them something. Why else would we set ourselves up to be ridiculed ??!!
As you say, what it gives people varies hugely. For me personally, without wanting to sound like a cliche (can't find the accent), but can't think how else to describe it, it gives me a sense of peace.

it gives me a sense of peace.

That's great. In some ways, I think people with faith are lucky as they have that automatic feeling of belonging and sense of peace. Those of us without faith, need to work harder to find something to replace it.

I'm not saying those with faith don't have struggles, but there is something identifiable for them to grasp and return to, whereas those of us without faith have to find something else. Personally, I believe in the goodness of people and the power of the earth. I think we need to work together to create a sustainable future for all.

My marriage,family, friends community, my job and yoga all give me a sense of peace.

I thought it was more of an issue the other way round ... RC not accepting confirmed C of E (etc) for communion in RC churches? I also thought children of RC parent(s) had to be christened in RC as it doesnt count in C of E (etc). I am prob showing my ignorance.

I have to say catholicism gives me a sense of un ease....not just due to its reputation of cruelty in the Industrial schools and the Maggie laundries. It's also about the hierarchy ,the power of the church world wide, the Opus Dei, the Santa Mari (cult) it all just doesn't sit comfortably with me.

I was educated by kind, caring nuns, my brothers,by the Jesuits...no trauma for any of my siblings, that I know of , but, I just never really believed any of it and even asked my mother when I was 7 and about to make my first holy communion "how could it be the body of christ?" She made a negative comment about my teacher not preparing me properly , but, couldn't explain it herself.
I stopped going to mass after my confirmation because I had had enough of it all and wanted a lie in on a Sunday morning.

@roisinagusniamh - I do agree with you re the Catholic institution. It's a very wealthy and powerful institution. I also think it is inherently misogynistic. Obviously not all members are but I think those who aren't rarely rise to any position of power.

Hepsibar, the RC church recognises CofE baptism as well as a lot of other denominations. As long as it involves water and baptising in the name of the father, son and Holy Spirit it’s probably valid.

I also thought children of RC parent(s) had to be christened in RC as it doesnt count in C of E (etc).

In a mixed marriage, the catholic party used to have to promise to raise the children as Catholics. That’s gone now. I think they still have to promise to do their best though.

When I married, almost 30 years ago, we did it in a C of E church.
My mother wanted me to get a catholic dispensation. I looked into it, to keep her happy, and discovered that I could be granted one if I promised to bring any children of the marriage up as catholics so I didn’t bother seeking the dispensation and was told that in that case my marriage won’t be recognised by the catholic church and therefore my children would be considered to be illegitimate .
The poor bastards 🙀

I was brought up C of E. Probably wouldn't describe myself as religious now. But I feel confirmed with it all as I was brought up with it and wouldn't rule out going back.

But the religious school we had the option of for my child was Catholic. I ummed and ahhed but didn't put it down in the end. There are quite a few things that don't sit right with me about Catholicism. Even if a lot of the beliefs are more historical

I don't think your marriage would have been recognised anyway @roisinagusniamh if you did it in the CoE church? It was a dispensation to marry a non-catholic but I think you would still have had to marry in a catholic church?