“D” all of the above. A and B obviously should not receive. But C we know his physical position (kneeling), but not his positions on anything else. Let’s say he’s anti-abortion but pro-choice because he’s a modern, liberal Catholic. Therefore, he should not receive Communion, either.
But then again, who are we to judge? I can not read their souls. So all three can receive. God can take care of them.
If you’re in California, it would be C. Since Cardinal Mahoney said that he would give Kerry Communion and won’t deny it also for people wearing rainbow sash.
My sons were refused Communion by the new pastor when they were serving Mass and wouldn’t put their hands out to receive in the hand. He did the thing of everybody in the sanctuary receiving on the hand, holding onto the Host, and all consuming together at the Priest’s Communion after the “Domine, non sum dignus”. I told him afterwards that he’d better not try that again unless he wanted a huge fight in the parish, because Communion on the tongue was perfectly licit, and we weren’t going to stand for it. He backed down instantly. Thenceforward the boys declined to receive in the hand, and when the faithful came up for Communion, knelt down and received first, then assisted with the rest of the Communions. A lot of these people who have progressive ideas will cave in if you show fight.
In the ongoing debate, it helps to consider whether Jesus, Himself would deny His Body and Blood to anyone. The Angelic Doctor argues that Our Lord’s betrayer received the Eucharist.
As to your question, Jester, it depends on who the priest is. You often know that when you pull in the parking lot….a lot of us out here are aware of this and line things up in accord, ie go to a decent parish.
The Church’s requirments for reception of Communion are very clear. Catechism 1355 and 1415 spell it out i.e. “Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”
Any priest knowing of someone not in the state of grace should deny communion so as not to compound mortal sins. Of course in our private lives priests have no way of really knowing. But politicians who are openly supportive of abortion are publicly displaying their mortal sin. The priest should not help them compound their sin.
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unfortunately, i’d bet it would be C in today’s church
“D” all of the above. A and B obviously should not receive. But C we know his physical position (kneeling), but not his positions on anything else. Let’s say he’s anti-abortion but pro-choice because he’s a modern, liberal Catholic. Therefore, he should not receive Communion, either.
But then again, who are we to judge? I can not read their souls. So all three can receive. God can take care of them.
If you’re in California, it would be C. Since Cardinal Mahoney said that he would give Kerry Communion and won’t deny it also for people wearing rainbow sash.
ONLY IN KA-LI-FOR-NI-A!!
The most likely choice would probably be:
D.Dogmatists (of the orthodox type, of course, since heretical dogmatists like A and B are rarely refused)
Ouch. Wow. That sure says a lot there, doesn’t it?
The answer to every question like this, in today’s Church: It all depends on who’s wearing the mitre nextdoor.
My sons were refused Communion by the new pastor when they were serving Mass and wouldn’t put their hands out to receive in the hand. He did the thing of everybody in the sanctuary receiving on the hand, holding onto the Host, and all consuming together at the Priest’s Communion after the “Domine, non sum dignus”. I told him afterwards that he’d better not try that again unless he wanted a huge fight in the parish, because Communion on the tongue was perfectly licit, and we weren’t going to stand for it. He backed down instantly. Thenceforward the boys declined to receive in the hand, and when the faithful came up for Communion, knelt down and received first, then assisted with the rest of the Communions. A lot of these people who have progressive ideas will cave in if you show fight.
In the ongoing debate, it helps to consider whether Jesus, Himself would deny His Body and Blood to anyone. The Angelic Doctor argues that Our Lord’s betrayer received the Eucharist.
http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/summa/TP/TP081.html
Still, we can’t forget St. Paul’s admonition in 1 Cor 11:28-32.
http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=citation&book=1+Corinthians&chapno=11&startverse=28&endverse=32
One’s local bishop is responsible for the souls entrusted to him and will answer to Christ for how well he did in revealing Our Lord’s Kingdom.
Mary, refuge of sinners, pray for us.
As to your question, Jester, it depends on who the priest is. You often know that when you pull in the parking lot….a lot of us out here are aware of this and line things up in accord, ie go to a decent parish.
The Church’s requirments for reception of Communion are very clear. Catechism 1355 and 1415 spell it out i.e. “Anyone who desires to receive Christ in Eucharistic communion must be in the state of grace. Anyone aware of having sinned mortally must not receive communion without having received absolution in the sacrament of penance.”
Any priest knowing of someone not in the state of grace should deny communion so as not to compound mortal sins. Of course in our private lives priests have no way of really knowing. But politicians who are openly supportive of abortion are publicly displaying their mortal sin. The priest should not help them compound their sin.