Monday, January 2, 2017
Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 222 - Part I.
(Youcat answer) Holy Communion is the
expression of the unity of the Body of Christ. To belong to the Catholic Church,
one must be baptized in her, share her faith, and live in union with her. It would
be a contradiction if the Church were to invite to Communion people who do not
(yet) share the faith and life of the Church. It would damage the credibility
of the sign of the Eucharist.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 1398) The Eucharist and the unity of Christians.
Before the greatness of this mystery St. Augustine exclaims, "O sacrament of devotion! O sign of unity! O
bond of charity!" (St. Augustine, In
Jo. ev. 26, 13: PL 35, 1613; cf. SC 47). The more painful the experience of
the divisions in the Church which break the common participation in the table
of the Lord, the more urgent are our prayers to the Lord that the time of
complete unity among all who believe in him may return.
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) Individual Orthodox Christians
may ask to receive Holy Communion at a Catholic liturgy, because they share the
Eucharistic faith of the Catholic Church, although their Church is not yet in
full communion with the Catholic Church. In the case of members of other
Christian “ecclesial communities” or denominations, Holy Communion may be
administered to an individual if there is a grave necessity and evidence of
faith in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Joint celebrations of the Eucharist
/ Lord’s Supper by Catholics and Protestants are the goal and the wish of all
ecumenical efforts; to anticipate them, however, without having established the
reality of the Body of Christ in one faith and in the one Church is dishonest
and therefore not allowed. Other ecumenical liturgies, in which Christians of
various denominations pray together, are good and are also desired by the
Catholic Church.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 1399)
The Eastern churches that are not in full communion with the Catholic Church
celebrate the Eucharist with great love. "These Churches, although
separated from us, yet possess true sacraments, above all - by apostolic
succession - the priesthood and the Eucharist, whereby they are still joined to
us in closest intimacy." A certain communion in sacris, and so in the Eucharist, "given suitable
circumstances and the approval of Church authority, is not merely possible but
is encouraged" (UR 15 § 2; cf. CIC, can. 844 § 3).
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