My sister is an Eucharistic Assistant in the Catholic Church. I am an Anglican. My mother, also a practising Anglican, died recently. I (We) couldn't have a Eucharist because of the pressure it would have placed on my sister. My sister may die before me, I as an Anglican can't partake of Comunion that would occur at her funeral. Why can't there be two stations of Communion (one Catholic and say one Anglican) at Catholic funerals so that all can share in Christ's Communion, at this time of grief.

-- Grant Killen (gjmlr.killen@hunterlink.net.au), February 07, 1998

Answers

What a sad mess this is! Please accept my condolences on the loss of your mother.

Now, on to the issue at hand. I take it that your mothers funeral was at a Anglican Church? I don't understand what kind of pressure your sister would have had "placed on her" There would have been two roads she could have taken. 1. Stay seated during the Anglican communion and continue to quietly pray. Where is there pressure here? 2. Reiecved communion anyway....unless that would cause scandal amoung your family or make your sister feel guilty

There will never be two stations of Communion...just as we know there is not TWO Christ's

Personally, the priests I know would have chosen to look the other way and let anyone recieve. As long as someone believes that Christ is present in the Eucharist then all is well. And if they do not, well Christ is still present, so why not leave that person and their intentions up to God? I'm not sure if this answer gives you much confort I will be glad to try it again if you would like me to.

-- Connie Ostlund (sorka@teleport.com), February 08, 1998.

If you want to be Catholic, be Catholic with all your mind, with all your heart and with all your forces... If you want to be Anglican, be Anglican with all your mind, with all your heart and with all your forces... The religion you choose, you must follow it with all its laws and without looking behind. You can't serve to two masters and the properties of one master can't be shared with strangers. Choose a religion and don't mix religions. The Catholic Church seeks the ecumenical dialog to be joined in ONE Church, in ONE law, in ONE heart, in ONE Communion... like Christ demanded.

-- Carmen (cpineda@banamex.com), February 12, 1998.