On a non-religious discussion board, someone is going to a Catholic funeral, and we've been discussing whether or not they can accept Communion. A member has stated that Episcopalians can receive Communion.

Before I respond, I'd just like to make sure I have my facts straight.

Thank you so much.

-- Mary Jo Mellado Willey (maryjomw@yahoo.com), April 14, 2004

Answers

Bump

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), April 14, 2004.

I believe under certain circumstances with permission from the Bishop, they can. But otherwise its not permitted.

-- Jim Furst (furst@flash.net), April 14, 2004.

I do not believe they can. I was at catholic funeral lately and the priest made an announcement that only Catholic's can receive communion. Upon further investigation, I found out that only Catholics can receive Communion because, only we acknowledge Jesus' presence in the Eucharist and all other denominations believe that communiion is only a symbolic commemorative practice. Hope this helps

-- Jude Moses (JudeMoses@hotmail.com), April 14, 2004.

This is what the U.S. Catholic Bishops have written on this issue.

-- Mark (aujus_1066@yahoo.com), April 14, 2004.

Canon 844 deals with this. It states three requirements for someone to recieve communion. 1 believe what the church believes. 2 be unable to get to his own service. 3 be in grave circumstance such as in danger of death. Your average episcopalian at a funeral service doesn't meet these requirements

Dano

-- Dan Garon (boethius61@yahoo.com), April 15, 2004.