Catholic Communion

Visitors to Catholic parishes often complain that they may not join in communion at Mass. Many other denominations welcome all who profess faith in Christ to the communion table, but Catholics have always restricted who shares the meal. For those who practice hospitality at home by setting an extra place at the table for visitors, the Catholic custom gives offense.

However, Catholic communion is just that, a sign of Catholic unity. The Eucharist symbolizes our union with God but also our union with one another.

Many groups use a symbol to identify their members. Students wear school jackets. Scouts earn medals. These customs give groups signs of association. When a new member joins the group, the symbol frequently becomes part of the rite of initiation, a sign of transition, and a source of pride. Those baptized in other communions who make a profession of faith with us may be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Their communion becomes the high point of their transition into membership.

Ordinarily, Catholics do not share communion at other churches, nor do other believers share communion in Catholic churches. Exceptions exist, but they are rare. In danger of death, for example, or in some grave necessity, non-Catholics might receive permission from a Catholic bishop to receive communion. If they do not have regular access to their own minister, ask for Catholic communion on their own and express a Catholic faith in the Eucharist, they may obtain permission to receive communion.

Theologians debate the possibilities for full communion while ordinary families find themselves separated by what often appears to them as small differences in their beliefs. The more unity we find among ourselves, the closer all Christian churches will come to resolving the differences.

Paul Turner, pastor of St. John Regis Parish in Kansas City, MO, holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome. His e-mail address is PaulTu@aol.com.]

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