Communion and non-Catholics?

by Michael Shackleton · October 7, 2014

May non-Catholics receive holy Communion? This question always comes up at a requiem Mass, a wedding, first holy Communion, confirmation, Christmas and Easter. I have approached priests with it and received varying answers. What is the ruling from the Vatican on this seemingly tricky question? Terry Webb

“All priests know the answer to your question, which is that the Church reserves distributing Communion to its own members only.”

Canon law precludes administering the Eucharist to non-Catholics. It makes limited exceptions, however, so let�s reduce these to the kind of case you mention.

For example, a family is together at a requiem Mass, and some non-Catholic relatives and friends make it clear that they want to go up to receive Communion with the rest.

Let�s now imagine that the requiem will be celebrated by either Father A or Father B.

Father A knows this family and is aware that some of its non-Catholic members want to receive Communion. But he takes the strict approach of canon law, which excludes these individuals from reception of the sacrament because they are not completely one in faith with the Catholic Church. He tells the congregation in a firm but friendly way that only Catholics may advance to the altar to receive Communion. He also knows from the canons that it is up to his local bishop to judge when rare exceptions may be permitted.

In a case such as this, the exceptions include the non-Catholic�s free-will request to take Communion, faith in the Real Presence and the proper disposition.

Father B is aware of canon law�s restrictions too, yet he does not stop non-Catholic family members and friends from receiving Communion. Presumably, he understands that they want to show their solidarity with the bereaved.

Canon lawyers would say that Father B is acting unlawfully and should sympathetically deny Communion to the non-Catholics present. On the other hand he, as the priest on the spot, may prudently judge that there is a pastoral need to show compassion to this particular group of mourners who desire spiritual comfort at this particular moment.

All priests know the answer to your question, which is that the Church reserves distributing Communion to its own members only. This, as you can see, may occasionally conflict with the personal and pastoral situation on the ground. Consequently there are times when one priest may decide differently from another.

Receiving Communion is the sign of a reality of a oneness of faith and worship and assent to the Catholic Church�s teachings. If that reality does not exist, because someone is not a member of the Church, then it is not correct for them to receive Communion, thus affirming a union that does not, in fact, exist.