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brian
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 803 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Sat Sep 8th, 2007 03:05 am |
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If someone asked you (or you invited them) to go to church and they had been away for a while or did not beleive what the church teaches or were possibly in a state of sin how far would you go to discourage them from receiving Holy Communion?
I believe you should take some time to explain to them what the church teaches and then leave the decision up to them. But what if you knew that they were probably going to receive anyway because they told you or did not believe you? Should you not even bring them to not help them in the sin against the Body of the Lord? To what extent would you discourage a non-Catholic or non practicing Catholic from receiving when they go to church with you? If they decide to ignore you, should you simply let them get in line and receive or not warn the priest ahead of time.
I know that we leave it up to each individual to be honest and make the right decision, and that they are all responsible for what they do, but part of me thinks that if we know ahead of time that something is going to happen like this that we should make a strong stand against it, if we know for a fact that they understand the teaching and are simply planning to ignore it.
I know if they hear and ignore me that it is their own conscience because I did my part, but why not do more to protect the Host? How can I watch and do or say nothing? What is the right thing?
Brian
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2072 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Sep 8th, 2007 09:05 am |
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Brian, if I saw a near certainty that, even with instruction, the person would abuse the sacrament, I would consider withdrawing the invitation or bowing out. (“Something came up.…”) In this way I would neither be complicit, nor would I be forcing the situation into a row between us.
David
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brian
Member
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 803 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Sat Sep 8th, 2007 11:28 am |
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But if they did not tell you ahead of time, and then went forth to receive anyway, at that ponit there would be nothing left to do or say, and you realize that it is between them and God. I mean, you probably should not do anything that would disrupt the liturgy or cause a stir. But is that what you are saying, is that if you knew that ahead of time you would bow out but if you explained the rules and they just went forward anyway or saw themselves as an exception and went forward you would not try to stop them.
Well, the friens who wanted to go with me actually did not know these rules, but I explained them, and she actually had been refraining from receiving simply out of respect and not wanting to take something that she knew was not for her or that she was ready o fully participate in. So I have nothing to worry about. Hopefully she will eventually decide to return to confession. Maybe tomorrow's liturgy will bring her closer.
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David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2072 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Sep 8th, 2007 03:03 pm |
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If I knew ahead of time that the person would abuse the sacrament, I would bow out. Assuming that the first condition did not obtain, if I knew the person probably did not know about the conditions for receiving communion, I would explain them. Thirdly, if I did not know that the person would receive the sacrament, but he did anyway, I might mention it afterwards once only to make sure he understood.
I would never try to stop a person from receiving communion during Mass. That is between him and God, and I have no authority to intervene. Only if the person repeatedly abuses the sacraments in a public manner would I mention it to the pastor, and that is because the matter has reached the point of scandal and he has the authority to intervene.
It seems your situation has worked itself out anyway, so feel free to accompany your friend.
David
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