Just to set the record straight, the simple truth is that it is not against Catholic doctrine for Protestants to receive Communion at Mass. 1. We believe that Baptism in the Protestant Churches gives exactly the same thing Baptism in the Catholic Church gives — the “state of grace”: divine life and the divine gifts Read more
Priests have spoken of a “crisis of conscience” as bishops in England and Wales issue differing guidelines on the reception of Holy Communion. The bishops’ conference recommends that Communion only be received in the hand, but individual bishops have the authority to make policy for their dioceses, and have adopted varying guidelines. A spokesperson for Read more
Many Catholic bishops are discussing the practical aspects of resuming public Masses, now the initial coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown restrictions are easing. One of their concerns is what to do about distributing communion, which is considered a “high risk of contagion” moment. Cardinal Robert Sarah, (pictured) who is the head of the Vatican’s liturgical office, has Read more
The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Greece issued a statement on Monday referring to the Covid19 coronavirus outbreak, maintaining that Holy Communion does not transmit the virus. The new, controversial statement comes after days of heated public debate in Greece about whether the Church of Greece should adopt more drastic measures to limit Read more
A priest in the United States has barred a life long parishoner and married lesbian from receiving Holy Communion. Fr Scott Nolan recently informed Kent County District Court Judge Sara Smolenski she should not receive communion at his church. The Diocese of Grand Rapids said it supports the decision. “No community of faith can sustain the Read more
US Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden says a priest’s decision to deny him communion because of his views on abortion is “private matter”. He says he wishes the priest (Robert Morey) hadn’t taken the issue to the press. Biden, who is a life-long Catholic, says Morey’s move to inform the press is “not a position Read more
Former US vice president Joe Biden was refused holy communion at Mass last Sunday. Biden, who is a presidential candidate, is refusing to confirm the reports, saying the incident is part of his “personal life.” The priest who refused to give Biden the sacrament, says based his decision on Biden’s support for legal abortion. “Sadly, Read more
If you’re a Protestant married to a Catholic in Germany, you might be able to receive Communion along with your spouse in the Catholic Church. Then again, you may not be welcome to do so, or you could find yourself simply unsure. This confusing situation, created by a proposed change to the tradition that the Read more
Cardinal Sarah, the Vatican’s most senior liturgy official who has in the past been reprimanded by Pope Francis for his views on liturgy, is raising eyebrows again after expressing his opposition to the widely accepted practice of receiving Communion in the hand. In an introduction to a new book about Communion practices, the cardinal writes, Read more
The fake news brigade has been at it again. This time, it is falsely claiming the Vatican is creating an “ecumenical Mass”. Archbishop Arthur Roche, who is the number two official at the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, says reports of a joint Mass were “utterly false”. Greg Burke, Director Read more