Can methodists receive communion at a catholic church?

Answer 1

The Catholic Church's teachings is that what they consider as valid priests (Ones who have received the priesthood given to the apostles by Christ through line of succession. The apostles, who were the first bishops, passed on their priestly powers to men through the laying of hands to succeed them who ordained others and so on) can consecrate the bread and wine and change it to the body and blood of Christ. They therefore do not regard communion at a Methodist Church as a valid sacrament although theystill regard it as a memorial of Him.

Communion from an Orthodox Church is considered valid by the Catholic Church so Catholics can receive it from them but only in cases where it is impossible to attend a Catholic mass.

With regard to the Methodist Communion service, John Wesley, Methodism's founder, regarded the biblical doctrine of presbyters as more valid and representative of the Biblical early Church rather than the later priestly invention being valid. Presbyters were regarded as part of the priesthood of all believers, and so, as an ordained minister himself, he regarded it his right, and the right of every ordained person whether a bishop or not, to ordain other ministers through the laying on of hands, which, in itself, can be traced back to the apostles.

Therefore most Protestant Churches have no problems with the ordination of Methodist ministers, nor their authority to preside at Holy Communion, and regard the consecrated bread and wine as much sacramental as it is in the Catholic Church.

It ought to be added, though, that the acceptance of apostolic succession as a prerequisite for a valid sacrament of Holy Communion is not necessarily true. In the Anglican Church the episcopalian line (bishop line) can be traced back to the reformation and before to the early Church, just like the Roman catholic tradition. Yet the Roman Church, though the Anglicans can equally trace their apostolic line back, still regards the Anglican communion as invalid, and even regard the Anglican clergy as invalid and without authority. This, to most outside the heirarchy of the Catholic Church seems a little illogical and bigotted.

Answer 2

Yes, but only in certain circumstances.

Code of Canon Law 844 §4.

If the danger of death is present, or

if...some other grave necessity urges it,

Catholic ministers administer these same sacraments licitly also to other Christians not having full communion with the Catholic Church,

who cannot approach a minister of their own community and

who seek such on their own accord,

provided that they manifest Catholic faith in respect to these sacraments and

are properly disposed.