Can an Episcopalian receive communion in the Catholic Church?

Answer 1

Yes and No...

In order to answer this question, we must first define what a 'Catholic' is. For starters, there are several variations of Catholicism. First is the 'Roman Catholic Church', then there are the 'Old Catholic Churches,' which then lead to the 'Independent Catholic Churches.' Then there are what are known as 'anglo-catholic' churches.

The Old Catholic Churches and Independent Catholic Churches are schism churches, that broke from Rome over issues such as papal infallibility, the marriage of priests, and later the ordination of women. 'Anglo-catholic' parishes, are Episcopal and Anglican parishes that have embraced their 'catholic heritage' and are aligned to a 'sacramental theology', as opposed to a more 'reformed' perspective. The Old and Independent Catholic Churches recognize the validity of Anglican/Episcopal ordinations in the same way they recognize the validity of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox ordinations.

The Roman Catholic Church however, does not accept Episcopal and Anglican ordinations as being valid. Thus they do not recognize the validity of an Anglican or Episcopal Eucharist. Due to this, The Roman Catholic Church does not permit it's members to receive the Eucharist in the Episcopal Church, since they no longer recognize it as a 'valid' church at this current time.

However, the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion as a whole recognizes itself as a valid member of 'the one holy catholic and apostolic church,' and has maintained apostolic succession, the 3 fold ministry of deacons, priests, and bishops. In addition the Episcopal Church recognizes the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and has never doubted that.

According to the canons of The Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA), all baptized Christians may receive Eucharist in an Episcopal Church if they feel so called to. Episcopalians see the 'table' as being 'God's table'not belonging to any one person or church, but rather, open to all. The Roman Catholic Church recognizes 'the table' as belonging solely to them, and those churches that are in 'communion' with them. This includes certain Orthodox and Old Catholic jurisdictions. As far as the Episcopal Church is concerned, Catholics of all persuasions are always welcome to partake in the Holy Eucharist in an Episcopal Church. There is always room at 'the table' for everyone! Perhaps the Roman Church will reach that understanding as well someday!

Answer 2

Only baptized Catholics who believe the "Real Presence", that is, that the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ is truly and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist may present themselves for the sacrament. Sacramental communion presumes at least virtual assent to all that Catholic Church teaches in doctrine, morals, faith, and discipline. The communicant must also be properly disposed, that is, free of mortal sin, in the state of grace, and (normally) having fasted according to the discipline of the Church. Obviously, those who are excommunicated, those who are in schism, and notorious sinners may not receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Church. They are urged to give up their actions which cause grave public scandal, publicly repent of their sins, submit to the discipline and authority of the Church, and receive Sacramental absolution.

With direct regards to offering Communion to an Episcopalian, according to the Church's Code of Canon Law (1983): "If the danger of death is present or other grave necessity, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or the conference of bishops, Catholic ministers may licitly administer these sacraments to other Christians who do not have full Communion with the Catholic Church, who cannot approach a minister of their own community and on their own ask for it, provided they manifest Catholic faith in these sacraments and are properly disposed" (CIC 844 § 4)

It would seem than that non-Catholic Christians, in a case of emergency, may approach the sacraments if they have the correct dispositions and a state of necessity as outlined above. Protestants could invoke the same canons, but since they have different doctrinal beliefs it would be unlikely that the correct dispositions as well as the necessity (since many Protestant denominations do not believe in the necessity of the sacraments) is present. Indeed, approaching the sacraments usually manifests a lack of integrity in one's own religious understanding, which should be vigorously explored and corrected, as necessary. Some modern parishes are very lenient and willingly offer Holy Communion to an Episcopalian in a false spirit of 'ecumenism'. While seemingly a kind and charitable act in the name of Christian unity, such an action undermines the ultimate goal and good of Ecumenism, which is to call together the visible unity of the Church. Thoughtless intercommunion allows Catholics to be Catholics, Episcopalians to be Episcopalians, Methodists to be Methodists, etc... this betrays this ultimate goal of Ecumenism. Thankfully, most parishes interpret these canons correctly and rarely, if ever, invoke them, except in extreme pastoral need, normally when one is in the danger of death and asks of their own free will for sacramental union with the Church. Many Episcopalians subscribe to the 'branch theory' of their ecclesial community, arguing that the Anglican Communion is, in some way (like the Orthodox), an authentic branch of the Catholic Church. Thus, they believe that they not only express oneness with the authentic Church of Christ, but what is practiced within their religion is, itself, the Catholic faith. The Church does not recognize or subscribe to this argument, and normally demonstrates that there has been a rupture in the authentic apostolic line of Holy Orders. Thus, the communion celebrated in Episcopalian churches is not, properly speaking, the Eucharist. In some rare circumstances (where a Catholic priest defects to an Episcopalian community, or where a Catholic bishop has passed apostolic succession to an Episcopalian bishop), there might be authentic orders and an authentic Eucharist, but this activtity still takes place (illicitly) outside of the peace and unity of the Church, and requires reconciliation. Again, this distinction, while not 'polite', reflects a reality of the rupture of the faith between Catholics and Episcopalians. There are separate rules and special distinctions made for separated Christians of the various oriental rites, namely Orthodox Christians. Because there are valid orders and thus a valid Eucharist in these communities, there is a real unity between Catholic and Orthodox Churches which are recognized in Law. These Christians may approach the Eucharist, when in need, and of their own free will. It is important to note that the Orthodox discipline is to excommunicate their own members who approach and receive the Catholic Eucharist. The Catholic discipline on intercommunion is not primarily intended to protect Catholic sacraments, but rather to preserve the religious integrity of non-Catholic Christians. One should not approach the Eucharist without discerning the Body of the Lord, lest he/she be damned (cf 1 Corinthians 11:29). One who receives the Eucharist acknowledges the full divinity of Christ present under the mere appearances of bread and wine. Because most Protestant theologies deny Catholic Eucharistic doctrine, Protestants who approach the sacrament find themselves either in the serious subjective sin of idolatry (worshipping what seems to be 'worldly elements' which one, as a Protestant, professes is not divine) or in the serious objective sin of schism (truly believing in the Eucharist while allowing oneself to be separated from visible union of the Church). Non-Catholic Christians, such as Episcopalians, who still earnestly desire to receive the Eucharist should approach the priest to inquire about becoming Catholic.

Answer 3

No, officially The Roman Catholic Church is not.

Roman Catholics believe that during the Mass a priest consecrates the bread and wine and that they become the actual Body and Blood of Christ though remaining under the appearance of bread and wine.

Episcopalians believe that during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist when a priest consecrates the bread and wine, the belief is that IN SOME FORM the REAL PRESENCE of Christ becomes Truly Present among the elements as well.

However, unlike in the Roman Catholic tradition, Episcopalians (or Anglicans as they are known as in England, the UK, Canada, parts of Africa, South America and the British Isles) take a more ambiguous view on the nature of How and in what form Christ becomes Present in the elements.

Most Episcopalians (Anglicans) see the Eucharist as more of a 'spiritual or ontological' transformation. The theology behind this being that Just as Christ was fully human and fully divine, so is the Eucharist... both Fully 'human' or fully 'of the earth' and yet at the same time, fully 'divine'.

Episcopalians appreciate the mystery of Christ's presence in the Eucharist, and simply accept that he is there among the elements. The need for a specific set of instructions on the how, why, at what point, and in what way Christ is present, is not seen as necessary for most Episcopalians faith in Christ's presence in the Eucharist.

Due to the different theological view points in regards to the Eucharist, Episcopalians as well as other non Roman Catholic Christians (with the exception of certain Orthodox Christian Churches) may not receive sacraments in the Roman Catholic Church. Likewise, for the same reasons, members of the Roman Catholic Church are not 'officially' permitted to receive Sacraments in non-Roman Catholic Christian Churches (with the exception of only the Orthodox Churches)

However, this being said, more times than not, most Roman Catholic bishops will would not object to Episcopalians (Anglicans) partaking in the Eucharist in a Roman Catholic Church, despite the official position of Rome on the matter.

Despite the fact that the Episcopal/Anglican tradition has retained a sacramental priesthood and episcopate (bishops)through the laying on of hands of bishops in apostolic succession (a physical and spiritual lineage of laying on of hands back to the apostles.) Both The Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches retain this succession as well, yet Rome no longer recognizes the Episcopal/Anglican Church as having valid priests or bishops anymore. This is in part due to the ambiguity of the Episcopal/Anglican view of the Eucharist as well as the policy of the Episcopal/Anglican Church to ordain both men and women, gay and straight, celibate and non celibate as deacons, priests and Bishops. The Roman view on Anglican/Episcopal orders was also highly politically motivated.

Many Orthodox Churches recognize the validity of Male Anglican/Episcopal priests and bishops, who were ordained by male bishops. They do not recognize the validity of women priests or bishops, but debate the validity of women as deacons.

Regardless of this, The Episcopal/Anglican Church maintains that it is in the succession of the apostles and that gender or sexual orientation holds no bearing on the validity of ordination.

'Neither male nor female, slave nor free, Greek nor Jew, for ALL ARE ONE in Christ Jesus" -St. Paul

The Episcopal/Anglican Church officially welcomes ALLbaptized Christians to the altar to partake in the Holy Eucharist or any of the sacraments. However, if you are not baptized or not a Chrisitan, but come up to the altar to partake in the Eucharist YOU WILL NOT BE TURNED AWAY.

Episcopal/Anglican Christians believe that the altar table belongs solely to Christ and not to humans, thus humans cannot judge what is in the hearts of another Christian, and therefore no one has authority to deny anyone from partaking in the presence of Christ. Christ came to heal ALL PEOPLE never turning ANYONE away.

Answer 4

No, one must be a Catholic to receive communion in a Catholic Church. Catholics and Episcopalians have different theologies when it comes to the Eucharist and one must be in full communion with Catholic doctrine to receive the Eucharist.

Answer 5

No, the Catholic Church does not approve of receiving Holy Communion in another denomination. In fact, it is a sin for Catholics. The Catholic Church teaches that Communion is a sign of full membership in and agreement with the teachings of that denomination.

Answer 6

While the Episcopal Church has open communion and allows it, Catholics are forbidden to receive communion in a Protestant Church.