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Hi, Janie —
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
is very explicit. Catholics may not
participate ( that is receive ) in
any "communion service" in
any Protestant Church PERIOD !
1400 Ecclesial
communities derived from the Reformation
and separated from the Catholic
Church, "have not preserved
the proper reality of the Eucharistic
mystery in its fullness, especially
because of the absence of the
sacrament of Holy Orders. " Vatican
II, Unitatis
Redintegratio 22 § 3
It is for this reason that Eucharistic
intercommunion with these communities
is not possible for the Catholic
Church. However these ecclesial
communities, "when they commemorate
the Lord's death and resurrection
in the Holy Supper . . . profess
that it signifies life in communion
with Christ and await his coming
in glory." Vatican II, Unitatis
Redintegratio 22 § 3
This is no reason whereby a Catholic
may take communion in a Protestant
Church or at a retreat of any sort.
There are limited instances when
a Catholic may take Communion in
an Orthodox Church.
Also, in GRAVE necessity (as in,
near death), a Protestant may be
given Communion if he expresses a
desire for it and has a Catholic
belief in the Eucharist.
I hope this helps,
John DiMascio
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