Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 120.  Wed  8-14-91 15:53
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Jeff Stevens
 Subject: Eucharist

³ A non-Catholic, very Christian sister of mine asked me if I
³ er,,,she is "allowed" to take part in the Holy Eucharist at my church.  I
³ said that I was unaware of any reason she should not, but I figured I'd
³ ask someone who knows.  Reactions?
 
Dear Jeff,
 
If your sister is Orthodox, she may receive Eucharist in our churches
provided:  1) she asks for it on her own; 2) she is properly disposed
(i.e., shares our faith in the Eucharist as the Real Presence of
Christ, and is in the state of grace).  The same is true if she
belongs to a church having the same Eucharistic faith as ours.  All
this is in canon 844, section 3 of the Code of Canon Law.
 
If your sister belongs to one of the other churches, Canon 844,
section 4 provides that she may receive Eucharist from a Catholic
priest:  1) if danger of death or other grave necessity is present;
2) she cannot approach a minister of her own community; 3) she asks
for Eucharist on her own; 4) she has Catholic faith in the Real
Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
 
September approaches, and with it the opening of the school year.
Almost every parish has an RCIA program (Rite of Christian Initiation
for Adults).  At the cost of one evening per week, your sister may
investigate the doctrines of the Catholic Church without any prior
commitment or obligation.  After the year-long program, she can walk
away--or she may discover what is her true spiritual home, the
Catholic Church.
 
Let us pray together for her.
 
                                       Sincerely in Christ,
                                       Father Mateo