Msg Base:  AREA 3  - ASK FATHER (AMDG)
  Msg No: 132.  Sat 10-24-92  9:34  (NO KILL)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Bill Leaming
 Subject: Holy Communion

Message repeated per your request.
 
This msg of 18th September 1992 was :
 
  from:  Father Mateo
  to:    Scott Spencer
  area:  ASK FATHER       E00/501
 
± SS|Dear Father Mateo,
±   | . . .   My question concerns communion.  I am a United Methodist and I
±   |went to a Catholic Mass and I was unable to partake of the Eucharist.  It
±   |troubled me because I have always seen Catholics as my brothers and
±   |sisters in Christ and yet I do not feel invited into the Eucharist.  Why
±   |does the Church have this policy?
±   |    Thank You for Your Time!!
±   |    Grace and Mercy to You
±   |    Scott Spencer
±
±
± Dear Scott,
±
± The Second Vatican Council in its Decree on Ecumenism teaches: "All
± who have been justified by faith in baptism are incorporated into
± Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with
± good reason are accepted as brothers and sisters by the children of
± the Catholic Church" (#3).
±
± The Secretariat for the Promotion of Unity among Christians, in its
± Directory of Ecumenism, part I, #55, says: "Celebration of the
± sacraments is an action of celebrating community, signifying the
± oneness in faith, worship, and life of the community.  Where this
± unity of sacramental faith is lacking, the participation of the
± separated brethren with Catholics, especially in the sacraments of
± the Eucharist, penance, and anointing of the sick, is forbidden....
± The Church can for adequate reasons allow access to those sacraments
± to a separated brother. This may be permitted ... so long as he
± declares a faith in these sacraments in harmony with that of the
± Church....  The judge of this urgent necessity must be the diocesan
± bishop."
±
± In brief, the Eucharist, in our belief, is a sign of already existing
± unity among us.  It is not a means of achieving a unity which does
± not yet exist.
±
± Everyone is invited to pray and examine the credentials of the Church
± and to enter into full communion with us.  We call our Church
± "Catholic" because it is for all.  But one must first enter fully
± among us to offer and receive the Eucharist, the sign of our unity.
±
±                                         Sincerely in Christ,
±
±                                         Father Mateo
±
±