Receiving Communion II Can non-Catholics receive Communion in a Catholic 60 church? The general answer is no, with a few exceptions, Notes such as members of the Orthodox and other Eastern Churches. Let’s talk about why. First, know that all are welcome at the celebration of the Eucharist, or Mass. In John 17:21, Jesus prayed “that they may all be one.” That is certainly the prayer of the Church. Sadly, though, that is not the reality. As Catholics, we believe that the celebration of the Eucharist is a sign of the reality of the oneness of faith, life and worship of believers. We also believe that Jesus is truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist. As such, to offer the Eucharist to those who are not in full communion with the Church would be an act of hypocrisy rather than unity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 1400 says this: 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.” It is for this reason that, for the Catholic Church, Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible. Many churches offer an opportunity for our non-Catholic brothers and sisters to receive a blessing in lieu of Communion. In the end, we should all pray for one another, and continue to pray for complete unity in the body of Christ. For further study: CCC 1398-1401 • Code of Canon Law – Canon 844
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