Bishops to vote on guidelines for helping Catholics prepare to receive Communion
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Washington D.C., Oct 23, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- A new document, drafted by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will likely raise the issue once again about whether pro-abortion politicians, as well as those in favor of cloning and embryonic stem-cell research, should receive Communion.

The U.S. bishops will vote on the document during their annual November meeting in Baltimore, Nov. 13-16.

The proposed document, Happy Are Those Who Are Called to His Supper: On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily, is not intended to be a technical document for bishops, pastors, or ministers. Rather, it is addressed to all the faithful and designed to help Catholics properly prepare to receive Communion.

The statement says Catholics should refrain from Communion when they do not adhere to what the Church teaches on matters of faith and morals or when a person is publicly known to have committed serious sin.

Organized as a series of questions and answers, the statement addresses what the Catholic Church believes about the Eucharist, who may receive Communion, and how Catholics can prepare to receive the sacrament more worthily.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is the “source and summit of the Christian life” that brings the faithful into communion with Christ and as a community of believers.

The statement says Catholics should prepare to receive Communion by regular prayer and scripture reading, the sacrament of reconciliation, fasting, wearing modest dress to church, and coming to Mass in a prayerful state of mind.

It reiterates Church teaching that, with few exceptions, only Catholics may receive Communion at a Catholic Mass.

Catholics should refrain from the sacrament when they are not in a state of grace because of mortal sin, unless they receive the sacrament of reconciliation before the Eucharist.

In 2004, the USCCB concluded that each bishop would act independently in his own diocese with regard to pro-abortion politicians. According to CNA sources, many bishops hope this document will assist in establishing common practices for all U.S. bishops in regards to the distribution of Holy Communion to such politicians.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: Marc Harris
San Antonio, TX 10/25/2006 08:24 AM EST
I think its dangerous to keep referring to politicians in this debate. Quite a few common Catholics are no different in their beliefs and by focusing on the politicians, some read it as a pass for themselves. We must keep in mind this was not written speaking only to the Kerrys of the world.
As for the casual clothing. Sometimes, usually with some form of permission(ie. parish picnic), is it ok to come in casual dress. But normally, Sunday best applies. You wouldn't go to dinner with the President in "bermudas" and a t-shirt. Why would you go the the feast of the Lord of Lords that way? This form of dress is an outward sign of your level of respect for the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ - little to none.
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Published by: Christina Stoner
Dillsburg, PA 10/24/2006 02:21 PM EST
I hope that our Bishops will mention Pope John Paul II's encyclical
"Ecclesia de Eucharistia" wherein lies the answer to their dilema. Canon Law 915 is specifically mentioned in the encyclical: "those who obstinately persist in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to Eucharistic Communion". To this day, 'Catholic' public figures like John Kerry continue to receive Holy Communion. This ongoing scandal has led many Catholics to believe that they can support abortion and receive Holy Communion. Has no priest, Bishop or Cardinal talked with Kerry privately and informed him that the scandal he has created will not be tolerated and that Canon Law 915 WILL be enforced if he continues to come forward to receive Jesus?
Given the poor Catechesis in the decades gone by, I wonder how many Catholics today actually know what is a mortal sin and what constitutes comitting a mortal sin. How many know what being 'in a state of grace' really is? How many Catholics practice contraception, support same sex unions/marriage, support embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia, cloning and see nothing wrong with this. How many Catholics see nothing wrong with missing Mass on Sunday when they could attend? How many realize that taking the name of the Lord in vain is a grievous sin? The true teachings of the Church are sorely needed. The Bishops need to address this issue as well.
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Published by: Jim
Port Orange/FL 10/23/2006 05:55 PM EST
Mike, Henry where are you coming from with your comments? The new publication from the Bishops brings nothing new to the table of our Lord. It is only reiterating the age old practice of preparing oneself, mind, body and soul, for the amazing privilege of receiving our Lord on our tongues and into our bodies. Scripture is very clear on receiving communion worthily and the consequences of receiving unworthily. What must be is that you have been raised in a tradition that does not fully understand or profess the magnitude of receiving Christ in the Eucharist. Not receiving Christ when in the state of mortal sin aids the people to be more penitent for what actions they commit that separates them from God. It helps them to realize that they truly are separating themselves from the Lord and His will. Receiving the Lord when not having been forgiven and not being impenitent is grave moral matter that Paul teaches us is why many people get sick and die. It is an act of lying directly to Jesus when you say Amen at communion but do not truly believe all He teaches you through the Church. The Bishops are doing the people a great disservice in not standing up for their souls if they permit people to receive communion when they do not believe as Christ teaches us. Thank you Holy Spirit for saving more lives.
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Published by: Ron Pichlik
Battle Creek, MI USA 10/23/2006 05:21 PM EST
To Mike in MA: What this is coming to is the fact that to receive Holy Communion one must actually be in communion with the body of Christ. This means following "ALL" of the teachings of the Church. We are not free to pick and choose what we will follow or not follow as though going down the cafeteria lunch line. By way of example when one has procured an abortion, aided in the procurment, performed an abortion, etc. such persons, like it or not, are in a state of mortal sin and need to receive the Sacrament of Reconcilliation in a spirit of true contrition. This applies to politicians who support abortion/pro-choice policies and/or legislation. It applies to Catholics who support pro-choice/pro-abortion candidates for public office. We need to follow the teachings of the Church, all of them, in order to be in full communion with the Body of Christ, (the Church), in order to be able to properly submit ourselves for Holy Communion.
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Published by: Ben Berrini
Plains, PA usa 10/23/2006 01:04 PM EST
It seems the Bishops are finally going to address these politicians who call themselfs catholic, but do not follow church teachings.
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Published by: Henry
Virginia 10/23/2006 12:36 PM EST
When is the church going to reissue the Index of Forbidden Books and the old confession guide to the Index of Forbidden Thoughts?
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Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 10/23/2006 10:43 AM EST
What is this coming to? Will Catholics be denied communion if they wear Bermudas? Will the adulteress in the town square who they were trying to stone be declared ineligible for the sacraments because of publicity? Must we buy the whole shebang before we are good enough to go to Communion? Some of us will never be that pure. You who are without sin should thank God daily that he has endowed you with such holiness.
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