I am a lapsed Catholic thinking of joining the Episcopal church and was wondering if Episcopalians are allowed to receive communion in other protestant churches.just curious?
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Can Episcopalians Receive Communion In Other Churches
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Catherineanne
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I don't think there is any reason why not. I think many other Protestant churches do as the Episcopalian church does, and invite Christians in good standing with their own church to partake. If such an invitation is given, then Episcopalians are more than welcome to commune.
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gurneyhalleck1
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Episcopalians can take communion in several other Protestant communities but not in the Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, LCMS and WELS Lutheran churches, etc.; these are closed-commmunion churches.
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PaladinValer
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We can receive...the question is rather, will they let us if they know we are Anglicans?
Oddly enough, it depends. Back in college, I was a part of Newman as well as Canterbury. Out of respect, I never received Holy Communion, although the priest and the director of Newman were very generous. One time the priest actually recalled my bishop at the time since the homily was on our bishops. I was very humbled. The priest vaguely told me I would be allowed to receive, but I respectfully declined. All three of us got along great.
I generally follow this rule but there is one exception: if there is a death in the family and the Requiem is at a Roman Catholic parish, I have no qualms in receiving. My family considers me in communion with them and are completely supportive of my spiritual journey and choice of church. It, to me, would be an affront to them and to God if I didn't receive.
Oddly enough, it depends. Back in college, I was a part of Newman as well as Canterbury. Out of respect, I never received Holy Communion, although the priest and the director of Newman were very generous. One time the priest actually recalled my bishop at the time since the homily was on our bishops. I was very humbled. The priest vaguely told me I would be allowed to receive, but I respectfully declined. All three of us got along great.
I generally follow this rule but there is one exception: if there is a death in the family and the Requiem is at a Roman Catholic parish, I have no qualms in receiving. My family considers me in communion with them and are completely supportive of my spiritual journey and choice of church. It, to me, would be an affront to them and to God if I didn't receive.
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gurneyhalleck1
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It is an affront to God in Catholic eyes for a non-Catholic to receive Communion if one is not a baptized Catholic in good standing free of mortal sin. We discussed this in depth on another thread in here. It is basic respect to not only Catholicism to not receive but also being true to ourselves not to receive. Doesn't matter who invited us, doesn't matter what or how we feel about it, what matters is that they have a criterion that is specific. If we can't meet it, we don't receive. Same with Orthodoxy and many Lutheran groups. Respect for one another's communion. The Eucharist is not a right in Catholic eyes. It's a component of being one with Roman theology and faith.
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PaladinValer
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I am Catholic. I'm not Vatican Catholic.
It may be an affront to God according to Vatican Catholic eyes, but not to Catholic ones always.
And since I disagree with their idea of what Catholic is, being Anglican of course, this is only natural, I don't have the qualms you do.
With one exception, I respect their views. Quite honestly, based on truly Anglican belief, which is the only belief we should worry about, I could receive anywhere at any Apostolic church. However, I chose to respect their wishes.
I know full well about their official stance. Quite honestly, in STR, I'm amazed anyone who actually desire to back it up.
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gurneyhalleck1
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I'm not so sure it's anyone wanting to back anything up but rather just basic respect. I went in Buddhist temples in Thailand, many in fact. In each one I was asked to take off my shoes. I don't believe in Buddhism, but out of respect, I took them off. I have been visiting Orthodox divine liturgies now for a couple of months. I never tried to sneak up for communion or feel entitled to it. My wife and I are looking into chrismation. It's a real possibility. But never would I take up the priest on it if he offered (which, thankfully, he would not! 
). It's not so much that one endorses the other religion, just respects the rules as a guest and not a full member.
). It's not so much that one endorses the other religion, just respects the rules as a guest and not a full member.
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Adam Warlock
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I'm not so sure it's anyone wanting to back anything up but rather just basic respect. I went in Buddhist temples in Thailand, many in fact. In each one I was asked to take off my shoes. I don't believe in Buddhism, but out of respect, I took them off. I have been visiting Orthodox divine liturgies now for a couple of months. I never tried to sneak up for communion or feel entitled to it. My wife and I are looking into chrismation. It's a real possibility. But never would I take up the priest on it if he offered (which, thankfully, he would not!
exactly!!!
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MKJ
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The OP question was about other "protestant churches"
just saying
Well, some Lutherans also have closed communion, so the principle is the same.
The main issue with other Protestants is whether or not the Anglican visitor is willing to accept their Eucharistic theology.
Anglicans are apostolic and sacramental, whereas many Protestants are not. So should we receive in a church that insists that the Eucharist is merely symbolic? In doing so, are we saying that we are assenting to that interpretation, or giving the impression we are assenting? Or are we giving the impression or saying that the priesthood is not actually required for the sacrament?
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Catherineanne
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I would have no problem communing with any low church, although I can't imagine the circumstances under which this would happen given that I attend Mass at my own church as often as I can.
It is understood that the Lord perfects our imperfection in the Mass. Therefore, if he happens to have a bit more to perfect in a low church, that is not a problem with me. I would join in anyway, and allow him to decide about the validity of Real Presence in such a setting. I might have a few procedural issues along the way, such as that of standing in a circle, or passing the Host to one another, as happens in some places, but no doubt I would survive somehow.
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MKJ
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I think there is a line that can be rather blurry. Theoretically, as members of the Anglican Communion, we should be able to communicate in any other Church in the Communion, even with the kind of understanding you are talking about here. THat is, we should be able to trust that since we are all in the Communion, we can do this without having to worry about it. (Although in fact the Communion seems to have made this very difficult.)
OTOH, if I visit my grand-father's Lutheran parish, they do not have nor do they believe in Apostolic succession. Will God make perfect their Eucharist? Well, maybe I guess. But is that because their understanding is correct, or despite their imperfect understanding? If the former, maybe I should be a Lutheran. If the latter, then I seem to be giving assent to their understanding (as a Church) by participating, even though actually I do not assent. That might be ok on a minor point, but is it with something a central as the Eucharist?
And more so with a group like, say, the Baptists, who think that it is only symbolic - or to put it another way, deny the true nature of the Eucharist, one of the central mysteries of the faith. Whether or not God makes up for the lack - and I don't know that he would do something people intend or him not to - I seem to be giving assent to the view that the Eucharist is only symbolic. That is, I am visibly questioning an important bit of Incarnational theology.
I don't think it should be a given that it is ok to attend communion at any church, no matter what they believe.
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- Jan 29, 2010
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Jesus welcomes his followers to HIS table of plenty. So, we as Anglicans (usually) are an open church and welcome all Christians to HIS table. Not all Anglican churches are open, but the vast majority are.
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THE QUESTION BEFORE US - ATTENDING OTHER PROTESTANT CHURCHES
I have a simple attitude. If I am attending another Anglican church, I would PRESUME that I was welcome to attend and to receive.
If I attend a local church of another denomination, I am a guest of whoever I am attending with. They understand the policy of their local church. I have no need to understand their national or international organization with its rules; I have made no pledge to abide by such rules. For example, if I were to attend a UMC church, I would abide by whatever the custom was at the local church. Either I am welcome to receive or I am not. The only decision I have is whether to accept or reject the hand of fellowhip if it offered.
Gurney can choose to reject the policies of the local church in favor of his personal understanding of the national or international church body. That is his personal choice. I find it presumtuous to reject an invitation bcause I don't think the Councill of Bishops, opr other national body, would think it proper.
Personally, for example, I would not even consider refusing to accept communion if it were offered at a funeral or wedding. I find that approach downright rude. Almost everyone understands such situations and go out of their way to be welcoming at such times.
The question has been asked with regard what it means to accept communion from someone we don't recognize the process as sacramental.
Many here seem to think that it wrong to accept communion with Christians who wish to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus. If such an acceptance were required, I guess many here wouldn't receive in Naomi's church.
My BOTTOM LINE is that communion is the LORD'S TABLE, not the church's table. I find it strange to be invited over for fellowship and prayer, and then refuse to join them in the Feast of our Lord.
As far as I know, there is no Anglican rule that prohibits anyone from accepting communion in any other Protestant church.
And just BTW, I had the same attitude when I was attending the RCC. I explained that when I attended a Baptist or non-denominational service, I was attending a prayer service, bible study, with praise and worship. No one ever had any issues with this. And yes, at charismatic conferences, we did indeed have Presbyterians, Catholics, Anglicans and others all receiving at the same table. It was a bit awkward, but it was important for all of us to share the meal at the same table.
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JUST PERHAPS
we need to understand why we are Protestant in the first place, and not RCC, OO or EO. We recognize no pope with authority over us, and no patriarch with power over us. We recognize the authority of the local church. And, yes, we are one of the Protestant churches that recognize the authority of bishops.
==========
THE QUESTION BEFORE US - ATTENDING OTHER PROTESTANT CHURCHES
I have a simple attitude. If I am attending another Anglican church, I would PRESUME that I was welcome to attend and to receive.
If I attend a local church of another denomination, I am a guest of whoever I am attending with. They understand the policy of their local church. I have no need to understand their national or international organization with its rules; I have made no pledge to abide by such rules. For example, if I were to attend a UMC church, I would abide by whatever the custom was at the local church. Either I am welcome to receive or I am not. The only decision I have is whether to accept or reject the hand of fellowhip if it offered.
Gurney can choose to reject the policies of the local church in favor of his personal understanding of the national or international church body. That is his personal choice. I find it presumtuous to reject an invitation bcause I don't think the Councill of Bishops, opr other national body, would think it proper.
Personally, for example, I would not even consider refusing to accept communion if it were offered at a funeral or wedding. I find that approach downright rude. Almost everyone understands such situations and go out of their way to be welcoming at such times.
The question has been asked with regard what it means to accept communion from someone we don't recognize the process as sacramental.
Many here seem to think that it wrong to accept communion with Christians who wish to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus. If such an acceptance were required, I guess many here wouldn't receive in Naomi's church.
My BOTTOM LINE is that communion is the LORD'S TABLE, not the church's table. I find it strange to be invited over for fellowship and prayer, and then refuse to join them in the Feast of our Lord.
As far as I know, there is no Anglican rule that prohibits anyone from accepting communion in any other Protestant church.
And just BTW, I had the same attitude when I was attending the RCC. I explained that when I attended a Baptist or non-denominational service, I was attending a prayer service, bible study, with praise and worship. No one ever had any issues with this. And yes, at charismatic conferences, we did indeed have Presbyterians, Catholics, Anglicans and others all receiving at the same table. It was a bit awkward, but it was important for all of us to share the meal at the same table.
===================
JUST PERHAPS
we need to understand why we are Protestant in the first place, and not RCC, OO or EO. We recognize no pope with authority over us, and no patriarch with power over us. We recognize the authority of the local church. And, yes, we are one of the Protestant churches that recognize the authority of bishops.
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- Jan 29, 2010
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This is NOT the question of this thread, but I guess we are discussing it anyway.
The Roman Catholic Church has not excommunicated me, no matter what gurney thinks. For a Roman Catholic to become an Anglican does not involve a sacramental act by the Anglican Church. I was baptized in the Baptist Church and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church. Obviously, I would not receive at any RCC where I was not welcomed.
TO ME, rerceivng communion in an apostolic church is to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. I understand that there are lots of man-made rules and regulations regarding the competition between churches for membership in the same area. TO ME, that is NOT what THE Church is all about.
I am reminded of the "Joshua" series by Father Girzone, where the local bishops got together and formed a joint diocese: RCC, Anglican, EO and Methodist. This type of ecumenism is happening among many Protestants, including the TEC which has a full-communion agreement with the ELCA.
BTW, I would not receive in an EO church unless invited by the priest. As I understand the EO, this sitaution would not happen.
=======================================
A CLOSING QUESTION
In Benedictine monastaries, do Anglicans not receive when a Roman Catholic is presiding at Mass? Do Roman Catholics not receive when an Anglican is presiding at Mass?
The Roman Catholic Church has not excommunicated me, no matter what gurney thinks. For a Roman Catholic to become an Anglican does not involve a sacramental act by the Anglican Church. I was baptized in the Baptist Church and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church. Obviously, I would not receive at any RCC where I was not welcomed.
TO ME, rerceivng communion in an apostolic church is to receive the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. I understand that there are lots of man-made rules and regulations regarding the competition between churches for membership in the same area. TO ME, that is NOT what THE Church is all about.
I am reminded of the "Joshua" series by Father Girzone, where the local bishops got together and formed a joint diocese: RCC, Anglican, EO and Methodist. This type of ecumenism is happening among many Protestants, including the TEC which has a full-communion agreement with the ELCA.
BTW, I would not receive in an EO church unless invited by the priest. As I understand the EO, this sitaution would not happen.
=======================================
A CLOSING QUESTION
In Benedictine monastaries, do Anglicans not receive when a Roman Catholic is presiding at Mass? Do Roman Catholics not receive when an Anglican is presiding at Mass?
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Adam Warlock
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And once more we see that it always comes back to Gurney. No matter what anyone else says, believes, or does, it's all about Gurney and his personal choice.
LOL.
A local Catholic parish IS UNDER AUTHORITY, whether you recognize it or not. If they offer to do something that 1) you know they're not supposed to offer, and 2) you know you're not supposed to do, it doesn't take a genius to realize that "no" is the correct response. When I say this or others say it, we are ignored. When Gurney says it, he is singled out. Again.
Rome doesn't see the local church as quite so high an authority as "we" do, so it is appropriate to follow Rome's wishes when we are GUESTS in their church. But hey - what do I know. And besides, since it's Gurney's "personal choice" to believe it, it must be wrong on STR. Sigh.
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