we will be on a Greek island without a Catholic church on a Sunday:His response to a touchy subject is both accurate and charitably worded. Some of the comments are worth a glance as well.
can we attend the Greek mass and/or receive the Sacrament?
In a nutshell, while visitors are (almost) always welcome we do not commune those who are not members in good standing of the Orthodox Church. This is not done out of snobbery or triumphalism but rather out of concern first for the spiritual welfare of the communicant (and the priest). And secondly out of regard for communion being a sign of full agreement on all substantive points of doctrine and faith. Such, sadly does not exist with the Roman Catholic Church. And while Catholics are permitted in certain situations by their church's law to commune in non-Catholic church's, provided that they have "valid" sacraments, this policy is not reciprocated in our Church. Nor may an Orthodox Christian commune in a Catholic church.
I take it that this policy is followed in the Middle East.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there some variability among the different Orthodox jurisdictions on these questions?
ReplyDeleteThe only exception that I am aware of is in parts of Lebanon and Syria the local Orthodox and Maronite Catholics occasionally look the other way over inter-communion for ancient and cultural reasons. Also there is a lot of intermarriage there. There is still no concelebration and the policy is strictly unofficial. But it is tolerated in some parishes.
ReplyDeleteMost often, I attend a Maronite, Melkite and Arab Romans. Many of them inter-communion. An Orthodox woman I know receives communion at an Eastern Rite parish. There is a lot of looking the other way among the Catholics and Orthodox from Lebanon and Syria.Many have told me that there is no problem among the people but with those that run the Churches.
ReplyDeleteThere is also allowed communion for Oriental Coptic Orthodox at Antiochian Eastern Orthodox parishes, but again this is the exception not the rule And the Orientals have not been as Ecumenical. This is not to say that the situation is exactly the same. Eastern and Oriental are commonly Orthodox while the Roman Catholic church has less in common and more to be rectified before being afforded the same position. No offense intended.
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