EUCHARISTIC SHARING FOR INTERCHURCH FAMILIES
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC POSITION IN OUTLINE
The documents:
- Vatican II Decree on Ecumenism 1964
- Code of Canon Law 1983
- Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism 1993
- Encyclical Ut Unum Sint, 1995
- Common Declaration of Pope John Paul Il and the Archbishop of Canterbury 1996
Eucharistic sharing is NOT ONLY PERMITTED BUT POSITIVELY COMMENDED
- in certain circumstances of serious spiritual need (Code, Directory)
- of great desire (UUS)
- by way of exception in particular cases
- under certain conditions
What are the CIRCUMSTANCES where there may be serious need /great desire?
- those in danger of death (Code)
- those who share the sacraments of baptism and marriage (couple/family need added by Directory)
- bishops can identify others
By way of exception in certain CASES
- always applies to particular cases
- pastoral application to particular people
(RC tradition of epikeia and other pastoral principles)
Under certain CONDITIONS
- cannot ask own minister for communion
- there must be a request
- manifest Catholic faith in the eucharist
- be properly disposed
WHO IS TO DECIDE on admission?
- Episcopal Conferences/diocesan bishops are to prepare guidelines (after consultation with other churches)
- Catholic minister decides in particular cases (in accordance with bishops' guidelines or the Directory where there are none)
SOME APPLICATIONS OF THE CODE AND THE DIRECTORY
- The French Bishops, 1983 (following the Code)
- The Archbishop of Brisbane's Pastoral Guidelines, 1995 (following the Directory)
- The German Bishops' Ecumenical Commission, 1997 (repeated in Austria by the Archbishop of Vienna for his archdiocese, 1997)
- The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference: Ecumenical Directory, 2003