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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 4/9/2009


Question
Dear Fr. Johnson,

I was confirmed in the Church of England, but will be attending a Catholic funeral mass for my Grandad next week.  When the blessed sacrament is offered, am I permitted to receive the bread and wine?

I have never attended a Catholic funeral as an adult, so I have made efforts to research the ceremony.  I want to ensure that I understand the order of service and the meaning of the rites, but this is something that remains unclear to me.

I look forward to receiving your guidance.

Answer
Hi, Marc:
Thanks for the question.
If your Grandfather's funeral takes place within the context of the celebration of the Holy Eucharist (Mass), the same general principle applies as in all cases between Roman Catholic and Anglican: It would not be appropriate for you to approach and receive the Sacred Host (or from the Chalice) for Holy Communion.
I commend you for your understanding of the Catholic Theology behind the Rite of the Mass itself, and I would encourage yet further study; nevertheless, the fact stands that Members of the Anglican Communion are not in full Communion with the Roman Catholic Church, under the Authority of the Pope, Successor of St. Peter.  Due to the fact of this defect in full and perfect ecclesiastical communion, which is manifest both physically and spiritually, reception of Holy Communion at a Catholic Mass by one not in full communion with the Catholic Tradition and Authority structure of the Catholic Church constituted by Christ would communicate a false and confusing message, and be a scandal.  It would be like saying: Really I am not a Catholic, but I can pick and choose when I will pretend like I am in full communion with the Catholic Church in the public eye.
Of course should you be moved some day toward reception into full communion with the Catholic Church, then I would fully commend, support and congratulate you in this matter.
Blessed Holy Week and Easter to you!

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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