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Question
Hi,
My brother is Catholic and a British Citizen living in the UK. He is due to marry his girlfriend, who is a U.S. citizen in the U.S. when the visa is granted, and then live there. She is Episcopalian and her family are very devout. My question is, if he gets permission to marry in a Catholic church in the U.S. and goes ahead with it, can her Episcopal family still have Holy Communion at the Wedding?
I have seen the Episcopal service in her church and it is very similar, but my brother is concerned that the priest may invite all non-Catholics up for a blessing instead of the Holy Sacramant and they will all be very hurt and disappointed.
I'd be grateful for any guidance you may give.
Many thanks,
Ben.
Hi, Ben:
Thanks for the question.
The matter of Episcopalians not receiving Holy Communion at a Catholic Church has nothing to do with any wedding ceremony. Episcopalians do not receive the Holy Sacrament at a Catholic Church because it would go contrary to their belief in which they reject full communion with the See of Peter, the Holy Father, the Pope. If they wish to become Catholics in full communion with the Pope, then they could certainly receive and manifest this union in the outward manner of Catholics. But, as it is, they are Episcopalians. This means that they do not receive Holy Communion in a Catholic Eucharistic celebration. They need to respect the Catholic Church's teachings on what is is to be a Catholic, just as the Catholic Church respects the belief and decisions of Episcopalians to reject full communion with the Catholic Church. This matter really has nothing to do with whether somebody's feelings are hurt, or feelings of dosappointment.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Answers by Expert:
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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