Comments on: What exactly is the difference between Catholic and Lutheran belief in communion? They sound pretty alike to me.

By: Tara

Tara — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:13:59 +0000

I grew up catholic and I believe that catholics are welcome to visit and take communion from other churches. I dont believe they think it is a sin.

By: Steph

Steph — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 07:22:24 +0000

I believe it’s a mortal sin for Catholics to receive communion in another church. I did not take communion with the Lutherans until I had decided that I was not Catholic anymore.

By: cathyf

cathyf — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:18:49 +0000

Lutherans welcome baptized Christians to communion at there services, obviously that would include Catholics. What is the Catholic Church’s position on Catholics receiving communion at a Lutheran service?

By: Mike Hayes

Mike Hayes — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:56:45 +0000

Martha and Jordan…exactly right.

Jordan…canon law would give the hierarchy the right to determine what is in Catholic tradition obviously, but I think you’re asking how the church would determine when someone who is outside of Catholicism is actually on the communion line? I would say that they don’t really know unless they self-identify in some way. And that’s the point–we are self-identifying as Catholics and sending others a sign that we are “in communion” with that particular tradition.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:04:57 +0000

That’s a good question Martha. From what I see it has to do with anyone who receives communion at a Roman Catholic Mass, must believe everything the Catholic Church teaches. Since Lutherans do not in the infallibility of the pope… they cannot. Now my question is, where does the church derive the authority to determine who does and does not receive communion?

By: Martha

Martha — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:55:16 +0000

So, from what I’m reading, a lot of the beliefs of Catholics and Lutherans about communion are very similar, if not the same. Then why do Catholics not allow Lutherans (or any other religions) to take communion during Mass?

By: Eugene A. Koene

Eugene A. Koene — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 17:38:54 +0000

As an “evangelical catholic” Lutheran minister, I commend most of what is stated in the above article. Some clarification is needed on a few points. While it is true that Lutherans do not practice a particular devotion toward the reserved Sacrament, many parishes today do have a tabernacle or ambrey in which both the consecrated elements of bread and wine are reserved, primarily for the communion of the sick and homebound. While the primary emphasis falls on the presence of Christ’s body and blood in the actual celebration and reception by the gathered communicants, it is not denied that the real presence endures beyond that time and space so long as the act is completed by the actual reception of coommunion (in home, hospital, wherever). In these instances it is often customary to repeat the words of institution, not as (re-)consecration, but simply to confirm Christ’s words of promise to the individual communicant. — I must also take some issue with my fellow-Lutheran Mike’s comment on prayers for the dead. While Lutherans do not accept the mediaeval Roman concept of purgatory, our official doctrinal statements from the 16th century do allow for the continuance of the ancient tradition of some form of prayer for the dead. Under other Protestant influence, many Lutherans have rejected prayer for the dead, but the older understanding is being revived today. We prayerfully commend the deceased to God’s eternal love and mercy, also recognizing that what happens at death remains in the realm of mystery, until we see Christ face to face. Increasingly also the Eucharist is offered at the time of death, as a thanksgiving for the grace of Christ’s redemption in the life of the deceased person. — I think many of us could also affirm the more nuanced views on purgatory offered by some modern Roman Catholic theologians.

By: G. Miguel

G. Miguel — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:14:26 +0000

Nice article–Just to make my experience complete, I found the following answer to your question on The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod website (www.lcms.org):
“At the risk of oversimplication, let me say briefly the following. Roman Catholics share with Lutherans a belief in the real presence of Christ’s true body and blood in the elements of the Sacrament [of the Eucharist or Lord’s Supper]. However, disagreements have existed historically on whether or how the mystery of Christ’s presence can be explained. Catholics explain the Real Presence through their doctrine of transubstantiation.
Lutherans reject such an attempt to explain the Real Presence and insist that we must adhere to the simple words of Christ and be content to believe them as a divine mystery beyond human comprehension or explanation. In addition, longstanding differences exist regarding the Catholic position on the Eucharist as a sacrifice. Lutherans have rejected any understanding of the Lord’s Supper as a sacrificial act on our part, holding that it is purely God’s gift through which He acts to impart His forgiveness and strength to communicants. With respect to Baptists, usually Baptists understanding the Lord’s Supper as a symbolic act, including the elements of bread and wine as symbolizing Christ’s presence–in contrast to the Lutheran position that Christ’s true body and blood are present in, with, and under the external elements of bread and wine.”
Pax tecum.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:30:55 +0000

I am Lutheran and we do NOT pray FOR the dead. It is our belief that, once a person has died, their eternal state is final. No prayer can raise them out of hell, and no prayer is needed in Heaven.

Other than this one point, the article is very interesting and I enjoyed reading it.