Closed communion
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Part of a series on the |
Eucharist |
---|
Closed communion is the practice of restricting the serving of the elements of
A closed-communion church is one that excludes certain individuals (it specifically identifies) from receiving the
Churches which practice open communion allow all Christians to partake in the Lord's Supper, with membership in a particular Christian community not required to receive bread and wine; this in contrast to pre-Reformation churches, which hold that what is received in their celebrations ceases to be bread and wine.
Practice
Roman Catholic Church
The
"Even though some may not receive sacramental communion, all are united in some way with the Holy Spirit. The traditional idea of spiritual communion is an important one to remember and reaffirm. The invitation often given at Mass to those who may not receive sacramental communion - for example, children before their First Communion and adults who are not Catholics - to receive a ‘blessing’ at the moment of Communion emphasises that a deep spiritual communion is possible even when we do not share together the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ”. —Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales (2005)[15]
This blessing giving to those who are not communing is a short prayer, with the following being prescribed by the Auckland Diocesan Liturgy Office: “May the Lord bless you. Amen.” or “May the Love of God be in your heart. Amen.” or “May Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you. Amen.”[16]
The Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism warns that "due consideration should be given to the discipline of the Eastern Churches for their own faithful and any suggestion of proselytism should be avoided."
Other Western Christians under the jurisdiction of other episcopal conferences are limited by stricter conditions. Those who do personally share Catholic belief in the Eucharist (as the body and blood of the risen Christ, accompanied by his soul and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine) are permitted to receive the sacrament when there is danger of death or, in the judgment of the diocesan bishop or of the episcopal conference, some other grave necessity urges it and on condition that "the person be unable to have recourse for the sacrament to a minister of his or her own Church or ecclesial Community, ask for the sacrament of his or her own initiative, manifest Catholic faith in the sacrament and be properly disposed".[23][24]
Exceptions do occur, however.
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Eastern Orthodox Church, comprising 14 to 16 autocephalous Orthodox hierarchical churches, is even more strictly a closed-communion Church. Thus, a member of the Russian Orthodox Church attending the Divine Liturgy in a Greek Orthodox Church will be allowed to receive communion and vice versa but, although Protestants, non-Trinitarian Christians, or Catholics may otherwise fully participate in an Orthodox Divine Liturgy, they will be excluded from communion. In the strictest sense, non-Orthodox may be present at the Divine Liturgy only up to the exclamation "The doors! The doors!" and ought to leave the church after that. However, this attitude has been relaxed in most Orthodox churches; a non-communicant may stay and participate in the Divine Liturgy but may not partake of the Eucharist.[30] Thus, while in certain circumstances the Catholic Church allows its faithful who cannot approach a Catholic minister to receive the Eucharist from an Eastern Orthodox priest, the Eastern Orthodox Church does not admit them to receive the Eucharist from its ministers. At the very end of the Divine Liturgy, all people are invited to come up to receive a little piece of bread, called antidoron, which is blessed but not consecrated, being taken from the same loaf as the bread used in the consecration. Non-Orthodox present at the Liturgy are not only permitted but even encouraged to receive the blessed bread as an expression of Christian fellowship and love.
The Eastern Orthodox Church is not in Communion with the Roman Church, nor is it in Communion with any Protestant denominational church. Eastern Orthodox Christians are forbidden from receiving Communion in any church other than Eastern Orthodox. Eastern Orthodox Churches accept to Holy Communion only baptized Eastern Orthodox Christians (such as
Lutheran Churches
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest Lutheran Church in America, however, does not practice closed communion, but rather "eucharistic hospitality."[40] In terms of guests receiving the Sacrament, according to this practice, the burden of decision of admittance to the Sacrament is not on the host congregation, but on its guests. The invitation to the Sacrament is extended to "all baptized persons," along with "a brief written or oral statement in worship which teaches Christ's presence in the sacrament." In terms of members receiving the Sacrament, reception of the Sacrament is always to include "continuing catechesis [which] include[s] instruction for Holy Communion," but this is not a prerequisite for first communion, and even infants may be permitted to receive the Sacrament at or after the service of their baptism.[40][41]
Those not communing are invited to come forward with their "arms crossed across their chest" in order to receive a blessing from the priest.[42]
Many Lutheran churches restrict the allowance to commune to those who are validly baptized (usually understood to be all trinitarian baptisms done with the intent of bringing the baptized into the church catholic), but with no further restrictions beyond that. Major examples of this include the Nordic lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden[43]
Baptists
Some
The closed communion practiced by Primitive Baptists admits participation by Primitive Baptists who do not belong to the local church.[44]
Other groups
The
Churches of Christ, though doctrinally holding to a closed communion view, in practice do not prohibit visitors from taking communion, on the view that per 1 Corinthians 11:28 the visitor must "examine himself" and decide to partake or decline (i.e. it is not for the minister, elders/deacons, or members to decide who may or may not partake); thus, it is more a form of open communion.
Latter Day Saints
"Close Communion"
Among the modern descendants of the
The term close communion normally means the same thing as closed communion. However, some make a distinction, so the terms can be a source of confusion.
The most prominent distinction (which in some circles may be called "cracked communion") is one where a member of a congregation holding the "same faith and practice" as the hosting congregation (generally meaning being a member of a congregation in the same or a similar denomination) may participate in the service, but a member of another denomination may or may not.
For example, a Southern Baptist congregation practicing close communion:
- would allow a member of another Southern Baptist congregation to participate, on the premise that both congregations are of the "same faith and practice" as they are both in the same denomination, and
- would (most likely) also allow a member of an Independent Baptist congregation to participate; though the congregations are of different Baptist groups the differences between them are mainly in the area of church organization and not in doctrinal issues, thus falling under the "same faith and practice" rule, and also
- might or might not allow a member of a Pentecostal church to participate (might on the basis of both having similar views on salvation and the Lord's Supper, but might not due to other significant differences), but
- would almost certainly exclude a Lutheran or Catholic, on the basis that Baptists and Lutherans/Catholics are not of the "same faith and practice" as pertaining to the Lord's Supper.[48]
- In practice, churches that do not require people to approach a communion table usually pass the elements among the attendees (similar to the offering plate) or provide them ahead of time in a self-serve manner, and as such do not actively prohibit anyone who wishes to partake from doing so, regardless of personal views.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Australia allows communion to those who can assent to the first three terms of its church covenants, and discuss this with the elders ahead of time. They don't appear to distinguish the term "close communion" from "closed communion", though.[original research?]
The earliest use of close communion comes from a mistranslation of the Lutheran theologian Franz August Otto Pieper's Christian Dogmatics. The term has since spread, although both the first edition and later translations corrected the error to "closed communion."[49]
Supporting belief
Complex reasons underlie the belief. In 1 Corinthians 10, it is written: "The chalice of benediction which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord? For we, being many, are one bread, one body: all that partake of one bread." Since all Christians are now no longer of a unity that would allow common celebration of the Eucharist between them all, the bread being a visible sign of union, communion is not taken together between separated Churches and communities. Additionally as described in 1 Corinthians 11:29: "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." It is deemed better to prevent outsiders from taking communion than to risk them taking communion "unworthily". Catholics thus see the communion as sinful for those who do not recognise the
Corporate responsibility is another argument often used in favour of closed communion. The Heidelberg Catechism, for example, says that those who "by confession and life, declare themselves unbelieving and ungodly" are not to be admitted to the Lord's Supper, for then "the covenant of God would be profaned, and his wrath kindled against the whole congregation." Church leaders are obliged to do all they can to ensure that this does not happen, and hence "exclude such persons... till they show amendment of life," (Q & A 82).
Fenced table
In Protestant theology, a fenced table is a communion table which is open only to accredited members of the Christian community. Fencing the table is thus the opposite of open communion, where the invitation to the sacrament is extended to "all who love the Lord" and members of any denomination are welcome at their own discretion.
The phrase goes back to early Scottish Calvinism, where the communion table literally had a fence around it, with a gate at each end. The members of the congregation were allowed to pass the gate on showing their communion token, a specially minted coin which served as an admission ticket and was given only to those who were in good standing with the local congregation and could pass a test of the catechism. Examples of this kind of church furnishing are still to be seen in a very few highland churches.
The phrase "fencing the table" is also used metaphorically for other kinds of group demarcation and restrictive practices.
Communion tokens
Many Scottish Protestant churches used to give tokens to members passing a religious test prior to the day of communion, then required the token for entry. Some US and other churches also used communion tokens.
See also
- Open communion
- Sister Churches (ecclesiology)
References
- ^ "Significance of the Eucharist". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "The Eucharist - historical development". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Significance of the Eucharist - in Roman Catholicism". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Significance of the Eucharist - in Eastern Orthodoxy". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ "Significance of the Eucharist - in Protestantism". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Murphy, Caryle (18 April 1998). "RULES OF COMMUNION AS VARIED AS CHURCHES". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
- ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 844 §2 Archived December 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 844 §3 Archived December 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Communion of Non-Catholics or Intercommunion". Ewtn.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
- ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 844 §2 and Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 671 §2
- ^ John Breck (1996). "Why Not "Open Communion"?". Orthodox Church in America. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
On the other hand, the Orthodox Churches, united above all by their Eucharistic faith and practice, accept to communion only baptized Orthodox Christians, and then, theoretically, only when they have prepared themselves by prayer, by appropriate fasting, and—in most traditions—by confession of sins. In addition, Orthodox bishops and other teachers make clear to their faithful that they can only properly receive communion from a canonically ordained priest or bishop within the context of the traditional Orthodox Divine Liturgy (which includes communion taken to the sick).
- U.S. Catholic. Claretians. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
- ISBN 9781589795945. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
In order to make clear who may receive Communion, it can be good to include a reminder in the wedding booklet that only practising Catholics may receive Communion, but that all others who so wish are invited to come forward to receive a blessing, indicating this desire by crossing their arms over their chest. The priest celebrant too can mention this before Communion.
- ^ Mass & Communion Etiquette. Holy Family Catholic Church. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
Those who are not Catholic and cannot receive Holy Communion are welcome to come forward with the rest of the congregation during the Communion period with their arms crossed over their chest and receive a blessing. (Catholics who are not properly disposed, in a state of mortal sin or have not been to confession in at least a year should not receive Communion either. But they may also come forward for a blessing.)
- ^ "When a Catholic church is the only church in a village". Churches Together in England. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ Duffy, Mervyn (28 February 2014). "Asking for a Blessing instead of Communion". Marist Messenger. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, 125
- ^ Wimmer, Anian Christoph (22 February 2018). "German bishops discuss intercommunion of Lutheran, Catholic spouses". Crux. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ "German bishops discuss intercommunion of Lutheran, Catholic spouses". Catholic News Agency. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ "German bishops allow Protestant spouses to partake in communion". La Croix. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- The Lutheran World Federation. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
- ^ a b Wimmer, Anian Christoph (6 July 2018). "German bishop issues open invitation to Protestant spouses at Communion". Catholic News Agency.
- ^ Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism, 131
- ^ Code of Canon Law, canon 844 §4 and Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, canon 671 §4 Archived December 21, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Packman, Andrew. "Table Manners: Unexpected Grace at Communion". The Christian Century. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- America Magazine. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
Brother Roger also received communion several times from the hands of Pope John Paul II, who had become friends with him from the days of the Second Vatican Council and who was well acquainted with his personal journey with respect to the Catholic Church. In this sense, there was nothing secret or hidden in the attitude of the Catholic Church, neither at Taizé or in Rome. During the funeral of Pope John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger only repeated what had already been done before him in Saint Peter's Basilica, at the time of the late Pope.
- ^ The Catholic World Report, Volume 15. Ignatius Press. 2005.
During the funeral for Pope John Paul II, Brother Roger himself received Communion directly from then-Cardinal Ratzinger.
- ^ John L. Allen Jr. (11 August 2010). "Another tribute for Taizé from the Vatican". National Catholic Reporter. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
Brother Roger received communion several times from the hands of Pope John Paul II, who had become friends with him from the days of the Second Vatican Council, and who was well acquainted with his personal journey with respect to the Catholic Church.
- ^ Tagliabue, John (24 August 2005). "At His Funeral, Brother Roger Has an Ecumenical Dream Fulfilled". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ Timothy Ware, "The Orthodox Church" 1963.
- ^ "WELS Topical Q&A: Close communion and membership".
- ^ WELS Topical Q&A: Romans 16:17 - What Kind of Warning Is This?, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
- ^ "Closed Communion" @ www.lcms.org. Retrieved 2010-01-17. [dead link]
- Archive.org
- ^ "Holy Communion - A Guide for Visitors". Princeofpeaceyuma.com. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
- ^ Christian Encyclopedia: Unionism. Retrieved 2014-06-21.
- ^ "Need help explaining simply to Catholic the closed communion". WELS Topical Q&A. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Archived from the original on 28 September 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "Communion - Both "close" and "closed"". Forward in Christ. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 29 Jan 2015.
- ^ "Fellowship and Worship principles". WELS Topical Q&A. Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Retrieved 29 Jan 2015.
- ^ a b Use of the Means of Grace: A Statement on the Practice of Word and Sacrament, ELCA, 1997).
- ^ At what age do ELCA congregations allow members their first Communion?. Retrieved 2010-01-17.
- ^ Lathrop, Gordon W. (2017). "How do we bless Roman Catholic or other ecumenical guests who feel they cannot come to communion?" (PDF). Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
- ^ "Nattvarden".
- ^ "Why Primitive Baptists Practice Closed Communion". Marchtozion.com. 2010-05-19. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
- ^ R. J. George. "Close Communion". American Presbyterian Church. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
- ^ "Oneness Pentecostalism". Cerm.info. Archived from the original on 2018-06-25. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
- ^ "Can nonmembers take the sacrament?". churchofjesuschrist.org. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
- ^ Finn, Nathan (September 2006). "Baptism as a Prerequisite to the Lord's Supper" (PDF). The Center for Theological Research. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-04.
- ^ Text from Minister to Minister, Sept. 1997 - Gerald Kieschnick, President Texas District Archived 2007-02-06 at the Wayback Machine
External links
Lutheran perspective
- A closer look at close communion - Confessional Lutheran perspective
- Close Communion: Its Basis and Practice, a Confessional Lutheran view, by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library
- What about Fellowship Official Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod statement regarding closed/close communion
- The Biblical Practice of Closed Communion (PDF) - a Lutheran church-Missouri Synod view
Apostolic Christian Church perspective
Eastern Orthodox perspective
Baptist perspective
- The Case for Closed Communion
- Covenant Communion - a variation of the Closed Communion emphasis
Anabaptist perspective
Reformed perspective
- Close Communion - American Presbyterian view
- Terms of Communion - Reformed Presbyterian / Associate Presbyterian / United Presbyterian views